Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nike Missile Radar Site
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Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
Aircraft changed the style of warfare forever, and by the end of World War II anti-aircraft guns had taken over the key defensive role at Fort Hancock. The Cold War era brought a change from anti-aircraft guns to supersonic radar guided air defense missiles that could intercept jet warplanes. These surface-to-air, Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules missiles were housed here between 1954 and 1974.
Soldiers assigned to the Nike Missiles defenses worked in one of two locations: the Radar Area, known as the Integrated Fire Control Area (IFC), or the Missile Launch Area. These area are only open to the public during scheduled open house events.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Forts and Castles • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 40° 26.862′ N, 73° 59.636′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. Marker is on Hartshorne Drive north of Atlantic Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nike Missile Site (a few steps from this marker); British Embarkation (within shouting distance of this marker); H.M.S. Assistance Tragedy Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Last Tragic Episode of the American Revolution (about 600 feet away); Nike-Hercules (approx. ¾ mile away); Nike Ajax Explosion Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); Nike-Ajax (approx. ¾ mile away); Guardian Park Picnic Area (approx. 0.8 miles away).
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.