From January 1955 to February 1963, Detroit was provided protection from post-World War II attack by no fewer than sixteen missile sites, which housed new NIKE Ajax warheads. This was part of a complicated and detailed protection plan spanning the area between Detroit and Cleveland. These facilities surrounded Detroit, from Auburn Hills and Utica, southward to Carleton.
Three NIKE missile sites were located Downriver: D-51 in Grosse Ile, D-54 in Riverview, and D-61 near Wayne-Major Airport (today's Metro Airport) in Romulus. Each site was fully equipped with numerous NIKE Ajax missiles ready at a moment's notice should post-war conditions warrant an attack. |
The reasons behind protecting Detroit at the time were numerous, yet simple. During World War II, the city earned the term "Arsenal of Democracy," among the nation's leaders in wartime production of weaponry and transportation. This alone may have been seen as a threat by the enemy.
Also taken into consideration was Detroit's long-standing ties (and international connections) with Canada, which had long wanted to avoid war. The strength of trade and commerce was as strong between the two countries then as they are today.
The third and most obvious reason may have been the city's continued standing as the automotive capital of the world.
Also taken into consideration was Detroit's long-standing ties (and international connections) with Canada, which had long wanted to avoid war. The strength of trade and commerce was as strong between the two countries then as they are today.
The third and most obvious reason may have been the city's continued standing as the automotive capital of the world.
BACKGROUND: What prompted the need for protection?
The United States was trying to stay one step ahead of the enemy in an effort to resolve the conflicts in World War II. Part of their strategy was to combat increased technological abilities of the opposition, many of whom were running jet aircraft which were faster and more effective than their older equipment. Conventional methods (through a gunning system) needed to be bumped up for the United States to gain a clear upper hand. In 1944, the War Department approved the use of Project NIKE, which was backed by the U.S. Army, developed by Bell Laboratories, and won out over the Project Thumper bid proposed by General Electric (of which the U.S. Air Force would later have an interest and stake).
Following the close of the war in 1945, there appeared to be peace on the surface, but tensions continued to mount, especially from the Soviet Union.
Project NIKE involved the use of multiple radars to help guide each missile to its target area before the warhead expended its fuel. Guidance was vital, as it was no longer possible for a supersonic rocket to simply do its damage based on force alone. Three separate radar systems had to be used for maximum effectiveness. The missiles were produced by Douglas (today, McDonnell-Douglas), could reach speeds of 1,000 MPH, and climb to an altitude of 70,000 feet with a 25-mile range capability.
The first successful test of the NIKE missile was conducted in November 1951, and the first missiles were deployed to their holding sites in 1953.
Following the close of the war in 1945, there appeared to be peace on the surface, but tensions continued to mount, especially from the Soviet Union.
Project NIKE involved the use of multiple radars to help guide each missile to its target area before the warhead expended its fuel. Guidance was vital, as it was no longer possible for a supersonic rocket to simply do its damage based on force alone. Three separate radar systems had to be used for maximum effectiveness. The missiles were produced by Douglas (today, McDonnell-Douglas), could reach speeds of 1,000 MPH, and climb to an altitude of 70,000 feet with a 25-mile range capability.
The first successful test of the NIKE missile was conducted in November 1951, and the first missiles were deployed to their holding sites in 1953.
Downriver sites go into protection mode starting in 1955
Beginning in January 1955, the Grosse Ile and Riverview stations were in full operation. Wayne-Major Airport in Romulus began their operatives in June 1957. The latter two locations were staffed by Batteries B and C of the 504th Squadron, while Grosse Ile was handled by Battery C of the 85th. Basic capacities for each launch site were as follows:
GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP: 30 AJAX missiles, 12 launchers
RIVERVIEW: 60 AJAX missiles, 24 launchers
WAYNE-MAJOR: 30 AJAX missiles (later 18 Hercules missiles), 12 launchers
RIVERVIEW: 60 AJAX missiles, 24 launchers
WAYNE-MAJOR: 30 AJAX missiles (later 18 Hercules missiles), 12 launchers
D-51: Grosse Ile NIKE site detail:
Grosse Ile's installation began in January 1955. The IFC location was on the north side of Groh Road between Meridian and East River. The launching site was near the former Navy seaplane base on the eastern end of the airport property (the Army had purchased the plot of land from the Navy to foster construction of this facility). Taken over in 1958 by the 517th USA Squadron's second Battalion Battery "A", it would be deactivated in 1963, with the surrounding airport itself being decommissioned in 1969. The airport is now owned outright by the Township of Grosse Ile. The radar platform pictured below was torn down in 1998 as the land is now in the care of the Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy.
D-54: Riverview/Wyandotte NIKE site detail:
The Riverview installation for the NIKE system was in place for the same amount of time as Grosse Ile's, with activation in January 1955. The IFC area was along the south end of Pennsylvania Road west of Fort Street. The launch facility was on the north side of Sibley Road, also west of Fort Street. Eventually run under the direction of the first battalion of the 177th MIARNG, it would likewise be deactivated by February of 1963. The launch area comprises today's Young Patriot's Park in Riverview. A soccer field behind the fire station stands over the original pit area, which was partially covered with ash and slag brought over by Great Lakes Steel. The IFC area is now home to the Rivergate Convalescent Center.
D-61: Detroit Wayne-Major Airport NIKE site detail:
Opened later than the other two Downriver sites, the Detroit Wayne-Major airport facility began their operations in June of 1957, commanded by the 504th USA Battalion, Battery "C". The IFC location was near the present day intersection of Middlebelt and Goddard Roads, to the west side. The launch facility was located on airport property where Merriman and Superior Roads would have intersected, had Superior Road gone onto airport property. In the late 1950s, the operation would be taken over by the 177th MIARNG, as they did with the Riverview location. This site would be active later than the others, and would be the only one of the three to make the transistion from NIKE Ajax missiles to the further-developed Hercules series. Deactivated in June of 1971, no traces of this facility exist. The launch site was demolished by 1974, and currently houses an aircraft taxiway.
Modern technology advances spell the end of the NIKE era Downriver
By 1965, the number of NIKE airfield sites across the country began to decline, as further advancements in technology were required to combat the increased quality of the enemy's munitions; specifically, the development of ICBMs by the Soviet Union. In 1966, the number around the country was 112; by 1969, due to budget cuts and reassignments, that number would fall to 82. Only Detroit Metro Airport's operation, having converted to the Hercules line of missiles, continued to be active into the 1970s.
By 1972, the talks and treaty which became known as SALT I had occurred. Virtually all operations at the remaining NIKE sites ceased by April 1974, with only a select few locations near the coasts maintained in a coastal air defense role. These would also be eliminated by the start of the 1980s.
By 1972, the talks and treaty which became known as SALT I had occurred. Virtually all operations at the remaining NIKE sites ceased by April 1974, with only a select few locations near the coasts maintained in a coastal air defense role. These would also be eliminated by the start of the 1980s.