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Web Site Bulletin Board
(and reunions)

No charge for posting most anything Nike, including:
- Items, Wanted or for Sale,
- People looking for people
(send me e-mail to add/modify/delete)
Tom Compton found a patch he wanted on e-bay :-)

Contents:

A Sad Day for Fort Bliss October 20,2009, from Bert Belfer CW3 US Army (retired)
Ed,

On my way back from Midland, Texas, on October 18, 2009 I ran into several flat-bed trailers in route to Fort Sill, OK. They were loaded with the history of Air Defense. Specifically, the remnants of what is left of a proud past. How sad to see those missiles leaving. My point is this... ADA started at Fort Bliss. It's history is at Fort Bliss, Not Fort Sill. I believe that if there is room for the Buffalo Soldier, there is room for ADA.

Bert Belfer
CW3 US Army (retired)

Ed replies - It seems a dopey waste of money and history - I guess the "Great Father" in Washington knows best???
Doyle Piland web master of Nike Ajax and Hercules Ordnance Support Units and volunteer historian at White Sands Missile Range
responds:
"This shouldn't come as a surprise, since we have know that it was going to happen since the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision in 2005. The only question was when they would get everything ready at Fort Sill and at Fort Bliss. The only thing that wasn't clear was if they were going to remove the Air Defense history from the Museum. The clear answer came when they started removing the missiles out in front of the Museum. That is what Bert saw going to Fort Sill.

It is hard to believe the amount of construction that is going on at Fort Bliss. If I recall correctly, they are in the process of building facilities for seven Heavy Brigade Combat Teams. They are building large areas of barracks, admin, maintenance, motor pools, etc. in what used to be desert north and northeast of old Biggs AFB. There is also lots of construction around what is now the PX and Commissary area and various other places on what used to be Fort Bliss main post.

The BRAC also moved a Combat Engineer Battalion to White Sands Missile Range and originally had a Heavy Brigade Combat Team going there too. That has since been changed for the Heavy Brigade Combat Teams, but the Engineers are already there in various temporary facilities and construction for the Battalion is ongoing. None of these moves makes any sense at all. I suppose that is why it is being done.

Doyle Piland

Mark Morgan, co-author of Rings of Supersonic Steel adds

To add to the proceedings, from what I remember of the BRAC decision, as part of the transition Fort Bliss loses its designation as US Army Air Defense Artillery Center while Fort Sill will no longer be known as the US Army Field Artillery Center. Sill will become the US Army Fires Center of Excellence, incorporating both the FA and ADA schools. MK

Mark Morgan
Manchester, MO (currently TDY, Alpena CRTC)

Ed T. replies - I read Scott Adams' Dilbert. "Center of Excellence"!! This is so - "over the top", or is it "under the bottom"? Is there a barf bag handy?
I'm getting too old - this is no longer funny to me - "Center of Excellence" - they have a "Center of Mediocrity" somewhere? Depressing!! This is like a grade school gag!!
I can't face this world - No wonder people take drugs - We pay people real money for this? And other people we pay listen and obey, with out giggling?
Surely you are teasing - please tell me this is a hoax -

Nike CT Reunion Aug 2009 from Eric Muth

Hi Dick,

It was my first, but the sixth annual Nike Reunion for CT Nike guys. On day 2 there was a formal dedication and memorial service at Camp Rell in Niantic. Installed there was a Nike Ajax missile, R-Cat and three large billboards with Nike info and some nice words for us guys too.

Most of us stayed at the same hotel where on the final night we had a banquet with entertainent. There were no rank games, as a matter of fact at my table were a retired MG and a bird Col. There was also a hospitality room providing snacks and bevereges all day long including wine and beer. Guys brought in their picture albums for all to view and they played CD's from all the past reunions on an ongoing basis.

Then the Cold War war stories. Some really interesting filler stuff, you know "the whole story" and others akin to fish stories like "the one that got away."

I was a Nike man [Ajax and Hercules] and what I saw at this reunion were not the Nike men I remembered though their names were the same. There were the blind, wheelchair, walker, and cane types and then those who were bald and wrinkled and some who had a pained walk. At some point it dawned on me that I fell into more than one of those catagories.

There were only a couple, like me, without their wives. The wives stories of El Paso, Ft. Bliss, and Juarez were almost as interesting as those of the guys. The next reunion will be held in New Orleons.

U.S. Nike sites [1955-1971] were a strong deterrant to thoughts of Soviet Aircraft deployment and did its part in achieving the Cold War victory, but like the Edgewood Volunteers their sacrifices have also been long forgotten, however, we continue to remember because we care.

the Air Defense Artillery School is moving to Fort Sill, Oklahoma posted April 21, 2009

Ron Pickinpaugh wrote Here’s the link:
(The End Of An Era, A New Beginning)

4 - 6 May 2009

Dear Guests,
After 41 years of residence here at Fort Bliss, Texas, the Air Defense Artillery School is moving to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Fort Bliss holds many fond memories for us “Air Defenders” and it is with mixed emotions that we depart. In anticipation of that move, we have planned a series of events to celebrate and recognize old comrades, share memories, and glimpse some of the amazing changes that have taken place here in the last few years. To commemorate our rich history, we will enjoy a black tie affair as well as observe the casing of our Colors. I cordially invite all members of the ADA community, past, present and future to join us in our festivities and to see the Air Defense Artillery School off in style. Very Respectfully,

HOWARD B. BROMBERG
Major General, US Army
Commanding

Action Officer Telephone Numbers: 915-568-3825/2711 (DSN 978)

Help - meanings of FUIF symbols posted Mar 8, 2009

Gaston Dessornes wrote
I am a former French Army fellow trained in Fort Bliss in 1958-1959 (and on the Hawk, years later) .
I am working on a project regarding the history of AAA from 1904 to today (Yes ! 100 years..) as applied to the French.
Regarding the NIKE, I am cornered by the AADCP symbols. My memory is failing and the few manuals I was able to find are not helping.
I have attached the picture of the LOPAR's PPI from a manual.
Also symbols "7" is a complete mystery.

Would someone be able to help me?
Best regards.
Gaston Dessornes


click to enlarge
This is Ed Thelen, host. On March 23, 2009, Chuck Zellers found the answer in http://www.ed-thelen.org/MMS-150-Ch02.pdf page 25-26. Thanks much

162nd Ord Det and 5/6 ADAS is having a Reunion Oct 19-21, 2009 all vets welcome - posted Feb 5, 2009 updated Feb 23, 2009

REUNION: 162nd Ordnance Detachment GMDS (Nike Ajax) and HHB (DSP) 5th Missile Battalion 6th Artillery (Nike Hercules) Hoppstaedten, Germany APO NY 09034

October 19 - 21, 2009 in Gatlinburg, TN in the Great Smokey Mountains and right by Dolly Parton's "Dollywood" in Pigeon Forge.

Would have made a great radar site. All vets, all ranks, all years. This will be a great time.
Contact Richard "Vince" Vincell, 13835 141st Ter., Olathe, KS 66062, phone 913-782-1939, cell 913-205-2255, e-mail rvincesr@sbcglobal.net for details.

