"We were the last line of defense" - Eric Muth, Army Veteran Nike Missile Sites and their missiles were constructed from the mid 1950’s to the early 1960’s. The Missile sites consisted of two separate units that were one to two miles away from each other. One unit was known as Integrated Fire Control Area which tracked enemy aircrafts and guided missiles to their targets. The launcher area stored thirty plus missiles in an underground magazine. The sites were an anti-aircraft system that was intended to shoot down Soviet bomber formations.
|
|
Aerial view of missile site Source: Eric Muth
|
“Bridgeport was considered a major installation site because of its defense industries” - Helen Garten, Former Westport First Selectwoman The missile sites were placed in a circle formation, known as an ‘iron ring of defense’, to surround Soviet targets. These targets were typically weapons manufacturing cities. The sites were placed throughout America and in parts of Europe. |
"We had to be ready to launch all the time" - Ken Bruno, Army Veteran
Connecticut had twelve Nike Sites in the towns of Avon, Ansonia, Cromwell, East Windsor, Fairfield, Manchester, Milford, New Britain, Plainville, Portland, West Haven and Westport. The missiles were never fired and became obsolete in the early 1960’s. National Guard and military personnel operated the sites.
|
|
Source: Eric Muth
|
“At several sites, the old buildings continue in use, recycled for education, science, recreation, offices and even agriculture” - David Leff, Subject Matter Expert
|
Most Nike sites were abandoned. Many of them are overgrown and are unrecognizable today. Some sites were repurposed like the Westport radar installation, which is now the Rolnick Observatory.
|