Version 3.4 - 28 Dec 2003
Introduction
US Army Nike missile bases were sometimes built on former Army Air Forces / US Air Force property. Similarly, when Nike sites were inactivated and disposed of by the Army, some of them were transferred to the US Air Force. This concept applied to the three major types of Nike real property; control sites (also called Integrated Fire Control, or IFC, sites), launcher sites, and housing annexes.
This creates an interesting situation for the researcher. The same piece of real estate has different names from different periods of use by separate services. This paper highlights these cases of dual identity that I've encountered. I'm sure others exist, so if you know of other instances please let me know!
This paper does not address the concurrent assignment of Nike headquarters or radar units on active Air Force AC&W radar stations, which was a common practice. I have, however, included a few instances where Nike control sites or launcher sites were operated on active Air Force bases.
The Installations
| NIKE: Anchorage Nike Site Bay |
| USAF: Anchorage Nike Site Bay |
| This Nike site, at Goose Bay, Alaska, was used from about 1959 to 30 Jul 1979. The land was acquired by the Air Force (withdrawn from Bureau of Land Management) on 16 Oct 1956. It was transferred to the Army on 8 Oct 1957. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documents indicate the control area is a correctional center owned by the state of Alaska; the launcher site has remained abandoned since it transferred to the University of Alaska. |
| NIKE: Oahu Nike Site OA-32L |
| USAF: Bellows Air Force Base (Redesignated Bellows Air Force Station in 1967), BFMV |
| This Nike site was used from about 1961 to 1970. It is built on the southeast part of Bellows AFS. Disposition of the Nike facilities is unknown; Bellows AFS is still an active off-base annex of Hickam AFB, serving primarily as a recreational facility. |
| NIKE: Washington Nike Site W-36 Housing |
| USAF: Brandywine Family Housing Annex, CFJN |
| This housing area in Brandywine, Maryland, supported Washington Nike Site W-36 from approximately 1957 - 1961. It was transferred from the Army to the Air Force (Headquarters Command) on 10 Jun 1963. At that time it was redesignated; and Jurisdiction, Control, and Accountability assigned to Andrews AFB. At some later time it transferred to Military Airlift Command, and on 1 Jun 1992 transferred to Air Mobility Command. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Providence Nike Site PR-69C |
| USAF: Coventry Air National Guard Station, EQDF |
| Nike Site PR-69, near Coventry, Rhode Island, was in use approximately 1958 to 1963. On 25 Sep 75 the control site property was designated the Coventry ANG Station, Air National Guard. It was assigned to the United States Property and Fiscal Officer, State of Rhode Island for real property jurisdiction and control. This site was still active in the mid 1990s. |
| NIKE: Washington Nike Site W-25 Housing |
| USAF: Davidsonville Family Housing Annex, FBJS |
| This housing area, southeast of Bowie, Maryland, supported Washington Nike Site W-25 from approximately 1958 - 1974. It was gained as an off-base installation of Andrews AFB on 21 Feb 1975, under Headquarters Command. At some later time it transferred to Military Airlift Command, and on 1 Jun 1992 transferred to Air Mobility Command. Current status is unknown; I visited this site on 7 Dec 1997 and found the gate locked and the windows boarded-up, with AF signs still mounted on the fence. |
| NIKE: Ellsworth Nike Site E-40L |
| USAF: Ellsworth Academic Annex, FXBS |
| The E-40 launcher site was used by the Nike program approximately 1957 - 1958. It was gained by Ellsworth AFB on 30 Sep 63, as Ellsworth Academic Annex (also referred to as South Nike Education Annex). As of Nov 99, it was still on the Ellsworth AFB real property books, excess and awaiting disposition. I visited this site in May 2001 and found that most buildings had recently been demolished. An automotive junkyard now occupies most of the launcher site property. |
| NIKE: Ellsworth Nike Site E-01 Housing |
| USAF: Ellsworth Family Housing Annex #1, FXDC |
