Department of the Army, Nike I Systems: Nike IRound Launching Area and Assembly Area Equipment (TM9-5000^1) (Army Headquarters: April 1956), 27. (Left) Canine kennel Nike Missile Base SL-40 Guard dogs were an integral part of the security measures taken at Nike installations. 25. The Nike system brought together an array of antiaircraft, missile, computer, and radar elements. Gleason Nike Missile Site LA-04." HAER No. Underground Launching Equipment (ST 44-161-31). John Newhouse, War and Peace in the Nuclear Age (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1989), 110. Brenda Chandler decided to bring her family to the site just to get a glimpse of history before it's sold. " The Army then determined the number of Nike installations required to effectively deny enemy penetration. "[99], Following the system tests, the crew performed a complete missile test.
Water Treatment/Sewage Facilities: Typical of all Nike missile installations, Nike Missile Base C-84 and SL-40 both had their own water treatment and sewage facilities. (Right) Opposite Page, Right: Acid Fueling Station. [121] The Government Services Administration released the site to the Department of Health. In February 1946, the Air Force awarded Boeing, together with the University of Michigan, the design contract for BOMARC. This first-generation weapon was designed to intercept a single bomber. In June 1945, the Rocket Branch of the Army Corps (co-sponsored by a division of the Army and Air Force) assumed full responsibility for Project Nike, and named Western Electric and Bell Laboratories as the prime contractors for development of the radar system. An emergency escape hatch provided direct access to the outside. In the ensuing arms race, both superpowers developed new weapons systems in a seemingly endless competition.
On August 16, 1968, the Army announced the deactivation of 23 Nike Hercules bases nationwide, including those in the St. Louis Defense Area. Prost, Oliver P., Comptroller, U.S. Army Engineer District, Chicago. Vollendorff, R.E., Colonel, GS Office, Chief of Legislative Liaison, to Honorable Marguerite Stitt Church, U.S. House of Representatives, December 28. The St. Louis County Board of Elections Headquarters was buzzing election night as the votes came in for this race and others. (Left) Barracks. 92. Other trailers were used for spare parts, maintenance, and antenna equipment. a significant improvement over the Nike Hercules HIPAR system. The High Power Acquisition Radar (HIPAR) built by General Electric was also an important component of the Improved Hercules system. Designed to serve as the last line of defense for American citizens, Nike installations encircled major metropolitan centers throughout the United States.
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE), an Air Force command and control system, received all data from these radar networks. [63], The battery control area of each Nike installation, containing the guidance and control equipment, was between a minimum of one-half mile and a maximum of three miles from the associated launching area. Commanders learned the overall operation of the missile system and their responsibilities. A new missile could be launched approximately 11 seconds after the bursting or abandonment of the previous missile. In 1956-1957, the 13th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion — which earlier had been part of the Chicago defense system of 90mm and 120mm antiaircraft guns — was headquartered at Nike Missile Base C- 54 (Orland Park), and served as a Nike-Ajax battalion. [53] With the increasing speed of enemy aircraft and ballistic missiles, every extra moment was essential. The bases were built under the supervision of the Chicago District of the Army Corps of Engineers. Gunston, Bill. However, Base C-84 was not converted. In some cases they have been sold to the public, and converted into private homes or commercial spaces, offering the opportunity to live or work in a truly secure location. [64], Despite the reduced real estate requirements that resulted from the conversion to underground launchers, Nike installations fell behind schedule because of public opposition. [71] Prior to the construction of Nike bases to defend the Chicago area, antiaircraft artillery battalions, armed with 120mm and 90mm guns, were already present in and around Chicago. 99. There were two types of inspections. 73. Army Ground Forces also remained responsible for providing the technical training of antiaircraft units. The weak and dependent Germans were unable to support themselves. Hence, negotiation would have little effect towards resolving problems. Ibid., and Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc., Gainesville, Florida, Historical Overview of the Nike Missile System (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency, December 1984). Volume I. Dumfries, VA: Wyvern Publications, 1991. New York, New York In general, the Battery Control Area was located on higher terrain that was relatively level and well-drained. While the United Nations debated the crisis, President Truman used aerial transport to bring fuel and food to the desperate Berliners in "Operation Vittles."