Richard (Vince) Vincell
13835 W. 141st Ter.
Olathe, KS 66062
H:913-782-1939
C:913-205-2255
rvincesr@sbcglobal.net
Jim Smith
Philadelphia, PA
jsmith5bn6ada@netscape.net
HHB (DSP) 5th Missile 6th Arty 68-71

Nike Hercules site HM-69 in Everglades National Park opens - posted Jan 20, 2009
from Charles D. Carter

Effective Monday, Jan 12, 2009, the historic Nike Hercules missile site located in Everglades has been opened to the public for the first time since it was turned over to the park in 1979. The park is offering guided tours of one of the best preserved relics of the Cold War in Florida. This significant historical site is physically the best overall example of the nation’s missile defense system close to Cuba and remains virtually the same as it was when official use of the site was terminated in 1979.

For information, email CharlesCarter@NECI911.com

National Park Service announcement

Background

In March 2002, Sgt. Charles D. Carter, a veteran stationed on a Nike Hercules site in South Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis, made a formal proposal to the superintendent and executive staff of Everglades National Park where A Battery, 2nd Missile Battalion, 52nd Artillery. The proposal was to (1) apply for National Registry of Historic Places status and (2) open the facility for guided tours to the public by National Park Service interpreters.
The Nike site was listed on the U. S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places on July 27, 2004 as a historic district. The area includes 22 contributing buildings and structures associated with events that have made a significant contribution to American history and embodies distinctive characteristics of the period.
This missile base was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1963 at the height of the Cold War, immediately following the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962. At a time when national security against Soviet attack was America’s main priority, the United States Army chose this strategic site within Everglades National Park, located 160 miles from the Cuban coast, to build a missile site. This base is one of four that were built in South Florida – one in north Key Largo (now Key Largo Hammocks State Park), one in Miramar (now a Publix shopping center), one that is now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Krome Detention Center, and the site in Everglades National Park.

Nike Herc Trophy on display - posted Dec 17, 2008

From Wes Guidry - posted Dec 17, 2008
I found this trophy in the Military museum in Sacramento. The head of it said they have two of them and most were won by National Guard units. It is for the Nike-Hercules units. We had the HAWK trophy in C Battery while I was in Key West.

Wes Guidry, Webmaster
www.missilesofkeywest.com
C/6/65 Key West 1969-70
D/7/2 Korea 1970-71

Request info of site S-43

From Ron Pickinpaugh - posted Dec 17, 2008 
  Hi Nike Vets,

      The Nike Historical Society is looking for information on Site S-43,
      Seattle Defense area, 1955-1963. If anyone has any information, you
      can contact the Nike Historical Society at n.historical@comcast.net 
      or at the address listed below.

  Ron Pickinpaugh
----- Original Message -----

An inquiry was made to our Society regarding information on Site S-43, which was part of he Seattle Defense. It was Ajax only and operational from 1955 - 1963. If anyone served at this site please contact me. Also, if anyone has pictures of the site, especially the IFC, please contact me. The City of Kent Washington has acquired part of the old IFC land and is converting it into a park. In doing so, they want to preserve the history of the former Nike Site and would like as much information as possible. The Society can provide them with all the technical data, but "Site specific information" is lacking.

--
Ezio F. Nurisio
Secretary
Nike Historical Society
P.O. Box 602
Alameda, CA 94501-8602

Nike pictures in "Life" magazine

From Mark Foster - posted Nov 21, 2008
Put "NIKE" in the new GOOGLE Life Magazine search engine and get some great images, including some of the NJ explosion.

Mark Foster

PostScript:

Another great site is:http://www.historicaerials.com
HTTP://www.historicalaerials.com does only California.
Many of the aerials are 1971 vintage and show nike sites still in operation. Including: Hull, Danvers and Lincoln, MA

Wanted - pictures of dismantling a Nike site

From Bill Shaw Nov 16, 2008
Bill Shaw here from the Bristol RI Nike site website.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~w2hyn51/page4.html

For years I have been looking for pictures of the dismantling of the Nike IFC area and dismantling or trucking away of the missiles in the launcher area when the Nike sites closed. I would like to post them on our website as an interesting closure to our Nike sites but have unfortunately found none.

Back when I was at Bristol ('56 to '63) I had many amateur radio friends living there that I know would have taken some pictures but alas they are all gone now. I have emailed the American Legion there in the area and had no response from them at all. We even had one of our old crew members spend a full day at the small Bristol Phoenix newspaper office going thru their archives a few years ago and he came up with nothing.

At that time their archives were only stacks of old dusty newspapers in a room. Nothing on computer or microfiche. At this point I would be happy to get pictures of any Nike site being dismantled (HIPAR, other IFC radars, radar vans, missiles being trucked away ...anything related to the closure.)

Credit of course for the pictures would be given to the person supplying the pictures. Can you help Ed?

Many thanks
Bill Shaw

also see Army exit of a Nike Site? from Bill Shaw Nov 2008

Student seeking Hartford Defense Area personnel - posted August 18, 2008

I am a high school senior from the Hartford, Connecticut area doing a project on the Nike sites of the Hartford Defense Area and their current re-uses (or lack of use). I am looking for anyone who might have worked at any of the six sites around Hartford who could contact me about their experiences and answer a few questions. In addition, if you didn't serve in the Hartford Defense Area but know someone who did, could you please refer me to them. Email me at josh.spiro@gmail.com.

Friends of Nike Site Summit meeting on Monday July 28 at 5:30

Please come to the next Friends of Nike Site Summit meeting on Monday July 28 at 5:30 at the offices of our affiliated group, the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation. They are located at 645 W. 3rd. Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 929-9870 in the 2 story building to the West of the Marx Bro. Cafe. It is a historic cottage overlooking Ship Creek. We will have news about getting a Nike Missile for the State Fair. Gordon Lund from the Nike Historical Society will be coming up, and we will have lots more information about that. You can also hear about the latest developments in the Nike Site Reunion. Hope to see you on Monday! Bob French

C/2/562, Fairbanks,Alaska, at Myrtle Beach, SC - Sept 14-21, 2008 - posted May 24,2008

Hi Ed,
Joe Leone here from C/2/562, Fairbanks, Alaska, 1960/62. We are having our 6th C-Battery Reunion on Sept 14th, till the 21st in Myrtle Beach, SC. Anyone interested in coming should contact me at joe52440@tampabay.rr.com 813-855-3077
Thanks my friend. Joe

Latest on National Nike Reunion Reunion and registration forms. Anchorage, Sept. 11-13, 2009

National Nike Veterans Reunion in Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 11-13, 2009 - posted May 1,2008

Greetings Nike Veterans and site employees:

The topic has come up before at meetings with the Friends of Nike Site Summit, but our initial time frame was too short. This time we're going for it: a National Nike Veterans Reunion in Anchorage, Alaska, Sept. 11-13, 2009. The summer rush will be over, fall colors should be at their prime, the weather will be cool but not cold, and most importantly, it will still be fishing season without the crowds!

We're planning to have the event held at the Sheraton Anchorage. They are giving us fantastic rates and perks if we get the numbers. I've asked for a block of 50 rooms, not knowing how many will want to come up.