| This housing area, north of Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, supported Ellsworth Nike Site E-01 for an undetermined length of time. On or about 30 Dec 1963 this housing area was designated Ellsworth Family Housing Annex No 1, activated, and assigned to Ellsworth AFB. It was inactivated on 4 Nov 1970. When I visited this site in May 2001, it was abandoned and the homes had been removed, leaving the basements exposed. |
| NIKE: Ellsworth Nike Site E-40 Housing |
| USAF: Ellsworth Family Housing Annex #2, FXDD |
| This housing area, 6 miles southwest of Box Elder, South Dakota, supported Ellsworth Nike Site E-40 from approximately 1957 - 1958. It was assigned as an off-base installation to Ellsworth AFB on 25 May 1961. It is commonly referred to as South Nike Housing Area, and is still controlled by Ellsworth AFB. As of Nov 99, it is excess, pickled, and awaiting disposition. When I visited in May 2001, USAF signs were still in place. |
| NIKE: Ellsworth Nike Site E-20 Housing |
| USAF: Ellsworth Family Housing Annex #3, FXDE |
| This housing area, 1 mile northeast of Box Elder, South Dakota, supported Ellsworth Nike Site E-20 from approximately 1957 - 1958. It was assigned as an off-base installation to Ellsworth AFB on 25 May 1961. It is commonly referred to as East Nike Housing Area, and is still controlled by Ellsworth AFB. As of Nov 99, it is excess, pickled, and awaiting disposition. When I visited in May 2001, USAF signs were still in place. |
| NIKE: Ellsworth Nike Site E-70 Housing |
| USAF: Ellsworth Family Housing Annex #4, FXDF |
| This housing area, 4.5 miles west of Ellsworth, South Dakota, supported Ellsworth Nike Site E-70 from approximately 1957 - 1958. It was assigned as an off-base installation to Ellsworth AFB on 25 May 1961. It is commonly referred to as West Nike Housing Area, and is still controlled by Ellsworth AFB. As of Nov 99, it is excess, pickled, and awaiting disposition. When I visited in May 2001, USAF signs were still in place. |
| NIKE: Fairbanks Nike Battery Fox |
| USAF: Fairbanks Nike Battery Fox |
| This Nike site, 10 miles west of Fairbanks, Alaska, was acquired between 28 Nov 1952 and 27 Apr 1957. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documents indicate the land was acquired first for the Air Force, and then for the Army. Changing defense requirements eliminated the need for a Nike site at this location; and the land was declared excess by the Army on 20 Sep 1957 before construction began. No Air Force use of the property has been identified, and this was probably just a joint effort to get the Nike site up and running. |
| NIKE: Fairbanks Nike Battery Jig, 5343 |
| USAF: Fairbanks Nike Battery Jig, 5343 |
| This Nike site, 5 miles south of Eielson AFB, Alaska, was first used in about Mar 1959. On 1 Jan 1961 it transferred from the USAF (under Ladd AFB) to the Army, where it remained in use until about Apr 1970. No Air Force use of the property has been identified, and this was probably just a joint effort to get the Nike site up and running. |
| NIKE: Fairbanks Nike Battery Peter, 5340 |
| USAF: Fairbanks Nike Battery Peter, 5340 |
| This Nike site, 15 miles east of Eielson AFB, Alaska, was first used in about Mar 1959. On 1 Jan 1961 it transferred from the USAF (under Ladd AFB) to the Army, where it remained in use until about Apr 1971. No Air Force use of the property has been identified, and this was probably just a joint effort to get the Nike site up and running. |
| NIKE: Fairbanks Nike Battery Tare, 5341 |
| USAF: Fairbanks Nike Battery Tare, 5341 |
| This Nike site, 20 miles south of Nenana, Alaska, was first used in about Mar 1959. On 1 Jan 1961 it transferred from the USAF (under Ladd AFB) to the Army, where it remained in use until about Apr 1971. No Air Force use of the property has been identified, and this was probably just a joint effort to get the Nike site up and running. |
| NIKE: Fairchild Nike Site F-07C |
| USAF: Fairchild Communications Facility Annex, GJLK |
| Near Airway Heights, Washington, this Nike IFC area was operational from approximately 1956 to 1960. On 1 Apr 1963, it was activated as Fairchild Communications Facility Annex, an off-base site of Fairchild AFB. It was redesignated as White Bluff Communications Site on 15 May 1983, under Air Force Space Command. On 1 Apr 1987 it was redesignated as Spokane Satellite Tracking Site No. 1. I believe this installation was still active in 1999. |
| NIKE: Fairchild Nike Site F-37 |
| USAF: Four Lakes Communications Station, GXTN |
