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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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Funding Sought for Third Missile by Laurie Bratone SANDY HOOK, NJ - Today two decommissioned Nike Ajax Missiles were delivered to Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area, National Park Service) from the Air Force Space and Missile Museum at Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Transportation costs were provided by the Sandy Hook Foundation, the Official Friends Group of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook. Chief of Interpretation and Cultural Resources at Sandy Hook, Lou Venuto, acknowledged the importance of acquiring these historically significant military devices for public education and awareness. “These missiles signify an important era in U.S. military defense in which Sandy Hook played a substantial role. Upon learning of the availability of the missiles, National Park Service personnel at Sandy Hook acted immediately to successfully secure them for the Park.” Sandy Hook Foundation President, Betsy Barrett, said that she is “delighted the Foundation is funding transport of the missiles to ultimately augment Sandy Hook’s historical military displays.” Barrett said that additional funding of $7,500 is being sought to transport a third missile, the Nike Hercules, also from Patrick Air Force Base.
Nike Ajax Missiles were developed by the U.S. Government in the mid 1940’s and became fully operational by the early 1950’s. Designed to engage faster and higher-flying aircraft, the Nike system depended on technological advances in radar and computers made during and after World War II. In 1946 the first test-launch occurred at White Sands Proving Ground, NM and soon after the first missile launch occurred there. The first Nike Ajax Unit was deployed in March, 1954 in Fort Meade, MD, and by May of that year it became fully operational on a 24 hour, combat-ready status. By 1958 almost 200 batteries were built around the majority of the United States’ major northern and coastal cities. But in this same year conversion to the Nike Ajax successor, the Nike Hercules, had begun. Batteries were either modified to accept the new missile, or deactivated. In 1963 the last United States’ Nike Ajax battery was deactivated in the Norfolk, Virginia area, although Nike Ajax missiles continued service abroad for many years.
At Sandy Hook during the late 1940’s antiaircraft gun batteries replaced earlier coastal defenses, and eventually Nike missiles replaced the gun batteries. The Fort Hancock missile battery site, Nike Battery NY-56, was activated in 1955. The four-magazine double site continued operation through 1974. Following their arrival from Cape Canaveral, the two Nike Ajax missiles will undergo restoration at Sandy Hook and then be displayed to the public. They will be exhibited at the original launch site located just north of the ranger station near the park maintenance area. Each Nike Missile is 21 feet in length (34’ 10” with booster) with a diameter of 12 inches. The wingspan is 4 ft, 6 in and each weighs over 1,000 pounds (over 2,455 with booster). Nike missiles traveled at a speed of Mach 2.3, or 1,679 mph and reached a distance of 25 to 30 miles. The Sandy Hook Foundation is the Official Friends Group of the National Park and is dedicated to service as a partner with the National Park Service, acting as a catalyst for nurturing and protecting Sandy Hook and historic Fort Hancock for future generations. For more information about the Sandy Hook Foundation please call 732-291-7733 or to contact the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, call the visitor’s center at 732-872-5970.
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