Activities will depend upon response, of course, but here are some of the possibilities:

  • Meet and greet icebreaker
  • Historical photos/film clips session
  • Personal anecdotes session
  • Friends of Nike Site Summit (FONSS) session
  • Keynote luncheon
  • Tour of Site Summit (Bravo Battery) up Arctic Valley Road, with lunch at Alpenglow Ski Area lodge.
  • Tour of Anchorage (perhaps out to Portage Valley along the Seward Hwy. - a National Scenic Byway), to include showing how Alpha Battery was converted into Kincaid Park and Chalet.
  • Salmon bake.
  • Native Heritage Center tour.
Both the week preceding and following the reunion would be good for hiking, fishing, gold-panning, scenic drives, etc.

At this point, I'm looking for the possible number of attendees. Please reply if you are interested in attending. We're almost a year and a half out, so there's plenty of time to save some pennies and plan for a great bash. Make sure your old Nike buddies get this message. The grapevine is strong and we don't want to miss anyone.

See you in '09!

Greg Durocher
gfdurocher@usgs.gov
907-786-7009

Howdy Tom [Lundregan] -

Good questions. There are a lot of possible side trips to take, and I'll get a list of suggestions together at some point.

There are two glacier boat trips reasonably close to Anchorage: Airboat trip up the Kinik River to view Knik Glacier, and the Portage Glacier Tour. There are other glacier tours further along from either Whittier (into Prince William Sound) or Seward (into Kenai Fjords National Park). Air tours out of Palmer going up Kinik Valley are quite spectacular. Out of Talkeetna, 114 miles north of Anchorage, you can take some stunning trips around Denali (Mt. McKinley).

The Alaska RR has numerous trip combos (http://www.alaskarailroad.com/arrc8.html)

Should be hotel pick-up, I believe, but will find out soon.

No mosquitoes at that time of year. They really slow down in late July. Right now the 'bombers' are out. In a few weeks we'll get the 'fighters', which are the ones I really hate, as they're smaller and faster.

Tom Lundregan writes " Greg: Recently saw this in my AIAA Society Monthly :::::::: 
The AIAA is sponsoring an ICAS-2008 in Anchorage, Alaska 
26th Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS ) 
incl. 8th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, & Operations (ATIO) Conference. 
       14--19 September 2008      Egan Convention  Center       Anchorage,AL 
            website---registration---www.ICAS2008.org
"Greg" is also checking into possible extension of the hotel rate on either side of the Nike dates -

Kit of the Herc by Revell has been reissued. - posted April 22, 2008

from John Jenkins
The old 1/40 scale plastic kit of the Herc by Revell has been reissued. It is sold by historic aviation for$14.95 at www.HistoricAviation.com
exact link

PI-37 Reunion, August 2008 - posted April 20, 2008

An August, 2008 reunion is being planned for anyone that served during the years 1957 through 1974, at Nike site PI-37, located near Herminie Pennsylvania.

If you are a veteran of B-Battery, 1st AAA Msl Bn (Ajax), and/or B-Battery, 3rd Msl Bn, 1st Arty (Hercules), and have not been contacted by Don Wellman, please call him at 214-348-7698 or email him at dfwellman@sbcglobal.net, for reunion information.

U.S.ArmyAlaska vs. Nike Summit Site - posted Feb 7, 2008

Ed Thelen here - I'm 76 years old, and have seen and done my share of stupid stuff. The current winner of my "Stupid Stuff Award" is the continuing saga of U.S.ArmyAlaska v.s. Nike Summit Site.
The world beset with serious problems, with the U.S. having its share - energy, owing serious money to the Chinese and others, most of our clothes and toys (except automobiles so far) being produced in China, the current "liars loans" housing "crisis", most worthwhile (except government and/or attorney) jobs going off shore, "minorities" and politicians who have never had a real job, ... The list is threatening, and I didn't even get to the "radical" Muslims ...
But the U.S.ArmyAlaska is focused on a non-problem, - blowing an old abandoned Nike site off the top of some mountain nobody visits in Alaska. Talk about "having your head up where the sun don't shine". I suppose if you have no ideas or energy for solving our serious problems, you can make up some make work.
I presume we will farm out this work to "off-shore" contractors, and sell some more bonds to the Chinese to pay 'em.

I presume the U.S. Army in general is supposed to be supervising these - whatevers.

If you hear of anything sillier, please advise me at ed@ed-thelen.org

from Darrell Lewis, Feb 7, 2008, Historian, NPS, Anchorage, AK - who I suppose is swept up into this whole fiasco :-((

Mr. Thelen,

U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (USAGAK) will begin consultation on the future of Site Summit with the Friends of Nike Site Summit, the Nike Historical Society, the Cold War Museum, the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, the State of Alaska, the City of Anchorage and others on Tuesday, March 11th at 10:00am. If you were not contacted by the Army and are interested in participating in this consultation I recommend you contact Meg Thornton, USAGAK Cultural Resource Manager at meg.thornton@us.army.mil and inform her that you are intrusted [?interested?] in participating in this consultation. The current plans call for demolition of nearly half of the Site Summit Historic District. I will attach a copy of what they sent me to assist you familiarizing yourself with their plans.

(See attached file: Site Summit Agenda 3-11.doc) 36 K bytes
(See attached file: FRA_Lower_Site_Summit_13feb08.pdf) 1.8 M bytes
(See attached file: FRA_Upper_Site_Summit_13feb08.pdf) 0.9 M bytes
(See attached file: Site Summit Discussions - Chronology.doc) reformatted from 2.1 M bytes to 22 K bytes
(See attached file: Site Summit Information Paper March 08.doc) 44 K bytes
(See attached file: Additions and Changes to the SiteSummit Nomination Form.doc) 29 K bytes

Darrell Lewis, Historian
National Park Service
Alaska Regional Office
240 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Tel. (907) 644-3470
Fax (907) 644-3811

Red Canyon Range Reunion September 18-21 2008 - posted December 2007
from Heather Covert rhcovert96 @ yahoo . com - note new e-mail address

The dates for the Red Canyon Range Reunion 2008 in Colorado Springs are Sept. 18-21 2008.
We will be staying at the Clarion Hotel Downtown. I have arranged for a bus trip of the city on Sept. 19 including lunch, and dinner that same evening will be at the Flying W Ranch for a chuckwagon dinner and cowboy entertainment.
Sept. 20 during the day has been left open so all attendees can enjoy themselves in the Pikes Peak region. Then we will have a banquet at the hotel that night.

I plan on sending out information packets to the people on my mailing list after the first of the year. Anyone who has not been in touch with the group previously and is interested in attending should contact me by e-mail before the end of January. Please let me know if there are any other questions.

Yours truly, Heather Covert

Last Italian Nike fired, special (radio) HAM event - posted November 2007
from IZ3JJD Andrea Zecchinato

II3NIK Nike Hercules Memorial Year

A special HAM (OM) radio call and event station will be operated since January, 1st 2008 until June, 30th 2008 , in 80 m / 40m / 30m / 20m bands and SSB / CW / PSK31 modes, to commemorate the last symbol of Cold War fired by Italian Air Force last November 24th 2006 at Capo San Lorenzo missile range (16.54 UTC) near the city of Cagliari (70Km at North East), Sardinia.