| This Nike complex, 3.5 miles north-northeast of Cheney, Washington, was operational from approximately 1957 to 1960. In 1961the property was placed under Air Force control; both the control site and launcher site are encompassed by the Four Lakes Communications Station, Air National Guard. I believe this installation was still active in 1999. |
| NIKE: Philadelphia Nike Site PH-41/43 Housing |
| USAF: Gibbsboro Family Housing Annex, HWUR |
| This Nike housing area near Sicklerville, New Jersey, consisted of 24 units. It was built in approximately 1958 and supported Philadelphia Nike Site PH-41/43. At some point in time, probably about 1976, it was transferred to the Air Force for use by Gibbsboro AFS, New Jersey. At some later time, probably about 1984, it was transferred back to the Army and assigned to Fort Dix. This installation was directed to close by the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. |
| NIKE: Loring Nike Site L-58 Housing |
| USAF: Loring Family Housing Annex #2, NRCW |
| This housing area 3 miles south-southwest of Caribou, Maine, supported Loring Nike Site L-58. It was established on 19 Jan 1960, and used until approximately 1966 for the Nike program. It was activated by the Air Force (Strategic Air Command) on 1 May 1966. At that time it was redesignated as Loring Family Housing Annex #2. It was inactivated on 1 Oct 1980, declared excess on 15 Dec 1980, then reactivated on 12 May 1981. On 3 Jan 1995, it was transferred for accountability from Loring AFB to Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Loring Nike Site L-85 Housing |
| USAF: Loring Family Housing Annex #3, NRCX |
| This housing area near Limestone, Maine, supported Loring Nike Site L-85. It was established on 11 March 1959, and used until approximately 1960 for the Nike program. It was activated by the Air Force (Strategic Air Command) on 1 May 1966. At that time it was redesignated as Loring Family Housing Annex #3. It was inactivated on 1 Oct 1980, declared excess on 15 Dec 1980, then reactivated on 12 May 1981. On 3 Jan 1995, it was transferred for accountability from Loring AFB to Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Loring Nike Site L-13 Housing |
| USAF: Loring Family Housing Annex #4, NRCY |
| This housing area 12 miles north of Van Buren, Maine, supported Loring Nike Site L-13 during approximately 1957 - 1966. It was transferred to the Air Force (Strategic Air Command) in approximately 1966. At that time it was redesignated as Loring Family Housing Annex #4. On 3 Jan 1995, it was transferred for accountability from Loring AFB to Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Loring Nike Site L-31 Housing |
| USAF: Loring Family Housing Annex #5, NRCZ |
| This housing area near Limestone, Maine, supported Loring Nike Site L-31. It was established on 23 Jan 1958, and used until approximately 1960 for the Nike program. It was activated by the Air Force (Strategic Air Command) on 1 May 1966. At that time it was redesignated as Loring Family Housing Annex #2. It was inactivated on 1 Oct 1980, declared excess on 15 Dec 1980, then reactivated on 12 May 1981. On 3 Jan 1995, it was transferred for accountability from Loring AFB to Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Loring Nike Site L-85C |
| USAF: Louis Blotner Radar Bomb Scoring Site, NSNK |
| This Nike control site was active from 1957 to 1960. On 24 June 1963, it was designated Louis Blotner Radar Bomb Scoring Site, activated, and assigned to Loring AFB. On 15 May 1983, it was redesignated Louis Blotner Communications Facility Site No. 1. On 1 Apr 1987 it was redesignated Louis Blotner Satellite Tracking Site 1. It was inactivated and declared excess on 30 Jun 1990, and disposed on 1 Nov 1993. |
| NIKE: San Francisco Nike Site SF-25C |
| USAF: Mount Martell Air National Guard Radio Relay Annex, RABK |
| This Nike site was operational from approximately 1956 to 1959. It was transferred from the Army to the Air Force, designated as Mount Martell ANG Radio Relay Annex, and assigned to the Air National Guard on 5 Feb 1962. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Walker Nike WA-10L |
| USAF: New Mexico Air National Guard |
| This Nike site was built in approximately 1960, but shut down before becoming operational. A 1975 topographical map labels this area as New Mexico Air National Guard. Exact use is not known. Current status not known. |
| NIKE: Providence Nike Site PR-58C |
| USAF: North Kingstown ANG Station, RZNN |
