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Locations of Former Nike Site Locations & Status (text)
Please Note credits below.

WARNING - Many of the roofs, windows, hand-rails, underground magazines, etc. have been collapsing, breaking, vandalized, rusting, filling with water, mud, dirt and who knows what for at least 30 years. Please look, no touch, from a respectful distance. A 15 foot fall from a rusted out radar tower ladder onto a concrete pad can ruin your whole day or life. Many old Nike sites are on private property and the owners do not wish to be sued for more than they are worth just because you are curious and careless.
Asking permission, CRASH !!, Suffocation, Attractive Nuisance
Jan 2017 - Ted Swanson sent:
Nike Hercules ? Python in Launch Bunker http://www.flkeysnews.com/news/local/environment/article128625164.html :-|
A collection of pictures of abandoned sites from Richard Lewis

The purpose of this page is to aid interested people in finding the locations of old Nike sites world wide.
Oddly, or predicably, there are/were uncertainties about the locations of some Nike sites.


A Table of Contents:
Known Nike Ajax and Hercules sites, ranges, centers:
Design & manufacturing of Nike Ajax and Hercules:
Also see Maps of Nike sites
Nike Sites via Google Earth
"Rings of Supersonic Steel"
Nike Defense areas and Nike site names
Contributors & Locations they updated
Asking permission
Using 'HistoricAerials.com'


Known Nike Ajax and Hercules sites, ranges, centers:
Alaska, Belgium, Crazyfornia-*, ColoradoSprings, Connecticut,
Denmark, Florida, FtBliss, FtChurchill, Georgia,
Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hawaii, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Italy, Japan, Johnston Atoll,
Kansas, Korea, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, McGregorRange, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
NAMFI, Nebraska, NewJersey, NewMexico, NewYork,
Norway, Ohio, Okinawa, Pennsylvania, RedCanyonRange,
RhodeIsland, Sardinia, SeaRange, SouthDakota, Spain,
Taiwan, Texas, Turkey, Virginia, Washington,
WhiteSandsProvingGround, Wisconsin

Design & manufacturing of Nike Ajax and Hercules:
Bell Telephone Labs, Douglas Aircraft, Western Electric, General Electric (HiPAR).



also
Lat-Lon of U.S. Nike systems and command structure sorted by Location
Are you confused by all the map datum options? Tom Page suggests:
- North American Datum from Wikipedia
- Latitude and Longitude, Coordinate Systems and Projections - NAD27 and NAD83
also - added December 2023
- U.S. and Denmark Nike sites
- Wikipedia

As you might guess, Nike folks aren't the only ones looking at the ground for history. Here is an effort to find Low-Frequency Radio Ranges used to guide aircraft in the 1930s and '40s.

GOOGLE MAPS
- Germany and Italy

GOOGLE EARTH
- US Nike and related sites, mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, Greenland (Thule), some Taiwan and Okinawa Updated 2-08-2013
- a German Launcher site
- all German Nike sites
- all Italian Nike sites
- Korean Nike sites - added May 2012
- Norwegian Nike sites - added May 2015
- a Spanish site - added August 2017


US Nike and related sites, mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, Greenland -

Nike sites in U.S., source & date unknown

[Click here to start GoogleEarth using Tom's .kmz file] (updated 12-16-2018 by Thomas Page)
"Thanks to the "Historic Aerials" website, http://www.historicaerials.com/.
- locations by NikeSiteSearchers

(Operator's note: on the left side of the Google Earth window is a little window called "Places". In there click on "Temporary Places", Then click on "US Nike Missile Sites", and then the defense area and Nike site you wish to find. )

Previous comments by Tom Page
The .kmz file requires "Google Earth" software, which may be freely downloaded from the "Google" website; "Google Earth" software in turn requires either the Microsoft or Mac operating system to run. For those who might have an older version, an upgrade to the latest version of "Google Earth" software is highly recommended.

The placemarks are color-coded to readily distinguish the different types of sites

- red for missile-launch batteries,
- green for integrated fire-control (IFC) sites,
- blue for Nike Army Air-Defense Command Post (AADCP) sites,
- yellow for associated joint-use or USAF long-range radar sites.
NORAD SAGE direction centers and SAGE combat centers are also included using separate symbology. It's all fairly self-explanatory.

Note that the Nike sites are organized by defense area, not by state, and each defense area is in a separate directory (folder); I found it more logical and easier to organize the sites this way. The NORAD SAGE DC / CC sites are likewise in a separate directory (folder).

In the enclosed .kmz file as saved, three Nike sites are not enabled, as they were "temporary" sites (as I understand):

W-13T, B-35C, and B-22L.
However, all three of these sites do have placemarks; they are just unchecked in the saved .kmz file -- one may easily open the respective directory (folder), and check the desired box ... or simply enable all.