For any question, feel free to send me an email to : ii3nik@libero.it or visit my personal web page http://www.iz3jjd.eu/
thank you.

IZ3JJD Andrea Zecchinato

QSL card

Somebody else is having fun ;-)) was "Moose Creek Reunion News" - posted June 2007
from RBTV

Latest from
Paul Kulba on a Reunion

Below is the actual text from Paul’s E Mail of 06/14/07
Roger I am thinking about the middle of July, 2088, In Nashville Tenn. At a American Legion, I talked with Doug Jones today, He is going to help setting things up. He is going back to Ak. next week and is going to try to locate George Stark. And Joe Yaska. If he is successful I will ask them to start saving some of there grayling and moose and ship it down. Let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks Paul
I assume Paul has a “Minor Typo Here” I checked my calendar and I’m scheduled to shovel coal the month of July in 2088 can’t get out of that duty no one wants to fill in for me. But let Paul Know your thoughts here is his Email address pakulba@aol.com at this time I have a list of 35 names some without E Mail address. Will be sending something to them via snail mail.
Roger A Babler former Scope Dope
webmaster@a-2-562.org

U.S. Army Alaska clearly has too much money - posted June 2007

U.S. Army Alaska clearly has too much money
U.S. Army Alaska wants to protect Summit from vandals by paying contractors to vandalize it.
This is not a Chicago park taken over temporarily, or a place where people want houses to live -
This is on a mountain top, miles from nowhere - krazy - silly - what can ya say???
- Or maybe the U.S. Army Alaska has a cozy arrangement with the local contractors?
In either case, I wish the U.S. Army would burn the money.
Ed Thelen

from: Jeral Sexton June 16, 2007
subject: Nike Site Summit needs your help

Some of you have already received notices from Ms Carrie McEnteer about the recent release of the Environmental Assessment detailing the Army's Draft Report outlining the alternatives to management of Nike Site Summit. That report was sent out to all those who sent comments to Carrie during the Scoping Process. For those people as well as others who were not involved, this is to inform you that the FINAL comment phase is in progress and your inputs will be critical in letting the Army know what you think of their preliminary decision to manage Site Summit. The end of the comment phase is July 13, 2007. After that, the Army will send out their FINAL report on the fate of Site Summit and will begin initiating one of the four alternatives that is listed in their draft report that can be downloaded at http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation/NEPA_FRA.htm

Please go to Site Summit, Alaska - Nike Hercules ADA at http://home.mchsi.com/~jerals and click on the "contact" box at the top which will take you to the specifics of this final comment phase and how and why you should respond. I have listed "Friends of Nike Site Summit" at www.nikesitesummit.org as a site you should go to for the a good guide to help you with your comments. They are very informative of the situation and have created an organization that has taken upon themselves to aggressively pursue the preservation of Site Summit. Keep in touch with them by visiting their site often. Although they are still in the construction stage of their website, they are constantly reporting pertinent information of the ongoing process to save Site Summit.

Your letter or email can mean the difference between Nike Site Summit being gone forever, or preserved to show future generations that the cost of freedom is eternal vigilance, and to highlight the vital role that the Nike sites provided during the Cold War.

Thanks for your support. And thank you so very much to all those who have already submitted their comments to the Army's EA Draft Management Proposal that started on June 13th.

Jeral Sexton
Site Summit crewmember '67-'69 and Webmaster

Update information on Nike Site Summit - posted May 2007

This is a very high volume email ping for all those listed in my "guest book" as well as various others who have contributed to the Site Summit, Alaska - Nike Hercules ADA website at http://home.mchsi.com/~jerals

...

We are fast approaching the deadline for the Environmental Assessment Team and the Army to complete their findings on the fate of Site Summit. After they submit their report, we have 30 days to comment on their decision. I hope to be able to notify you the moment they make it public. If I am not able to get this information to you in a timely manner, please go to http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation/NEPA_FRA.htm which is the website for the Ft. Richardson Environmental Assessments that list current NEPA actions.

Your support during the initial comment stage of the Scoping Process has resulted in the most active involvement on record as far as getting the message to the Army to save Site Summit. This was a tremendous help in giving Site Summit the recognition it so rightly deserves. We now have an official organization called "Friends of Nike Site Summit" which have formed a coalition of State and National preservation representatives as well as various grassroots local Anchorage residents and historians. They have been holding regular meetings in Anchorage and will have their own website soon. This is the type of action that will definitely help make Site Summit a historical landmark as well as preserve it as a museum.

In addition, I would like to call your attention to many new photos of Site Summit that were sent to me by three former crewmembers. Many of the photos are very detailed and show a lot of Site Summit that are not present in my official photo pages. I am sure you will enjoy seeing them and might even recognize yourself in some of them as well. Please go to the "links" section and then to "main links to this site" section and scroll down to the bottom of the page or just go to http://home.mchsi.com/~jerals/wsb/html/view.cgi-showresources.html-TopRes-Main-20Links-20to-20this-20Site.html.

Again, thank you for all your support and stay tuned to the ongoing process of saving Site Summit.

Jeral Sexton
Site Summit crewmember '67-'69 and Webmaster

Reunion Mike Site, Alaska posted May 4, 2007 


Reunion #5 2007
Charlie Battery 2nd Missile Bn 562nd Arty
Fairbanks,Alaska  1960/1962
Location: Orlando,Fl
Date: Oct,21st to Oct28th,2007
Contact:  Joe Leone
813-855-3077
joe52440@tampabay.rr.com

Maybe a Tare (Alaska) reunion? - posted March 2007

Attention former "Moose Creeker's" a site reunion is in the works. Contact Roger Babler or Paul Kulba with your E Mail - posted March 18, 2007

Free Art, Live Fire - received Jan 13, 2006 from Charles

Here is a great freebee for all Nike Hercules lovers. A Free art print entitled "Live Fire at Kahuko" featuring the Hawaii National Guard with Nike Hercules missiles on the beach is available. The artist is the well known military artist James Dietz. Two sizes of the print are available. Address for print request is:


Chief National Guard Bureau
ATTN: NGB-PAI-H (Prints)
1411 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202-3231

Up to 5 small prints and 2 large prints may be requested at one time. Delivery time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks. To see an example of the free National Guard prints, punch in "National Guard Prints" under search, this should bring up the site or http://www.ngb.army.mil/gallery/

I just had the print framed and double matted, very nice piece for any Nike Hercules collector.

Regards,
Charles

Nike on History Channel from Chuck Zellers September 2005 

Don't know if anyone has mentioned the History Channel's "Weird" program, 
which shows unusual things. There is a 4 minute or so video about the Nike program. 

Very interesting. The two hosts that travel the US showing these "weird" subjects, 
went to a NJ Nike site, visited the Launcher Area, showed film of Nike Ajax and 
Hercules launches, the BC van interior, etc. It has been on a couple of times.

