83rd AAA Missile Battalion

The 83rd AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) Missile Battalion was an air defense unit of the United States Army activated during the early years of the Cold War. Initially formed to provide anti-aircraft protection using conventional gun systems, the battalion later transitioned to operating guided missile systems, such as the Nike missile, as part of continental air defense. Stationed at various strategic locations in the United States, the 83rd AAA Missile Battalion played a significant role in guarding critical infrastructure against potential Soviet bomber attacks. The battalion was eventually inactivated as advances in missile technology and changes in defense strategies rendered its mission obsolete.