Finally, please note that some no-longer-extant Nike sites still have questionable locations. I used the best information I could from your website, Rings of Supersonic Steel (2nd Edition), USACE data, other notes, and terrain information on "Google Earth." If anyone sees any errors (or omissions), please bring them to my attention for correction -- thanks!

Questions and comments are welcome. Thanks once again.

-- Tom

http://www.radomes.org/museum/


a German Launcher site
In 2006, early versions of Google Earth came out -
John Beaty sent me some GOOGLE EARTH based e-mail of his Nike site in Germany. Just load up GOOGLE EARTH and type in "49 37 42.12 n 7 17 28.42e" (with out the quotes), and there is his launcher area. And his e-mail had stick pins with his labels for the different buildings!
I have no idea how to reproduce the stick pins for you.


all German Nike sites
Google Earth set up for German Nike sites (as of June 2007) by Rolf Dieter G?rigk. You will need to have "Google Earth" loaded to view these. Spotted by Thomas Olson and Thomas Page


all Italian Nike sites - from Tom Page, Jan 26, 2008
three Nike Hercules missile sites apparently are still inoperation, scheduled to be reconfigured very soon with Patriot PAC-3 missiles as part of the NATO Medium, Extended Air-Defense System (MEADS). This is per Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, 21 January 2008, page 21, column 1. The article does not say which Nike Hercules missile sites will receive Patriot PAC-3 missiles, but I'd guess it will be the three operational sites (i.e., Bovolone, Bagnoli, and Cordovado).

This information piqued my curiosity, so I decided to take a look at the "Google Earth" aerial imagery to see which, if any, these Italian Nike missile sites were visible. Thanks to existing "Google Earth Community" placemarks, all sites were found easily. The placemarks also flagged two Nike Ajax missile sites not listed on Ed's website, plus quite a few HAWK missile batteries also not listed on Ed's website -- I suspect the Ajax sites and HAWK sites might have been Italian owned and operated (?), while the Hercules sites were originally U.S. Army owned and operated (?). Does anyone know if this is correct or not?

Enclosed are two "Google Earth" .kmz files, one for the Nike Hercules and Ajax missile sites, and one for the HAWK missile batteries. (There might be still other Ajax and/or HAWK sites that I did not find placemarks for yet.) If I come across any others, I'll update the file. If anyone else finds others, let me know please. By the way, for reference, I included Aviano Air Base and the NATO CAOC / radar station at Poggio Renatico in the Nike missile .kmz file.

Korean Nike sites - from Gale Maxey < galemaxey@verizon.net > - May 13, 2012
I've been slowly going blind researching Google Earth, inch by inch attempting to find the actual locations of the Korean Nike Sites that were active during the 60's and early 70's.

[Click here to start GoogleEarth using Gale's .kmz file] (as of 05-15-2012)
Google Earth is a free download from here

Out of the 6 U.S. Nike sites, I've been able to positively locate 5, both IFC and Launcher areas. The one elusive site is Site 2, Bravo Battery at Taechon-Ne. I have found an area that I believe is the launching area for SEA Range, based on photos that exist on the web. It looks very close.

Have also located 2 new locations, probably built by South Korea after the big turn over in the mid 70's. These sites may or may not be Herc sites. South Korea adapted the Herc for a straight Surface to Surface mission and called it the Hyunmoo. Looks very much like a Herc, but according to the info, could possibly have a greater Surface to Surface range than the Herc. One of the new locations is located on one of the islands in Inchon harbor and if the info is correct, would be capable of launching a Surface to Surface against Pyongyang.

The other new find is on the East Coast, and would be able to launch against targets or facilities on the East Coast of North Korea.

During the mid to late 60's, there were 8 ROK Nike Hercules sites that defended the South Coast of the country. Haven't located any of those as of yet.

Have tagged all of the files and am including the Google Earth KMZ file for others to enjoy. A couple of things they should know.

When they zoom in on Site 5, they will be looking at a recent photo. If they enable the time line and go back to 03-04, they will be able to clearly see the launcher area with missiles.

They need to do the same thing when viewing the training area at Daegu.

The file also includes Hawk batteries that I've been able to positively locate. Some of these I know are new, never operated by the US sites, mainly due to their location. But they're fun to look at anyway.

So maybe someone out there can take a look and possibly show us the true location of Site 2.

Norwegian Nike sites
Google Earth Norwegian Nike sites from Ren? Kiefer Admin and Operator cold-war.de

a Spanish site - added August 2017
from Ren? Kiefer

I have always looked for this position in Spain and finally found it, look at the kmz "1 Launcher Area". If you drag to the 3/16/2003 timeline, you can see the remains of a launcher area, I think 100%. The position of the IFC might fit, but I'm not sure you'll decide.

Google Earth a Spanish Nike site also ???

Please forward any GPS positional information to Ed Thelen and I will put it on this web page.
The format is Latitude first, then Longitude as in nn.nnnnnn and mm.mmmmmm
Please use the Map Datum "WGS 84" - most GPS units are preset to this.