Regards,

Chuck Zellers

Dealing with the VA? from Bob Robbins Feb 2005 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bob Robbins 
 
> Hello Ed this is Bob Robbins. 
> Was with the RCRC In Las Cruces and WSMR with you Last fall.  
> Just went through your Site again and was looking for something 
> or someone who had experience with VA claims from their Missile days.
Well, I have had considerable e-mail about and from attorneys and guys claiming all sorts of things due to "radiation". In my infinite wisdom ;-) I think the effects of "radiation" due to Nike stuff are nil. Figuring the attorneys are trying to drum up some hysteria (and business) I have ignored the whole thing.
> I have been going to the VA in Wichita and have had an elevated 
> blood count for the last few years.  I finally broke down and 
> got a liver biopsy.  They now tell me I have Hepatitus C 2nd 
> degree Fiberous.
I am told that "Hepatitus C" is a whole other kettle of fish.
a) Serious virus !!
b) But not likely as a direct result of Ajax mishaps -
UDMH is supposed to be real bad for a body's body,
but not supposed to give you a virus.
(UDMH will more likely kill viri and you.)
     
> I went to the VA site and looked this up and i have none of the 
> things they say can cause it.  I am going to file a VA claim on Thursday  
> I am supposed to go back to VA Hosp on March 8 to discuss treatment plans.
Hmmm - no fun - I suspect you will have an up-hill fight :-(( I really don't know much about the VA, VA benefits (if any) but apparently they have little budget and long lines?
> Was wondering as we are all getting older if you have heard of or 
> possibility of putting some question on board for anyone who has 
> filed VA claim and experiance.
No - actually I haven't been asking because of this "radiation" thing.
> The most dangerious thing I was involved in was the Ajax fueling.
Yeah, but, I suspect you will get lots of questions about
- drinking/swimming water
- needles
- blood transfusions
Good Luck.

Since we are all getting older, not getting any younger fast :-(( I really didn't want to turn my web site into an old man's complaint column or obituary column. I have so many complaints of my own I ain't got much time for other's complaints ;-|

But I am glad I don't have (or don't think I have) any form of hepatitis. I've always figured I'm a closet hypochondriac, I don't need no help ;-))

May we always be 22 - broke, fit, and full of beans. ;-))

Ed Thelen

 
> Bob Robbins
-----------------------------------
and Bob came back with
> No Problem Ed and I agree with you.  I have been in VA system 
> for about 5 years non-service connected and pay my bills.  
> I had heard all the negative reports also 
>    however the VA has really helped me out.  
> I have not had problems with long lines and long waits.  I 
> had my right hip replaced at the end of May and was crawling the
>  hills out at Red Canyon in Oct.

> The thing bothering me is ( I am a REpublican ) congress is going 
> to cut oout the lower rated veterans like me from system.

> The only thing I remember about the radiation from teaching at 
> Fort Bliss is not to stand in front of the test stand as it had 
> a magnetron in it which sent test signals to the Missile.  
> They claimed and we had to tell students that it could make 
> them sterile after prolonged exposure.  What ever that ment.
Instructors tease too much. The missile magnatron was a little guy with a peak pulse power of 400 watts - Lets see - the duty cycle was about 0.005% (0.1 microsecond about every 2 milliseconds?) gives an average power of 0.02 watts total output.

The test unit was on a pole outside the LCT and the power density at someone underneath was microscopic compared to the likely cell phone at my ear. 

> However one had to stand if front of the test stand to make changes 
> in the procedure. On the Herc the procedure was over 1700 steps.  
> It was fewer then that on Ajax but still could take some time.
> Bob

from LTC Daniel T. Sailer, December 2003

I am LTC Daniel T. Sailer from Volk Field, Wisconsin. I currently employ and work with previous NIKE Site employee's from the 1960's who worked in Southern Wisconsin at NIKE/Hercules Sites. Most are close to or about to retire from the military. I would say about 6 of them. Presently I am working on a Shadowbox for one of these patriots and would like to include a unit patch & crest in the box, but cannot find these items anywhere. Can you help me? They were from Battery "B" 126th, that is all I have on unit designation. Any help or product you could help me with would be appreciated, thanks.

from Mary Rasa October 2002, July 2003, November 2003

Sandy Hook (New Jersey) - Guided Tours
... update on the restoration of Nike site, NY56 at Fort Hancock.

The first full season of conducting tours has concluded for winter. Over 900 visitors toured the Nike IFC radar site this year from April- October. Tours were conducted once a week and included 3 special event days.

The Radar C-2 site has been restored. The Interconnecting Corridor bldg, sentry booth and generator bldg were painted inside and out. The HIPAR bldg was painted on the outside. Missing glass windows were replaced in all bldgs. The 2 trailers connected to the ICC bldg were painted and cleaned. All the radar towers were painted and a few have the radars mounted on them. The compass rose was repainted and the blacktop road was redone in the entire area.

Americorps completed a great deal of work at the site and uncovered the sidewalk leading from c-2 to the barracks area and cut a ten foot swath of area around the existing bldgs at that location.

Here's the latest development on the acquisition of new items. The park is now in ownership of 2 Nike Ajax and one Hercules missile. I arranged for the transfer of property from the Air Force to the NPS last month. They are at an Air Force museum in Florida and our maintanence chief is arranging for the transportation of the missiles to the park in the near future.

Mary Rasa
Museum Curator
(732) 872-5953

Fort Hancock Historic District web site
Official Gateway web site
info on this web site
SandyHookStatus 2003
"American Attorney Full Employment" techniques
from Holt, Doug
Oct. 1, 2003
Hi all,
I'm a reporter working on a story about a former Nike Missile site. The village of Vernon Hills, Illinois, is currently developing its former Nike site into a large sports complex, with baseball, football and soccer fields, tennis courts and playgrounds.

The village wants to name it the "Nike Sports Complex" to honor its Cold War heritage. The big shoe company, Nike Inc., however, says that the idea raises serious trade mark issues. The company is clearly not thrilled with the idea.

I'm looking for anyone who used to work at a Nike missile defense site who might care to comment.

I'm on a short deadline, so call as soon as possible.

Many thanks.

Doug Holt
Chicago Tribune
(847) 918-2807
I decided to rant here

Dear Friends

We are all getting older.
We are all getting symptoms and troubles that we are not used to.
Mine are eerily reminiscient of my fathers later troubles -

I figure if Nike didn't kill/harm you in the past 30 years (I don't know of any documented) - your problems are age, not Nike. This web site is not a medical clearinghouse.

And I'm tired of attorneys, who will take about 40% of a possible "award", asking for free help and research!

From Dick Allen , Aug 6, 2003 August 6, 2003

Cold War Certificate

Ed, I would appreciate you posting this. MANY THANKS!

Anyone who served between September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991 is eligible for subject certificate. Just fill out form, print and sign it, and mail to address listed, with supporting document. Form is located at: https://coldwar.army.mil/us_application.htm.

From Rob Branting, July 28, 2003

6th/43rd Nebraska Historical Marker
I am searching for veterans of the 6/43rd for ideas and support for a Nebraska State Historical Marker to be placed at LI-01 near Ceresco, Nebraska to commemorate the group and the Nike missile installations in Nebraska during the Cold War.
Thanks
Rob Branting

From Man-Won Jee, June 7, 2003

Nike [Launch] Safety Measures?