| This Nike control site was active from 1956 to 1963. At some later time before 1975, it became a Rhode Island Air National Guard installation. Current status is unknown; the ANG station was reported to be active as recently as 1990. Reported by Mark Morgan. |
| NIKE: Providence Nike Site PR-99C |
| USAF: North Smithfield Air National Guard Station, SAEJ |
| This Nike control site near North Smithfield, Rhode Island, was operational from approximately 1956 to 1971. On 1 Jul 1971 it was designated North Smithfield ANG Station. On that date real property jurisdiction, control, and maintenance responsibility were assigned to the Rhode Island Air National Guard, and real property accountability was assigned to the U.S. Property and fiscal Officer, State of Rhode Island. I believe this installation is still active. |
| NIKE: Bridgeport Nike Site BR-15C |
| USAF: Orange Air National Guard Communications Station, SKXJ |
| This Nike facility was operational from approximately 1956 to 1961. Date of transfer to the Air Force is unknown; but by 15 Dec 1975 it was listed as Orange ANG Communications Station, an active Air National Guard detached installation. I believe this installation is still active. |
| NIKE: Oahu Nike Site OA-63 |
| USAF: Palehua AF Solar Observatory Research Site, STQS |
| Located 2 miles northwest of Ewa, Oahu Island, Hawaii, this Nike complex (two control sites and one double-size launcher site) was in use from about 1961 to about 1968. On 18 Sep 1968 it was designated the Palehua AF Solar Observatory Research Site, activated, and assigned to Military Airlift Command with jurisdiction and operational control assigned to Air Weather Service. The site is believed to still be active, as a detached installation of Hickam AFB. Part of this property (Control Site 5, from the Nike layout) had an even earlier use by the Army Air Forces. The Puu Manawahua Radar Station and Base Camp was a W.W.II Aircraft Warning Station, and continued to list in 1947 and 1948 USAF Installation Directories. |
| NIKE: Travis Nike Site T-53L |
| USAF: Potrero Hills Storage Annex, TQYP |
| This Nike facility was operational from approximately 1957 to 1959. The property was transferred from the Army to the Air Force on 31 Jul 1964. On that date it was designated as Potrero Hills Storage Annex; and jurisdiction, control, and accountability were assigned to Travis AFB. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Walker Nike Site WA-50 |
| AAF: Roswell Auxiliary Field #3 |
| Located 11 miles south of Roswell Army Airfield, this was an auxiliary field to Roswell during W.W.II. It became home to both components (control site and launcher site) of Walker Nike Site WA-50, which was constructed but never became operational. Mark Morgan reported, in approximately 1990, the control site had become the Roswell Correctional Center, and the launcher site was abandoned but partially intact. Current status is unknown. |
| NIKE: Detroit Nike Site D-14C/D-16C |
| USAF: Selfridge AFB, VGLZ |
| This Nike facility, a dual-battery control site, was constructed on the southern part of Selfridge AFB, and was operational approximately 1955 - 1971. After inactivation, the property reverted to Selfridge AFB (now Selfridge ANGB). |
| NIKE: Detroit Nike Site D-14L |
| USAF: Selfridge AFB, VGLZ |
| This Nike launcher site (Ajax only), located east of D-14C/16C on Selfridge AFB, was operational approximately 1955 - 1963. After inactivation, the property reverted to Selfridge AFB (now Selfridge ANGB). |
| NIKE: Detroit Nike Site D-15DC |
| USAF: Selfridge AFB, VGLZ |
| This Nike site, located on the north part of Selfridge AFB, was operational approximately 1955 - 1971. After inactivation, the property reverted to Selfridge AFB (now Selfridge ANGB). |
| NIKE: Detroit Nike Site D-16L |
| USAF: Selfridge AFB, VGLZ |
| This Nike launcher site (Ajax, then Hercules), located west of D-14C/16C on Selfridge AFB, was operational approximately 1955 - 1971. After inactivation, the property reverted to Selfridge AFB (now Selfridge ANGB). |
| NIKE: Los Angeles Nike Site LA-96L |
| USAF: Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, VHRJ |
| This Nike base was active from approximately 1955 to the early 1970s. On 15 Jun 1973 it was established as an Air Force installation, the Sepulveda Air National Guard Station. On that date, it was assigned for jurisdiction, control, and authority to the Air National Guard. Mark Morgan reported, in approximately 1990, it was still active. I believe it is still an active installation. |