And on-line TopoMaps spotted by Tim Tyler
"Here's an UNCLAS example. It's zoomed in on the former Detroit Nike D-17 Sites. The "Area Vocational Sch" explains a little bit about the appearance of the former IFC compound ..."

Also, Donald E. Bender picked up on U.S. Army Corps of Engineer web pages in Alaska - Clicking on USACE in the description of sites below will link to the appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineer web page. These are currently in Alaska, but will be extended if/when more are found.

There was also a ring of Army radars around Chicago/Milwaukee

For the real experts on wide area surveillance radars go to North American Air Defense Online Radar Museum.

If you want a little fun, you can TerraFly about.

Using 'HistoricAerials.com' from Tom Page, July 2009, re Site C-08,09
The double IFC's (SF-08C/SF-09C) on San Pablo Ridge may be viewed at Lat 37.93932500 and Lon -122.27794722 by using the "Historic Aerials" website,
http://www.historicaerials.com/,

for the year 1959 (when Nike Missile Site SF-08 / SF-09 was active). ...

The view in 1968 shows the sites after de-activation.


Please Note: Much of the following U.S. Nike site location and current status is taken from "Rings of Supersonic Steel" and used with the kind permission of the authors Mark A. Berhow and Mark L. Morgan. (The information is arranged here by states rather than defense areas as in the original.) Also see Update Contributors.

Please also note: the information on this page is a small sub-set of the information in the book, which also includes site by site information of active dates, equipment and changes, military unit(s), maps, Defense Area Headquarters and radars, HAWK sites and general remarks.

Mark Morgan continues to travel and to collect Nike/ARADCOM history.
"I'm looking for personal recollections from former ARADCOM and anti-aircraft personnel. Any location, any time from World War II to the present, any specialty." His (new) address is:
    Mark Morgan
    607 White Oak Dr No. 1
    O'Fallon, IL 62269
    (618)628-3115


Nike Defense areas and Nike site names
The areas selected to be defended by Nike missile sites - a rather dynamic selection - were called Defense Areas and the Nike sites in each area (except Alaska) were identified by one or two letters, followed by a dash, followed by 2 digits.

The two digits could range from 01 to 99 and usually represented the angle from north, clockwise, to the site as viewed from the center of the defense area. Each count of the digits was about 3.64 degrees. For instance, a site due east from the center of the Baltimore Defense Area would likely be called "BA-25". (East is 90 degrees, 90/3.6 is about 25)

From Mark Morgan
... there were discrepancies in the ARADCOM site numbering system; my guess is it was a function of the site planning, survey and acquisition process. ARADCOM documents do put W-93 east of W-94.
Another example can be found in the Boston Defense Area; B-85 Bedford is west of B-84 Burlington. In the Chicago Defense Area, C-93 Northfield/Skokie is south and slightly east of C-98 Fort Sheridan and east of C-94 Libertyville. Strange, but true. MK
The names for the Nike sites were assigned by the Army and provided in the ARADCOM station listings of the period which formed much of the foundation for Rings. ... sometimes they didn't make complete sense.
And from Don Bender
Mark and gentlemen:
Another notable discrapency in the site designation system is site NY-56 at Fort Hancock, NJ, which is EAST of sites NY-53 (Middletown) and NY-54 (Holmdel/Hazlet).

Sorted by Code rough sort on facility
Site
Code
Defense Area, Comments Site
Code
Defense Area, Comments
... Anchorage Defense Area (Alaska) LA-nn Los Angeles (California)
B-nn Boston (Massachusetts) LI-nn Lincoln (Lincoln AFB) (Nebraska)
BA-nn Baltimore (Maryland) M-nn Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
BD-nn Barksdale (AFB) Louisiana MS-nn Minneapolis - St. Paul (Minnesota, Wisconsin)
BG-nn Bergstrom (AFB) (Texas) N-nn Norfolk (Virginia)
BR-nn Bridgeport (Connecticut) NF-nn Niagara Falls (merged with Buffalo in 1961) (New York)
BU-nn Buffalo (merged with Niagara Falls in 1961) (New York) NY-nn New York (New York, New Jersey)
C-nn Chicago (Illinois, Indiana) OA-nn Oahu (Pearl Harbor) (Hawaii)
CD-nn Cincinnati-Dayton (Ohio) (Indiana) OF-nn Offutt (AFB) (Iowa, Nebraska)
CL-nn Cleveland (Ohio) PH-nn Philadelphia (Penna. & N.J.)
D-nn Detroit (Michigan) PI-nn Pittsburgh (Penna.)
DF-nn Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) PR-nn Providence (Rhode Island, Mass. )
DY-nn Dyes (AFB) (Texas) R-nn Robins (AFB) (Georga)
E-nn Ellsworth (Air Force Missiles?) (South Dakota) S-nn Seattle (Washington)
... Fairbanks (Ft Wainwright & Eielson AFB) (Alaska) SC-nn Shilling AFB (- inactivated after 2 months) (Kansas)
F-nn Fairchild (Fairchild AFB) (Washington) SF-nn San Francisco (Calif.)
H-nn Hanford (Atomic "device" production) (Washington) SL-nn St. Louis (Ill. & Mo.)
HA-nn Hartford (Connecticut) T-nn Travis (AFB) (California)
HM-nn Homestead - Miami (after Cuban Missile Crisis) (Florida) TU-nn Turner (AFB) (Georgia)
KC-nn Kansas City (Kansas, Missouri)) W-nn Washington D.C. (Maryland, Virginia)
KW-nn Key West (after Cuban Missile Crisis) (Florida) WA-nn Walker (AFB) (New Mexico)
L-nn Loring (SAC bases) (Maine) . .