Dear ED;
I am Korean Military Analyst. I would be very happy If there is somebody who is so kind to provide answer to my questions pertaining to safety measures of NIKE system. Particularly [safety key] and [sparking cable]. Probably the terminology I wrote may not be quite correct but I would guess there should be safety measures to prevent firing accidently. I would be very much moved if get answered.
Thanks
Yours Sincerely
Man-Won Jee

The whole field of Nike safety is much too large for me (Ed Thelen) to handle in this Nike overview. These were complicated and powerful weapons, and treated as such. Just the field of "special warhead" protection & safety is more than I wish to handle. I presume that you are speaking of preventing unintended Nike launches and possibly the arming of "special warheads".
I can tell/look up what we in the IFC (Integrated Fire Control) area did to prevent unintended launch signals from going to the Launcher area, but of course the ultimate launch/nolaunch/override etc. decision was in the Launcher area. They also had the actual arming and dual key special warhead responsibility. (We just thought we were boss ;-)) ) Please CC responses to me so that I can post the information. :-))
Ed Thelen

From Odom, James F.

To answer Mr. Man-Wou Jee's question about safety measures on the Nike system, was the two man rule. It took two people to arm the missile. One person had half of the combination and the second one had the other half. On custodial sites (Greece, Korea, Turker, etc), a PAL device (permissiave action link) was used, and it took two persons to remove it so the arming device could be installed.
James Odom. Nike crewman through 1st Sgt. from Aug. 1960- Sep. 1974 in the states and in Korea and Germany after that.

From BOBCON4492, May 5, 2003

Nike Training "Packages"

Question: I was in Package 43 of the nike program. does anyone have the total number of these packages that were trained and sent out?

Hmmmm - What an interesting question -

I think I was in Package 23. Since it deals with administration, and not techie things like vacuum tubes and bore-sighting, I have never wondered about it.

Seems like a more flexible group identification system than "the high school Class of '66"? Or if some one graduated from college after the fall semister or fall quarter is that "Class of '72a" ? Does the Artillery School still deal in "Packages"? Do/did they start over with "Package 1" for every new product line (oh - I mean weapon system)? Military schools in general?

Anyone got ideas? Please CC me so that I can spread the word :-))

Ed Thelen

from Ed Thelen, November 25, 2002

Help for moving or saving your Nike web site
If you are irritated with your web site host, like it
- doubled or tripled the hosting fees
- has sticky pop-up ads that drive folks nutz
and would like to change - I can help.

I have just modified John McGrath's most excellent web site

The Nike Sites of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
(with 135 HTML files and 600 images) and can help you in the following ways if you are having trouble porting your web site to a more friendly web host
- advice on how to modify absolute internal links
- that refer to the old web site
- a program or service that makes link capitalization consistent -
- required if moving to UNIX/Linux hosts (most common).
Don't feel trapped :-) e-mail me :-))

Francis Gary Powers, Jr. March 22, 2001 & July 2003
Francis Gary Powers, Jr. sent this updated document and is negotiating to locate his Cold War Museum at W-64, Lorton, VA. He is looking for a Nike Missile for display and other related equipment. Volunteers needed in the Fairfax, VA area.

From Mark A. Berhow January 10, 2001
Mark & Ed:
Very sad to hear of the sudden death of Bud Halsey last Thursday. He was the key to the preservation and running of the SF-88 Nike site.
John Porter, present manager of SF-88 Nike site, mentioned the
Obituary in San Francisco Chronicle

From Ed Thelen August 9, 2000
I forgot to remind folks that the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel June 25, 1950 (about 50 years ago). And later when we had them on the run, our "friends" the Chinese came across the Yalu River to rescue them. Yes indeed -

Three of my high school classmates were killed in that "police action". Two probably by the Chinese. Our high school class had 155 people in it, We knew everyone.

I received my draft notice near the end of that action. I coulda been involved.
My brother in-law served near the DMZ ("Demilitarized Zone") afterward. Not a safe place. The North Koreans kept reminding U.S. soldiers, in unpleasant ways, like a sniper's bullet through the gut, that they were/are "at risk".

And don't let the women's libers fool you, combat troops know they are at risk and can get scared *#$% less.

Items, Wanted or for Sale

 Hercules models from Philippines, of mahogany
found by Charles D. Carter, June 11, 2009
I see quite a few inquiries regarding Nike models. They are outstanding quality. They are made of mahogany and the detail and scale are great. The company is in the Philippines and I highly recommend them for service quality and price. This is the link to their eBay page: http://stores.shop.ebay.ph/BUILDERSCIENCE. Yes, I bought six for display.

Picture, Nike Ajax Missile Launch Complex at WSMR - posted June 6, 2008

Thomas Page pointed out this e-bay link for a picture.

Doyle Piland comments:

"The $12.95 price seems like a pretty good bargain if the description is accurate. Around here, getting an 8X10 printed from a scan costs about $10.00 and when you consider the time used to scan and restore, that is cheap. The loction would have been Army Launch Area 3 (ALA-3), later renamed Launch Complex 37. The last Nike Ajax launched at White Sands was in October 1959. This photo most likely was somewhat before that. I suspect the systems and launchers had already been changed to Hercules long before the last Ajax was launched.

"Anyway, I nor we at the White Sands Missile Range Museum Archives need the photo. We have many Ajax photos, but don't know if this is one of them. ... "

Nike Herculas kits for about $15 +s.h - posted May 27, 2008
from R Logan

http://www.historicaviation.com

http://www.historicaviation.com/product_info.po?ID=14808&product=Models+and+Kits&category=military&subcategory=Weapons

1-800-225-5575 has nike herculas kits for about $15 +s.h. much cheaper than e-bay

It is a Revell 121/4 in kit 0092274

Product search--models & kits---all catagories--type nike

DVDs of TV program of SF-88 for sale - posted March 2008
from Charles

The video is in color, runs around 30 minutes and includes a review of the Lopar, Battery Operations Command trailer, and a look at the launching area, raising a nike hercules missile from the underground missile hanger to the top launching area.
http://calgold.com/goldenparks/Default.asp?Series=100&Show=971

Ordered the video, was here within ten days. Nice scenes - showing the Nike site. Goes into a little detail as to how many nike missiles they acquired, what they have restored to operational status (no HIPAR from what I can tell), spend some time in the warhead assembly Building - show missile transport containers, etc.

Nike Launch site for sale in Muskego near Milwaukee, Wis - posted December 2007
from Jorgen May - site details

FOR SALE:

Nike Ajax missile launch site M-64

This 15 acre parcel located in Muskego, WI contains the missile assembly building, pump house and 3 underground missile batteries. Seller is asking $595,000.00.

jorgenmay@hotmail.com

A novel, Epiphany about Nike defending against asteroids - posted November 2007

from Gary Stephens CW3 USA (ret)
Epiphany
A Novel - by Gary Stephens

In less than ten days, four asteroids will impact the Earth, and
no place on the planet can provide refuge from the collisions.

“We’re going to use nine megaton warheads in space and we’re not sure they’re large enough to be effective. Why would you even consider using kiloton-range surface-to-air warheads as back-up?” The answer was succinct. “Because they’re all we have.”