| NIKE: New York Nike Site NY-15C |
| USAF: Slocum AFB |
| This Nike facility, on Davids Island was operational from approximately 1955 - 1960. Fort Slocum transferred from the Army to the Air Force sometime in the late 1940s. It was redesignated Slocum AFB on 10 Jun 1949, and only remained in the Air Force inventory a short time. Disposition after Nike use is unknown. |
| NIKE: Chicago Milwaukee Radar Defense Ring CM-01R (sometimes labeled CM-10R) |
| USAF: Two Creeks Air Force Station / Two Creeks Gap Filler Annex, 3311 |
| Starting in about 1954, this was the site of Two Creeks AFS (M-106). This was a manned radar station, only operational for a couple years. On 1 Jul 1957, the installation was redesignated Two Creeks GFA (P-19B). Available information suggests that from about 1957 until Spring 1960 this property was used not by the Air Force, but by the Army as a Nike radar site (part of a short-lived radar "ring" supplementing the Nike sites around Chicago and Milwaukee). The property may have remained on the Air Force real property inventory as a gap filler annex even while the Army was in control of the site. Starting in about 1960, the Air Force moved back in and set up a gap filler radar. The gap filler site was declared excess in 1969. |
| NIKE: Niagara Falls Nike Site NF-03L |
| USAF: Youngstown Test Site, ZQER |
| This was an active Nike site from approximately 1955 to 1963. The launcher site was acquired by the USAF in 1965. Nate Willis reported subsequent Air Force use to Ed Thelen; comparison of USGS maps with TerraServer satellite imagery confirmed the double-size launcher site had become the Youngstown Test Site. This site was the western end of a troposcatter test range under the jurisdiction of Griffiss AFB. Current disposition is unknown. |
| NIKE: Dallas-Fort Worth Nike Site DF-70 |
| USAF: Wolters Air Force Base |
| This former W.W.II Army post (Camp Wolters) is 3 miles east of Mineral Wells, Texas. On 6 Mar 1951 it was redesignated Wolters Air Force Base. On 15 Dec 1956 jurisdiction, control, and accountability transferred back to the Army. Nike site DF-70 was operational from about 1960 to 1969. Currently, Fort Wolters is still an active installation of the Texas Army National Guard. |
Potential Additions
| Los Angeles Nike Site LA-78C may have been the site of the Air Force's Malibu Gap Filler Annex. At this time it is unclear if the Malibu GFA was actually constructed, or was just planned. Reported by Mark Morgan. |
| Baltimore Nike Site BA-09 may have subsequently been assigned to the Air Force. This is speculation based on the fact that Andrews AFB maintains a copy of the BA-09 layout plan in their engineering archives. |
| Oahu Nike Site OA-84C, on Peacock Flat Road, 5 miles southwest of Waialua, Oahu Island, Hawaii, may have become a USAF training site (identity not yet determined). Reported by Mark Morgan. |
| Oahu Nike Site OA-84L may have existed on Dillingham AFB, 4 miles west of Waialua, Oahu Island, Hawaii. Launchers were adjacent to the airfield, though property boundaries have not been confirmed. Reported by Mark Morgan. |
| Los Angeles Nike Site LA-09C may have been the site of the Air Force's Mount Disappointment Radio Relay Site, QYHS. Not confirmed, this is suspected because both were reported to be located on Mount Disappointment. |
| Loring Nike Site L-58C may have been the site of the Air Force's Caribou Communications Facility Annex, DCTE. This is suspected because a DAF order shows the Air Force property was transferred from the Army in 1966. An FAA long-range radar now sits on this property, supporting the Northeast Air Defense Sector. |
| Milwaukee Nike Site M-42C was transferred to the Wisconsin Air National Guard and used from 1962 to 1972, according to a Corps of Engineers Inventory Project Report (INPR). The name or use of this 8.44 acre property, under the Air National Guard, is not yet known. |
Summary
The reuse of military properties by other services is an efficient way of meeting real property needs, which do change over time. The challenge to the researcher is realizing when this has occurred, so installations can be properly cross-referenced. This paper shows examples of this concept in practice, specifically Nike sites which have prior or later Air Force service.