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As he tells it, he met a retired Illinois state trooper and they somehow got to chatting about the Skokie lagoons, which happen to lie near Ian’s residence in Winnetka. The two tracking radars fed target and missile position data into a computer located in the battery control trailer. The United States and the Origins of the Cold War, 1941-1947.
"Mt. Through 1959, Nike Missile Base C-84 served as this battalion's Battery D. Battery A was located at Nike Missile Base C-49 (Home- wood); Battery C was at Nike Missile Base C- 46 (Munster, Indiana). The Mid-Canada Line was about 600 miles to the south, built and manned by Canada, and used Doppler detection equipment. As each successive generation of Nike missile became more sophisticated, so did the radar systems. ibid., 11-24. Redstone Arsenal, Alabama: U.S. Army Ordnance Missile Command, June 30, 1959.
So what good are they?”, Nike leaves Chicago, but she takes her time. Milwaukee, Wisconsin However, since these other bases converted to Nike Hercules missiles, they remained active until 1971. Office of History, Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Pocock, Rowland F. AMSE. Berhow explains a lot of the Nike sites purchased in the late 1940s and early 1950s sat on government land.
The Center for Military History, Washington, D.C. Other buildings include the shop, pump house and generator building. Typical of most Nike base buildings, the ready building was a vernacular, one-story structure with cinder-block walls. Military installations, particularly Cold War sites, present unique challenges to historians and preservationists. These missiles were adopted in 1963. Executive Producer: Mert Koplin. Ibid., 371. The needed land was both costly and scarce, particularly if it was in or near metropolitan areas—the primary locations for Nike bases.[60]. However, the act failed to adequately define the roles and missions of the departments. During World War II, disputes over the timing of the invasion of France, and differing visions of the shape of postwar Europe exacerbated these tensions. 2.
In lake front cities like Chicago the defense must cut across the "diameter" of the circle, the lake shore. Although some have been adaptively reused; most have been demolished or are in deteriorated condition. The Army also conducted live firing exercises in Okinawa, for Nike crews stationed in the Far East. In preparation for this test, crewmen connected the missile to an external source of hydraulic power and to the radio frequency and electrical test sets.
When the elevator was raised, the missile and booster on the elevator could be pushed from the elevator launcher onto the satellite launchers. The boosters that bounce them into the air are big enough to do damage when they fall to the ground, and so are the Nikes themselves...[68]. Hydraulic power operated the elevator, and the doors were supplied by an elevator assembly power unit in the magazine room. Throughout this time, Scott Air Force Base (SL-20) served as the battalion headquarters. Until recently, Nike Missile Base C-84 near the Chicago suburb of Barrington, Illinois, served as an archival repository for Lake County; the records were stored in one of the three underground missile storage areas. Battery A was located at Nike Missile Base C-70 (Naperville); Battery C was at Base C-51.[75]. [35], In May 1945, Bell Laboratories presented a verbal report to the Army on "Project Nike" (named after the winged goddess of victory in Greek mythology).
Direct 60-cycle power was used for the elevator.
"Certain Mileposts Re Nike Site New Lake Zurich." When the elevator was in its lowered position, the missile crew pushed a missile and booster from the storage racks onto the launcher on the elevator. Ibid., 52; and Barnard, 27. 27. Two weeks after his complaints were printed, the Defense Department informed Karsten that it was asking the Army to resurvey the St. Louis defenses. The Cold War left its monumental imprint across Russia which are still visible to this day. Indeed, this policy allowed the United States to "get tough with Russia" without building an enormous military structure.
But you can get a more local flavor, too, albeit in various states of ruin. Austin, Texas In addition, Army tacticians determined the number of missiles required at each site, evaluating such factors as prevailing climate conditions, technical support, crew proficiency, terrain difficulties, and maintenance schedules. [81] Based on the information available, Karsten's arguments proved effective. William O'Neill, American High: The Years of Confidence, 1945-1960 (New York: The Free Press, 1986), 66. Other recent and/or ongoing Cold War projects include the HAER documentation of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Colorado), the Glenn L. Martin Company Titan Missile Test Site (Colorado), the Oscar One Minuteman Missile Site (Missouri), and a Strategic Air Command aircraft alert facility (Missouri).