What does Nike site mean?
As an example Nike Site SF-88L refers to the launcher area (L) of the battery located in the northwestern part (88) of the San Francisco Defense Area (SF). During the early-to-mid-1960s the Nike Ajax batteries were upgraded to the Hercules system.
How many Nike missile sites were there in the United States?
300 Nike missile sites
During the tense years of the Cold War, from 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated close to 300 Nike missile sites in the United States. These sites were designed to be the last line of defense against H-Bomb carrying Soviet bombers that had eluded the Air Force’s interceptor jet aircrafts.
Are there Nike missile bases in Connecticut?
Leftover traces of the approximately 265 Nike missile bases can still be seen around cities across the United States, including 12 in Connecticut, some of which were equipped with nuclear-tipped Nike Hercules missiles, intended to shoot down entire bomber formations at once. Most of the Connecticut sites have been built over.
What happened to Nike’s air defense in Connecticut?
During June of that year, the East Windsor site and the Windsor Locks Tactical Site Support Facility Maintenance Shop, along with the Nike site in the Bridgeport region (Ansonia) were inactivated, marking the end of the Nike air defense in Connecticut.
What happened to the Nike missile site in Milford?
32 of 68 Eric Muth, of Milford, visits the former Nike missile site in Milford, Conn. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013. Muth worked there during his time in the Army and Army National Guard before the site was decommissioned. Autumn Driscoll Show More Show Less
Where is the Nike missile launch site in Westport?
65 of 68 Bedford Middle School athletic fields cover the location of the Nike missile site launch area off North Street in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Brian A. Pounds Show More Show Less 67 of 68 Athletic fields behind Staples High School in Westport, Conn. on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Brian A. Pounds Show More Show Less