I am interested in improving this paper, which is merely an attempt to bring the subject to light and encourage more research. If you have additional information please let me know. I would like to occasionally revise this page as new details come to light.
Sources
Morgan, M.L. (1992). Air Force Stations - ADC / NORAD Radar Defenses. Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania: AEROMK.
Morgan, M.L. and Berhow, M.A. (1996). Rings of Supersonic Steel. San Pedro, California: Fort Macarthur Military Press.
Mueller, R. (1989). Air Force Bases, Volume I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Alaska District. Alaska
District FUDS GIS Database.
Formerly available online at: http://akfuds.poa.usace.army.mil/maps/v2/mapindex.html
(Unavailable when this document was prepared.)
Thelen, Ed. Ed Thelen's Nike Missile Web Site.
McManus, Gene. Online Radar Museum.
Various DAF and MAJCOM general and special orders.
Various USAF and Army layout plans.
E-mail correspondence from Harold M. Cocherell, Don Bender, Mark Morgan, Gene McManus, Tom Page, Karen Hoffman, and Cheryl Cordray.
Moral support and hearty encouragement from the usual suspects.
28 Dec 2003, Version 3.4 - Minor update. Added Milwaukee Nike Site M-42C to Potential Additions.
24 Aug 2002, Version 3.3 - Minor update. Added Gibbsboro Family Housing Annex (Nike PH-41/43 Housing).
16 Aug 2002, Version 3.2 - Minor update. Clarified chronological use of Two Creeks AFS (Nike CM-01R).
10 Aug 2002, Version 3.1 - Minor update. Corrected Nike designation of Fairchild Communications Facility Annex from F-07L to F-07C. Added prior AAF/USAF use to Nike Site OA-63, Palehua AF Solar Observatory Research Site.
29 Jul 2001, Version 3.0 - Another major update. Corrected information for Ellsworth Academic Annex to show Nike E-40L instead E-40C. Added current status notes to the Ellsworth sites. Added Ellsworth Family Housing Annex #1 (Nike E-01 Housing), North Kingstown ANG Station (Nike PR-58C), New Mexico Air National Guard (Nike WA-10), and Louis Blotner RBSS (Nike L-85C). Confirmed Two Creeks AFS (Nike CM-01R). Added Mount Disappointment RR Site (Nike LA-09C) and Caribou Communications Facility Annex (Nike L-58C) to the potential additions list.
29 Dec 1999, Version 2.0 - Major update. Added entries for Ellsworth Academic Annex (Nike E-40C), Anchorage Nike Site Bay, Fairbanks Nike Site Fox, Selfridge AFB (Nike D-14 and D-16), and Slocum AFB (Nike NY-15C). Added comments to Potrero Hills Storage Annex, and Ellsworth Family Housing Annexes #2, #3, and #4. Added U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, web page to reference list. Added Cheryl Cordray to E-mail correspondence reference list.
11 Nov 1999, Version 1.0 - Original text.