Site facility codes used are:
A - Admin facility
C - Control/IFC (integrated fire control
DC - Direction Center
H - Housing
L - Launcher Area
R - Radar facility
Site Status codes are
(I) - Intact; buildings, launch pads and possibly radar towers in place
(O) - Obliterated: all traces removed
(P) - Partial; some modifications or dismantling of buildings and launch facilities
My added codes are:
[ ... ] information sent to update/enhance the book's information
{name} contributor code, for Contributors details
*** - a headquarters.

For maps showing many of these sites, go to Maps showing Nike sites near U.S. cities

The following are firing batteries only - no area headquarters or radars listed. Sites that were surveyed but never built are not listed below.

Please note that the Nike defense system was ever changing during its life in the United States from 1954 until the "SALT" treaty in 1974 (1979 for Anchorage Alaska). Sites were constructed, equiped and manned, sites re-named, their units renamed, and sites were closed at a much higher rate than most people were accustomed to. (People tended to think that a military installation was as permanent as taxes, at least until recently.) Some of the reasons for the frequent changes were:

  1. The much greater range and power of the Nike Hercules which started replacing the Nike Ajax in 1959 reduced the number of sites required to protect a given area with the same effectiveness.
  2. Changing air defense priorities - example the Cuban Missile situation in October 1962 caused some re-location of some systems to quickly constructed above ground sites in Florida.
  3. Changing manpower commitments - moved some Nike people to Vietnam.
  4. Review of existing situations - such as the merging of the Buffalo and Niagara Defense Areas in 1961.
  5. The ever changing funding situation from congress, such as the 1970 defense cut backs.