When NASA detects huge asteroids hurtling toward Earth, the President of the United States announces his plan to deploy nuclear warheads from the space shuttle to destroy them. As the West Coast evacuates, General Jack Harrison, a man haunted by nightmares from a long ago war, is chosen to implement a controversial and top-secret backup plan should the shuttle mission fail. ...

... feverishly work to turn a Cold War museum into an operational Nike-Hercules battery. ...

Available at Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

Nike Launch site for sale Upper NY - posted August 2007
from Thomas Page - site details

See http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/135210.html

Apparently, the site in question is NF-03.

Thanks go to Bill Leach (MSgt-r) for mentioning this story in the "Guestbook" of our website, http://www.radomes.org/museum/. (I worked with Bill at Hancock Field and Griffiss AFB, NY, back in the 1981 - 1984 time frame.)

for sale - Nike Models

Charles Everett sent this item - June 2007
Hallo Ed:

Latest Nike news. There is an internet site called "Cafepress.com" which has some nike items for sale. Items I found were Nike Hercules postcards for $7.99 for a pack of 8 cards, Nike Hercules missile site coffee mug for $14.99 and Nike Hercules shirt for $25.99.

A German company has put out an HO scale (1/87) Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax resin model. Also, they have a Nike Maintenance trailer, Transport trailer and 5 ton truck all in HO scale. The launcher comes with rails, so that a launching section can be constructed. Nike Hercules missiles can also be purchased seperately without a launcher. The only problem, one must be an advanced model builder, since these are resin kits and contain alot of plastic attached to the main parts which have to be removed. The company does ship overseas. Price for one Nike launching unit is about 39 Euros (about 52 US Dollars with the current market). Will try and supply you snapshots of the kits by Friday of this week. Unfortunately a launching section cannot be built with the Revell kits, sine the Nike Ajax is 1/32 scale and the Nike Hercules model is 1/40 scale.

A company in the far east is offering a wooden model of the Nike Ajax for sale. I have ordered one and will provide a review of this model once i receive same.

A company called "Traditions Military Videos" is offering DVDs on certain aspects of the Nike. One video is on the Nike Missile Schools of the 1950s. Another DVD shows Audie Murphy visiting a Nike site in Europe during the Cold War era. These DVDs run around $25.00 each plus postage.

Regards,

for sale - Nike Models

Charles sent this item - April 7, 2007
There are Nike Zeus and Nike Hercules wood carved models available from the Philippines on E-bay from reliable sellers (I've have purchased both myself):
- $40

for sale - Nike Pins, Patch

Charles Everett sent this item - May 06, 2006
The Site 99 PX

Patch

a Soviet SA-2 for sale on e-bay :-))

Charles Everett sent this item - May 06, 2006
Boden-Luft-Rakete SA2 und SA4 aus den 60er Jahren
Sowjetunion Item number: 6277446934 
   Seller: antiqea ( 171)   
 Positive Feedback: 99.4%
Member since Jan-02-03 in Germany 
 
Starting bid:  EUR 800.00 (Approximately US $1,014.72)  
Time left:  8 days 10 hours
10-day listing 
Ends May-14-06 08:38:32 PDT  

Item location:  Marwitz bei Berlin, Brandenburg, Germany  
Ships to:  Worldwide
Summary
Museumsstück, De-militarisiert durch Bundesministerium, zu Ausstellungs- und Dekozwecken geeignet, nicht komplett Transportcontainer vorhanden ca. 6 Tonnen Gewicht 1 Stück: Containerlänge ca. 8,5 Meter, Durchmesser ca. 0,75 Meter 1 Stück: Containerlänge ca. 10 Meter, Durchmesser ca. 1,10 Meter, Raketendurchmesser: 0,85 Meter Ersatzteilkiste vorhanden. Besichtigung unbedingt empfohlen! ; Bitte schauen Sie auch auf unsere Mich-Seite! Viele besondere Angebote!

on-line Nike Shops
Charles Everett - C Team, 35th USAAD 83 - 85 - wishes to point out (Jan. 2006)

Go to WWW.firsttofire.com - this is the ADA Association web page, click on ADA Museum on this page, this will take you to the Fort Bliss Museum giftshop. Price for the Wooden Nike Hercules is around $85.00 and the Nike Hercules pins are around $5.00 a piece without tax or shipping.

The following company offers Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules T-shirts and Sweat shirts for sale in various sizes up to XXXXL. Can also do personalized items for veteran reunions and offers cold war veteran items. www.idsardar.bizland.com

wanted "Family with a future" decal or patch - posted Jan 2005 by Marvin K. Stanley
Mr. Thelen , my name is Marvin K. Stanley I was at Ft. Wolters in 1966 , I believe it was D Battery 562

I would really like to find the "Family with a future" decal or patch if there were ever any made

Can you give me some tips , I have been looking on e-bay but nothing there . thanks Marvin

from Jim Rhodes - January 2006
book of Regimental ADA Crests and Lineage/History of all of the ADA Battalions purchase on-line
Greetings Ed;
While surfing about, I was able to locate a book compiled by Janice E. McKenney for the Institute of Military History. This book is out of print, but there are some to found. This book includes all of the Regimental ADA Crests and Lineage/History of all of the ADA Battalions. I sent this info over to Ron Parshall at Site SF88, but you might have some interest in it too, perhaps.

I purchased by book through ALIBRIS online. PN#12269577-1, Item ID#10447, Alibris ID #8156366552, Title: Air Defense Artillery by Janice McKenney. My cost was about $65.00.

from Ed Thelen - e-mail for Jim Rhodes bounces - "Air Defense Artillery. Army Lineage Series" by Janice E McKenney "Binding: Soft Cover Publisher: GPO, 1985. Description: 429p. Color plates of unit devices." is listed in Amazon as being "For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O (1985)" and is available at abebooks.com, Alibris.com, Amazon, etc. second hand for more moderate prices :-))

want Nike Ajax shoulder patch
from Ron Van Able - December 2005
I'm looking for a Nike Ajax shoulder patch to purchase. How do I go about putting a wanted ad on your website for one? Do you know anyone who may have one I could buy?

New book, "An Antiaircraft Artilleryman 1939-1970"
from William Boettinger (Wboettiger atsign aol adot com) August 30, 2005
My new book, An Antiaircraft Artilleryman 1939-1970, is now available at the publisher Xlibris Corp. It is about my life story from 1939 in the National Guard and Army during World War II, the Korean War, and my Cold War assignments in the US, Germany, Japan, and Okinawa up to my retirement July 1, 1970.

You can purchase this book directly from the Xlibris bookstore at a 15% discount ($18.69) at

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/author.asp?authorid=6154.

The Hardback version is also available at a 10% discount ($28.79).

"Formerly Classified" is also available in both versions with the same prices and discounts.

I hope you enjoy the books. They are my true story. I’d like to hear any comments or questions you may have about the books

Bill

Mike Brady, Dec. 29, 2004
I was a 24U from the Assembly Building. Do you have or know who might have a TM-9-1440-250-12/1 the Daily checks and adjustments book for the missile/launcher? I thought about hanging on to mine when I got out of 24U school in "80", but I didn't. Boy, I could just kick myself now! Do you know if the military archives them at all?
I would also be interested in getting a warhead procedures manual, or any launcher area manual for that matter if there are any to be had.

