Minneapolis-Saint Paul Defense Area
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Nike air defense area, consisting of several Nike missile batteries to defend urban, industrial, and military targets from Soviet bomber attacks.
In operation from 1959 until 1971, the following four Nike Hercules batteries guarded the approaches to the Twin Cities: (MS-20) Roberts, (MS-40) Farmington, (MS-70) Bonifacius, and (MS-90) Bethel/Isanti.
The Chicago District of the Corps of Engineers oversaw construction of these sites. The four batteries were manned by Regular Army units. The Birdie command and control facility, located at Snelling Air Force Station, provided target designation information to the batteries. Headquarters facilities were also located at Snelling.
Subtopics
- Nike MS-20 12 Nike Hercules launchers.. Operational Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 . Control site Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to Saint Croix County. Launch site Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to Saint Croix County.
- Nike MS-40 12 Nike Hercules launchers.. Operational Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 . Control site USAR Center. Launch site transferred from DoD control to another party.
- Nike MS-70 12 Nike Hercules launchers.. Operational Oct 1959 - Jun 1971 . Control site private ownership. Launch site transferred from DoD control to another party.
- Nike MS-90 12 Nike Hercules launchers.. Operational 1959 - Jun 1971 . Control site Insanti County Sheriff's Department. Launch site private ownership.
Related
- Country
- USA
- Launch Vehicles
- Nike Hercules
- Bibliography
- 13403