Contributors & Locations they updated
100 % of the U.S. site information above originally came from "Rings of Supersonic Steel" with the very kind permission of the authors. ("RSS" has a lot more information including equipment, years, dates, etc.) Since then, the following people have contributed information and updates:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Name Locations Updated
A  
A.G. Crazyfornia
Abbazia, Edward Connecticut
Abernethy, Mike Chicago/Milwaukee radar ring
Allen, Ron Connecticut
Alvarez, Luis Florida
Amelong, Bernd Germany
Anderson, Erik Washington
Anderson, Michael Indiana
Anderson, Tyson California
Anton, Ken California
Aresu, Roberto Capo San Lorenzo Range [Sardinia] Italy
Austersl?tt, Tor Willy Norway
Azzollini, Robert New York
B  
Babler, Roger A Alaska
Bailey, Paul Okinawa
Bandlow, Kevin Wisconsin
Bardowski, Stephen Z. Indiana
Barrow, Curtis Germany
Bartolick, Joe New Jersey
Barton, John W Korea
van Bastelaar, Niels Germany
Bateman, Thomas E. Michigan, Nike Detroit-Cleveland Defense Area
Batson, Boyce Korea
Baumgartner, Ken California
Baumgarten, Ronald L. Michigan
Becker, Zach Connecticut
Beeblebrox, Zaphode Georgia
Behr, Eric Illinois
Bender, Donald E. (unavailable) New Jersey, New York, Greenland, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Norway Nike web site 1, Nike web site 2, Mass., Conneticut
Berhow,Mark Illinois, (co-author of Rings of Supersonic Steel)
Biles, James Alaska
Bigge, Mike Alaska
Binder, Michael Maryland, Pennsylvania
Bisconti, Ed Illinois
Black, Charles D. Michigan
Blomberg, Brett Illinois
Bogges, Donald Red Canyon, McGregor
Boggs, Alfred Wisconsin
Bollinger, James E Alaska
TSgt. - Unit Historian, 353 Combat Training Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
Bonnema, Dawnn & Jim Indiana
Bossie, Clifford New Mexico, web site
Bourantanis, Vasilis Greece
Bozych, Bill Indiana
Branting, Rob Nebraska, (Lincoln AFB Historian)
Brockert, Ben Kansas
Brower, David Indania
Brown, Greg California
Brown, Matthew Minnesota
Brown, Morgan California
Brown, Richard New Jersey, New York
Brown, Roger Virginia
Brown, Sam Okinawa
Brown, Thomas H Greenland
Bruni, Frank, California, Washington
Buffington, Jim D. Pennsylvania
Burckard, Albert Virginia
Burgess, Paul Illinois
C  
Cameron, James Minnesota
Campbell, Bob Missouri, Illinois, Florida
Carpenito, George Pennsylvania
Carter, Charles Florida - South Florida Web Site
Castelnau, Jorge Florida -
Chiles, Sue Missouri
Clarke, William Alaska
Cocherell, Harold Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan,[text about radar ring around Chicago]
Conklin, Mark Maryland
Coogan, Jack Florida
Crossley, Gary Maryland
Cuerdon, Matt Korea
Cunningham, Jim Illinois
Cymerman, Mark Illinois
D  
Darrall, Mark Pennsylvania
Dart, Dale New York
Davidson, Marian Colorado Springs
DeMarco, Peter Alaska
Denja, Mike Michigan
Deutsch, Elliot Maryland
Devine, Brian California, Massachusetts
Donovan, Mike New Jersey
Doubleman, Phil New Mexico, Hawaii
Dowdy, Glenn Washington (state)
Dunlap, Ken Michigan
E  
Edwards, Dale Korea
Edwards, Tom Minnesota, Wisconsin
Eichenlaub, John South Dakota
Elonich, C J Illinois
Emiliano, . Italy
Enders, Rolf Germany
Eric California
Eriksen, Erik Virginia
Erkelens, Ronald Germany (Royal Dutch Airforce)
Etem, Blake Italy
Etten, Sara, New York
Evans, Bill Maryland Nike web site
Evans, Richard E. Greenland
Everett, Charles Germany
F  
Faresin, Marco Italy
Feldmann, Charles Maryland
Fischer, William Minnesota
Foster, Mark Boston, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island
Foster, Robert California
Federico, John J, Jr. Greece
Fornash, John Florida
Freak Alaska
Freeman, Calvin Michigan
Freeman, Paul Maryland
Friedel, George C. New Jersey
Froehlich, John Alaska
Frost, Craig MVFD New York
Fuller, Jon Illinois
Funk, Dick Washington
G  
Gajewski, Joe Maryland
Gale, Mike Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Gallery, Jerry Nebraska
Gamerro, Rob Pennsylvania
Gardner, Kevin Alaska
Garreta, Lluis Spain
Garver, Jason Maryland
Gatto, Tim Korea, Florida, author of Kimchee Days
Gearhart, Philip Greece
Gibson, James A Wisconsin
JC Gielen Belgium, Germany
Giera, Allen Ohio
Gilliss, Dave New York
Goettlich, Walt Germany
G?rigk, Rolf Dieter Germany ( used to have 2 great Nike Hercules web sites )
Greer, Lou New York
Gregorios, John Turkey
Griswold, Stephen Connecticut
H  
Hammitt, Mathew Minnesota
Hanchey, Jennings Virginia
Handa, Dave Washington (state)
Halinar, Karen Illinois
Hankel, Carl Maryland
Harris, Wes Pittsburgh
Harris, William W. Washington (state)
Hashash, Bruno Pittsburgh
Harvey, Val S. Michigan
Hathaway, Craig Maryland
Hawkins, Joe, California www.vaq34.com/ccc
Heck, Greg Texas
Hedges, Christopher C. Illinois, Indiana
Henderson, John Maryland
Herbert, Edward R. III Maryland
Herron, Marty Ohio
Hintz, Les Okinawa
Hirose, Paul, California
Hiscox, George, California
Hoehne, Don Florida
Hobbs, Daemon E. Korea - web site
Holdorf, David E. Wisconsin
Horton, Don Maryland
Hottel, Alan OV Illinois
Houck, Larry Washington
Housman, John C. New York
Hranicka, Joe Illinois
Hughes, Jim Texas
I  
Ingram, David Ohio
Innes, Jim Pennsylvania
J  
Janesic, Joe California, (webmaster, Fort MacArthur Museum -www.ftmac.org)
Jankowski, Andrew Illinois
John Massachusetts
Jonasen, Dean Germany, Washington
Jones, Donnie Jr Pennsylvania
Jordan, Jace Ohio
K  
Kalderis, D. Crete
Kallman, Ray Virginia
Kaltofen, Marco, Massachusetts
Kamienski, Roman, California
Karg, Dan, Minnesota
Karr, David Alaska
Kastner, Derek Virginia
Keilman, Larry Indiana
Kerns, Terry Alaska - RIP :-((
Kilian, Robert California
King, Jerome Kansas
Kinney, Richard E., Korea
Klco, Paul New Jersey
Koch, Jim Germany
Koch, Michael, Maryland
Koedel, Tom Pennsylvania
Koons, Weston South Dakota
Kosmeder, Raymond Wisconsin
Kotakis, Paul, Greece
Kotakis, Paul, Greece
Kramer, Chris California
Kramp, Ken, Maryland
Kraus, Andrew, Florida
Krimmel, Karl Michigan
Kuehn, Bob Minnesota
Kurylowicz, Chris Krzysztof Illinois