Mike Cottam, Dec. 6, 2004
Found some "unit patches from ARADCOM..the old red shield with the gold missile and lightening bolts" on e-bay. :-))

From Bill Treib, (June 27, 2004)
Wow, A nike base for sale on E-bay! click here

From Roger Rigney (May 17, 2004)
D-4-44 DVD

The DVD is finished , has about 450 photos (taken 1966-67) of D-4-44 and surrounding area , plus a few missile photos from other sources .

Cost is $10 , postage paid .

Also , I would like to have photos of this site ( D-4-44 ) any year . I would be especially interested in any yearbook ( I will purchase or borrow ) for a new or add-on to this DVD .

I often visit China ( not sure when I will go again ) but would like to stop by Korea for a day or two ; if so , I will try to locate the old site and take a GPS to get the grid coordinates .



From J P Moore (April 2004)
Red Canyon Range Camp Caps

Hi fellow RCRC Vets and friends,

This is the 2nd NOTICE! To date, 70 caps ( bigger picture) have been requested. Please send me your request ASAP. If you have already responded, please disregard. Do not duplicate your request. I am coordinating the manufacture of a Red Canyon Range Camp cap with the WSMR Museum Gift Shop. We are in the procurement process and I really need your help in deciding how many caps to have made. Please indicate how many caps you expect to buy when available.

Me? I want two, one for everyday use and another for Sunday go-to-meeting. There are no restrictions on who can buy or wear the caps. RCRC Vets, their families and friends as well as everyone else can buy and wear a RCRC cap. So be sure to remember your family and friends when you answer this survey. The caps will be high quality, 5 panel (not mesh backed) with embroidered (not painted) design as shown in the computer generated attachment. The missile is an accurate model of a Nike Ajax. The launcher is modified to simplify it for embroidering. The colors are Artillery. The Gift Shop can't price them until they know how many to make, but I'm sure they will be reasonable.

The caps can be ordered from WSMR Museum Gift Shop or picked up at the reunion in October, if you can wait that long.

Please FORWARD this message to everyone you know that is in any way associated with or interested in Nike or RCRC. If some receive multiple notices, that is better than missing it!

Many thanks for your help,

JP Moore

From Don Wellman (March 2004)
ARADCOM decal

Greetings Ed. Don't know if you are familiar with the website

http://www.military-graphics.com.

I have been working working with them to create a decal using the ARADCOM shield that is appropriate for our unit at Herminie PA(PI-37). I have attached the link to the decal where it may be purchased. http://www.military-graphics.com/army_unit5.html

Please take a look at it and see if you think it may be of interest to others. The folks at military-graphics will gladly create a new decal of the same design to reflect a different Defense area such as, for example, LOS ANGELES, and the Unit designations A Btry, 1st Msl Bn, 56th Arty appropriate for anyone ordering it. All it takes is an email from someone wanting it. Once that is done, the decal is added to the military-grahics site catalog for future requests. There is also the plain ARADCOM shield available on page 4 of their Army Units page.

I have no connection with military-grapics other than being their customer ...

From Edward M. Bisconti (Dec 1999 & May 2001 & June 2003)
I am Happy to announce the release of Nike-CD ll.

The CD includes 5 videos via Hayden Moody, Rolf Dieter Goerigk, Nathan Harris and myself.

I put part of Hayden Moody's 8mm film to sound and have included it as a 50 second video clip on the CD and 2min 36sec. look at the Malpais Missile area that Hayden shot (silent footage).
Rolf has a 3min 5sec clip dubbed in German from "White Sands." I shot a 1min 50sec video of a recently discovered (at least for me, because I didn't know it was there) Nike-Ajax missile at a memorial park in Villa Park Illinois.
Last but not a least a forensic look at LA-43 at SanPedro California, shot in 2001 by Nathan Harris. 36min 18sec.

Included is

  • 268 pages of the manual "Guided Missile System, XSAM-A-7" prepared by Douglas Aircraft from 1955.
  • A synopsis I wrote on the Nike-Apache missiles that were launched from Keweenaw Michigan during 1971- includes photos from the era.
  • The Roland Bruce Burgan color photo of a winter Nike-Apache blast-off.
  • Artifacts to look at such as a Nike-Ajax collectible card, Nike event covers from when NASA was launching sounding rockets with Nike boosters.
The CD holds 312 pages of research and history. The 5 video total running time is approx 44min. The CD auto-starts in Windows and can be manually used in MAC's since I based it on the Adobe Acrobat format. If you own a Mac "say so" because you get the Nathan Harris video on a separate CD for Mac -at no extra charge.

The cost is only $12.00 U.S. and trust me its worth it !! I am making available to any History organization, military organization, or archival related business with a Nike interest the CD for $4.00 (for mail-shipping etc.) upon receipt of appropriate organization letterhead.
Please send check or money order to:

Ed Bisconti
112 Harding Court
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
Email: ed1106@aol.com
From Ron Fox, April 13, 2003

I am an avid collector of American Military Service beer steins from 1950 - 1970. If you brought one back from your service time and would be willing to part with it, I would pay $200. for it if in good condition and has a lid. Please let me hear from you. Thanks for your consideration.

Ron Fox oz@webspan.net 631-376-0916

Mark Berhow writes (August 19, 2002)
The Second Edition of "Rings of Supersonic Steel" is Now Available


Also, CD-ROM Supplement to Second Edition of "Rings of Supersonic Steel" is now available.

From Jim Buffington Veteran, Site PH-99 - June 20 2002
The ARADCOM insignia in a beautiful 5/8 inch lapel pin! Features hard-fired enamel finish for beauty and durability, military clutch back.

Only $7.50 each, postage included.

Limited quantity available. Send check or money order to Jim Buffington, 402 S. Matubba St., Aberdeen, MS 39730 - Phone # 662-369-4985

(updated April 4, 2001)
Steve Bardowski has ARADCOM decals for sale. Price includes Postage & Handling.

(About 2 inches
by 3 inches)
Terms $2.00 each
Terms $3.00 each 		Address is
Steve Bardowski
721 South Estate Drive
Belton, Texas 76513

The Malpais Missiles a historical look at Nike Ajax, RCATS, Red Canyon Range Camp, Oscura Range Camp, and White Sands Proving Ground in the 1950's.

From Errol Porter, November 17, 2000

Also Ed. I have a full set of blue prints org. of a above ground Nike Missile site. They are the prints of the 5th Missile Bn. (N-H) 517th Arty, Btry. B, Abilene Texas. If anyone is interested in a copy, e-mail me and I will let them know the details.

People looking for people

Posted 2008-12-11

I am looking for a Craig or Greg Smith that was stationed around the Wertheim or Hardheim area, in 1972, and he knew a girl named Dagmar. This concerns her recent death and fulfilling her last request. I think he was from Colorado but so far I have had no luck finding him. If anyone has information on Mr Smith, please contact me at the following email: billwhit1357@hotmail.com

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. God Bless.

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