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Nike BR-04 Ansonia

If you were stationed at this Nike site, or any of the nearby sites in CT or MA, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact us at webmaster@coldwar-ct.com



On July 8, 1955 the U.S. Army announced on  that they would be acquiring several parcels of land for a Nike Ajax missile installation in Ansonia, CT.
 
The bases were operational from 1957 thru June, 1971
The types of missiles at the base included both Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules.  Nike 3B/18H, 30A/12L-U.

The IFC radar site was at 119-1/2 Ford St. The site is currently used by the U.S. Forest Service and some of the original buildings are still standing.

The launch battery was at Osborne Ln & Deerfield, currently a farm.

Ansonia Nike Site Time Line:

July 8, 1955 — As talks of peace turn cold, the U.S. Army announces plans to build a missile defense site in Ansonia. This Nike site consists of radars and computers in a fire-control area on Ford Street and missile launching pads with underground elevators on Osborne Lane.

Dec. 11, 1955 — U.S. Army purchases 81.9 acres of land.

1956 — First missile launch elevators arrive.

Feb. 25, 1956 —The government takes 4.5 acres from the Ansonia Airport to construct military housing.

May 1958 — The first Hercules nucleur missiles arrive

Oct. 14-28, 1962 — Site is placed on high alert and personnel called to full battle station during Cuban missile crisis.

1963 — Connecticut National Guard technicians beginning training on the site. The following year, D-Battery, First Battalion 192nd Artillery Division of the National Guard takes over.

Nov. 22, 1963 — Site placed on high alert for possible foreign attack following assasination of President John F. Kennedy.

Nov. 9, 1965 — Site placed on high alert and personnel called to battle stations during the Northeast blackout.

June 1971 — The Ansonia site is decommissioned; the development of intercontinental missiles made it obsolete.


Ansonia Evening Sentinel, November 25 ,1963 (1)



1963 Battery Roster



Ansonia IFC radar and control site, 1964.



Ansonia launching area, 1964.



Tracking radar.



HiPar Radar





HiPar Radar Shack



(6)

Ansonia I.F.C. site visit, December, 2010



Entrance to access road to former IFC site.



Access road.
  
The Forest Service currently occupies the former Ansonia I.F.C. on Ford St.


Ansonia battery.



Security fencing.



The foundation of the guard shack.



A private farm occupies the launch site.


One of the original launch site buildings.



Photo of the Ansonia IFC radar site.



Contemporary image of the Ansonia IFC, upper right.  Probably around 2010.  The forner Nike site buildings can be seen in the upper right of this photo.
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