L  
LaFaye, Troy Minnesota
Lagerstrom, Stellan California
Larish, John Pennsylvania, Massachusetts
Larsen, David A. Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virgina
Laughlin, Kurt Pennsylvania
LaVite, Tyler Illinois
Layton, John California
Lesky, Mike Pennsylvania
Levine, Richard New York
Lewis, Rich Pennsylvania
Linhart, Bill Pennsylvania
Lisa, Mark P. LT Maryland
Lockman, Matt Illinois
M  
MacDonald, David New York
MacDonald, John Conneticut
MacDonald, James F Massachusetts
MacDonald, Raymond Rhode Island, Ft. Bliss
Make, Brenda Ellen New York, Conneticut
Mandeville, Paul New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania
Marak, Rich Pennsylvania
Markert, Tom New York
Martin, Roy Okinawa
Maxey, Gale L. California, Ohio, Virginia
McAulay, George Florida
McDonald, Mary Rose Connecticut
McGrath, J. Mass.
McNeill, Roy California
Meuti, Alessio Italy
Michalsky, Jay Florida, California, Indiana
Mikkelsen, S?ren Denmark, NAMFI
Miller, Keith Germany, Kansas
Miner, Marcia Conneticut
Mittermaier, Beth Wisconsin
Moats, Ronald P Ohio
Moore, J.P. New Mexico (ranges), Kansas
Moore, Leonard (Tony), California
Morin, Charles Illinois
Morales, Robert Virginia
Morgan, Mark, L. co-author of "Rings of Supersonic Steel" which formed the basis of this web page (book has much more than here), California, New Mexico, Texas, Washington
Morgenstern, Aaron Washington
Moses, Larry W. Indiana
Motel, Corey J. Illinois
Murdock, Scott California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Virginia, - WebSite USAF Installations
N  
Nagl, Roy New York
Needham, Andre Washington [state]
Neil, Jenna Wisconsin
Newton, Brent Maryland
"NikeSiteSearchers" Mark Morgan, Scott Murdock, and Tom Page e-mailed back and forth extensively (over 300 e-mails) trying to locate US Nike and related sites, mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, Greenland (Thule)
David Novak Illinois, Missouri, see web site
Norris, Rick Florida
O  
O'Callaghan, Brian New York
O'Connell, Dave Taiwan
O'Donnell, Mickey New Jersey
Ojarovsky, John Conneticut
Olson, Thomas California, Indiana
Osgood, Pete Pennsylvania
P  
Packard, Doug Washington
Page, Tom, California, Maryland, New York, Hawaii, "Google Earth" US Nike sites
Parrich, Richard Texas
Partington, Dennis K Michigan
Peabody, Milton New Jersey
Pellino, John A. Conneticut
Pendell, Bob Okinawa
Perale, Mirco Italy
Perro, Walter D LRL Illinois
Peterson, James D SGM Alaska
Pettinari, John Okinawa
Piland, Doyle Indiana, New York, website Nike Ajax and Hercules Ordnance Support Units
Plante, Ron Alaska, Minnesota, Washington, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York
Podgorski, Joseph Indiana
Poehlein, David M. Germany
Polmon, Dave Connecticut
Poole, Rowen S. Pennsylvania
Poskanzer, Jef, California, San Francisco Defense Area Nike sites with a detailed page for each site.
Powell, Nick Hawaii, Greenland
Proffitt, Bill J. Alaska
Pumphret, Eric Texas
Purcell, Alex Conneticut
Pytko, Walter Nebraska
R  
R, Marc Maryland
Raichle, Bob California
Rappange, Frank Germany (Royal Dutch Airforce)
Ray, Jim Washington
Revie, Charlie, Georgia
Rhoden, Allie Georgia
Ricks, Dave Crazyfornia
Riggs, Daryl Ohio
Rigney, Roger Korea
Rishar, Dave (Ishtar) Washington
Rivenbark, Burney Florida
Roberts-Abel, Cate New York
Roby, James Korea
Roehrig, Robert Maine, Kansas
Roggenkamp, Erik Denmark
Rollins, Bert California
Rovner, Jan Minnesota
Rubbo, A. Virginia
Runkle, George Pennsylvania
Rusher, J Okinawa
Russell, Gregory Illinois
Ruth, Dennis Virginia
Rzeznik, Jon Wisconsin
S  
Samek, Robert Conneticut
Sands, Dennis Michigan
Santagata, Gus Ohio, Minnesota
Santangelo, Russ Pennsylvania
Saucier, Carl Maine
Schafer, Jack Milwaukee
Schang, John Virginaia
Schilling, Carl Wisconsin
Schmidt, Michael Maryland
Schramm, Keith Washington
Schwanitz, Neil Michigan
Schwarz, Fred Michigan
Scola, Craig Alaska
Semple, Robert S Korea
Shabec, Fred Illinois
Shaffer, William Illinois
Sharp, Craig Michigan
Shaw, Bill Rhode Island
Shaw, Mike Texas
Siedzik, Jeremy Michigan
Siegfried, William (Bill) Indiana, Virgina, Maryland, Wisconsin, Illinois, Alaska
Simons, Gerald (Jerry) Florida
Simpson, Peter Mass.
Sinclair, Al Okinawa
Skertich, Rob Penn.
Smith, Larry L Alaska
Snowberg, Peter California, Alaska, Washington, New Mexico
S?bakk, Olav R. Norway
Sorrell, Evan Washington
Sparks, Billy, Alaska
Spilker, Dave, Washington
Springer, Richard Iowa
Stapleton, Mitchell Pennsylvania
Stephens. Charles E. Germany & New York
Stewart, Jerry Connecticut
Stock, Ronald Germany (Translations by Donald E. Bender)
Stokes, Sam California, Sam runs "Hole in the Head Press", publisher of "Rings of Supersonic Steel".
Stone, Jon Washington
Stoner, Jeff Maryland
Storemski, Steve J Michigan
Strang, Richard Florida
Strickland, Craig Florida
Sullivan, Glenn Massachusetts
Swain, Craig Virginia
Swanson, Ted Florida
T  
Talley, Jim New York
Tamburello, Joseph Hawaii
Tannucilli, Anthony P. "Tony" Maryland, New Jersey
Taylor, Howard Virginia
Tesar, Dan Nebraska
Thelen, Ed Illinois
Thompson, Ted Maryland
"Tim" California
Torrance, Hank Maryland
Tow, Jerry M New Jersey
Treib, Bill Indiana
Tseytlin, Anthony Washington
Tufts, Patrick California
Turner, Dayle K. Hawaii
Turner, Jon Kansas
Turner, Kenneth A. Georgia website
Tyler, Tim, Maryland, Michigan, California, Texas
U  
Usher, Richard (Rick) Wisconsin
V  
Vadnais, Ed California
Vaughn, Tom Florida, Illinois, Indiana, California, Maryland, Nike web site
W  
Wallace, Roy New Jersey
Warren, Jim Alaska
Warren, Mark Virginia
Weber, Mark New York
Welshans, Terry Illinois
White, Aaron Korea
Whitaker, Jim Florida, story Cuban Missile Crisis
Williams, Christopher Texas
Williams, Chuck Korea
Willis, Nate New York
Wilson, Doug, Ohio
Wisz, Ken , Korea
Woida, Carl, Illinois
Wong, Richard, Maryland
Woodbury, Tom Korea
Worrell, Bill California
Wright, Dan at Rolnick Observatory Connecticut
Wroblewski, Brian, New York
X  
Y  
Yeager, Dorian Washington
Z  
Zimnickas, Jeffrey Michigan


