Norfolk Defense Area (original) (raw)

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Norfolk Defense Area

Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.

Site designations and locations of Nike missile batteries built in the mid-1950s defending the tidewater region are:

(N-02) Fox Hill (N-63/later N-69) Nansemond/Suffolk

(N-20) Ocean View (temporary site) (N-75) Smithfield/Carrolton

(N-25/later N-29) Fort Story (N-85/later N-97) Denbigh/Patrick Henry

(N-36/later N-49) Kempsville (N-93/later N-99) Hampton/Spiegelville.

(N-52/later N-59) Deep Creek/Portsmouth

Headquarters facilities were located at Fort Monroe, Ballantine School in Norfolk, Reedsville/South Norfolk, Graddock Branch/Portsmouth, and Newport News.

The world's largest naval complex received an extensive air defense network. Sites N-25, N-52, and N-85 were modernized to fire the Nike Hercules missile. Site N-63 held

the distinction of being the last to operate Nike Ajax, being deactivated in November 1964. Command and control was operated from a "BIRDIE" site located at the Hampton Roads Army Terminal.

Both Regular Army and Virginia Army National Guard Units contributed to the manning of the sites. In 1958, men of the 4th Missile Battalion, 51st Artillery formed an integrated choral group that performed at local hospitals and other venues over the next few years.

Sites at (N-52) Deep Creek/Portsmouth and (N-85) Denbigh/Patrick Henry remained active until April 1974.

Subtopics

Nike N-02 12 Nike Ajax launchers.. Operational 1955 - 1963. Control site Fort Monroe HQ Training and Doctrine Command. Launch site Fort Monroe HQ Training and Doctrine Command .

Nike N-25/29 24 Nike Ajax/Nike Hercules launchers. Operational 1957 - Jun 1971 . Control site Army amphibious training site. Launch site Army amphibious training site.

Nike N-36 12 Nike Ajax launchers.. Operational 1955 - 1964. Control site City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. Launch site parks and Recreation maintenance.

Nike N-52 8 Nike Ajax/Nike Hercules launchers.. Operational 1955 - Apr 1974 . Control site Chesapeake Alternative School. Launch site public Safety Training Center.

Nike N-63 12 Nike Ajax launchers.. Operational 1955 - Nov 1964 . Control site USAR Center. Launch site Bennett's Creek Park.

Nike N-75 12 Nike Ajax launchers.. Operational 1955 - Jun 1961 . Control site Isle of Wight County Park. Launch site isle of Wight County Park.

Nike N-85 12 Nike Ajax/8 Nike Hercules launchers. Operational 1955 - Apr 1974 . Control site Peninsula Airport Commission. Launch site peninsula Airport Commission.

Nike N-93 12 Nike Ajax launchers.. Operational 1955 - 1963. Control site USAR Center. Launch site USAR Center.

Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Nike Ajax, Nike Hercules. Bibliography: 13403.

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