Asking permission
----- Original Message ----- 
From: - 
To: ed@ed-thelen.org 

Ed,
    I want to photograph the old Nike Site PH-58 in Swedsboro, NJ. 
I was wondering if you ever got permission to do that 
  and who you contacted to get permission? 
Thank You
 
- -
 
The very few (maybe 8?) old Nike sites that I have 
photographed were on public land in California and Illinois - 
 
It is considered polite, and is often advantageous,
    to get permission from the owner.
 
I am told of property owners/guardians who gave requesting visitors
    much more complete tours, under pleasant conditions,
    than the usual "gorilla" sneak in and 
    watch over your shoulder tactics.
 
    (If your not looking where your going 
       your even more likely to get hurt.)
 
There is even some self interest in a land owner
   giving you a nice tour and photo op.
 
  a) you the guest are less likely to bust in 
     and get hurt and sue
 
  b) if you publish the photos,
      it is  less macho for someone else
      to do a gorilla and getting hurt

(I know that asking might not be as challenging,
   but I chose other challenges,
   and am now slowing, creaking and lazy  ;-)
 
I am CCing Mark Morgan who has visited many
  U.S. sites for his impressions
 
In this case, easy way is often the best way ;-))
     Ed Thelen


CRASH !! - received March 2011
Hi Ed,

We?ve recently corresponded several times about MD/DC area Nike sites. I?d like to re-iterate something that I know you?ve addressed at length on your web site, namely safety. I?ve spent the last six weeks in a walking cast thanks to my own blithe disregard of safety factors on a certain ruined Nike site. My own story doesn?t bear telling, mostly because it is too easy to imagine: I took a Stupid Risk and got for my trouble something called a Jones Fracture. By the grace of God, I was able to simply walk out and drive myself to the hospital. Anyway, the thrust of my emphasis is thus:

  1. Old Nike sites-especially ruinous ones-are Dangerous. Any structure that you see hasn?t been maintained for at least 35 years, and probably closer to 50 years. Even sturdy-looking objects can be in a state of teetering disintegration. Blindly trusting an ancient ladder or a fence to support your weight is foolhardy. Assume that everything you see is compromised unless someone knowledgeable tells you otherwise. You would NOT want one of the emergency escape ladders to ?pop loose? and drop you into a pit. Also, there are underground structures you may not be aware of that can yawn open where you least expect them. I almost went head-first into a hidden septic pit a few months ago. It still smelled kinda ripe, even though the last use it got was in 1963..
  2. This advice goes double for underground or elevated spaces (i.e. magazines or radar towers). If you break a leg in a magazine and can?t climb out, you may very well end up being rodent chow. There?s no cell service down in the pits-I?ve checked. Yelling might not get you help, either. Most of the intact sites are a bit remote. God help you if you got a head injury and couldn?t signal for help at all.
  3. There?s another hazard, too: knuckleheads. I?ve seen plenty of evidence of them in my explorations. Taggers, huffers and dopeheads seem to just LOVE old Nike pits. I?ve never actually run into any of them in the flesh, but it is easy to imagine that they might be territorial and not fond of prying eyes. It occurs to me that an unwatched Nike pit would be a Jim-dandy place for some tweaker to set up his meth lab. Need I mention that you might not want to walk in on that??
  4. Lastly, I?ve seen any amount of crazy junk dragged into the pits; shopping carts, mattresses, dead deer, you name it. But the worst hazard is broken glass. If a pit is open and unattended, it?s gonna be full of broken glass.
Thanks again for your great site. And be careful out there!


Suffocation
Harold Sprague mentioned:

I thought that I would add an additional concern when entering abandoned confined spaces. There have been instances where old concrete pits have been accessed. There is a mold that grows that consumes oxygen and the volume belt high and lower can be predominately CO2. I have known people entering a valve vault and passed out after very short exposures. If there was no confined space entry protocol, there was no one to rescue the person and they died. It did not take that long for them to die in that environment.

Ed Thelen's remark ;-)
Not everyone carries a "miner's canary" to warn of hazardous atmosphere.

Attractive Nuisance
LA-Site 88, 16100 Browns Canyon Road, Chatsworth California
An attractive nuisance.
Ed,

I thought you might enjoy this article of a man who fell into the elevator sump at my old site, LA-88
https://signalscv.com/2018/09/man-airlifted-to-hospital-after-falling-down-abandoned-missile-silo/
It took the Los Angeles FD hours to pull him out.
I had written a letter to the LA Parks Department, and the Chatsworth Historical Society, asking them to fill the magazine with sand or destroy it. It was an “Attractive Nuisance”.
No response from the Parks Department, The Chatsworth Historical Society was in agreement.

Many YouTube videos of kids going inside.

These magazines were built before confined space protocol was recognized.
However there is a second way out through the blast room, and up the ladder.
So not technically a confined space, more than one way out besides the elevator.
After the Military left, they became confined spaces.

Greg Brown


When the US Army abandoned the LA-88 Nike Missile site, they sold the property to the State of California for $1.00. The State used the property as a California Conservation Corps Camp for a dozen years. Then the State turned over the property to Los Angeles County, which used the launcher area as a Sheriffs training facility.

The many YouTube videos have been made of the site that have only attracted more people and vandalism to the area, but the fact that this was an underground storage facility for nuclear missiles makes it a public safety danger.

The underground storage areas have deep sump pits and present fall hazards along with rodents and snakes.

The LA-88 Launcher area should be completely demolished and the underground missile magazines demolished, or filled with sand.

The Vault access doors welded shut, or completely leveled and the remaining buildings leveled, and the whole area returned to the original pristine condition that it was found in before 1956.

Los Angeles County has not been a good steward of the property, Nor the LA County Sheriffs who used the area as a training facility and left it trashed, along with an abandoned school bus on the site that is an eyesore and a public safety nuisance.

The US Army also shares responsibility for any environmental damage that occurred during the operation of the Base, formerly known as Battery C, 4th Battalion, 65th Air Defense Artillery, LA-88, Los Angeles Defense, from 1956 to 1974.

This was a former military installation. There were 120 personnel stationed there for a 20 year period, and was our First generation missile defense system.

Please honor the veterans like myself who served there and clean up the broken down graffiti covered ruins that one was a proud component of the cold war.

Respectfully yours,

Greg Brown, former Nike Hercules Missile Crewman, LA-88, 1969-1971

If you have comments or suggestions, Send e-mail to Ed Thelen

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Updated March, 2023