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History of 4th Missile Command

The 4th Missile Command was a United States Army unit responsible for overseeing ballistic missile defense operations during the Cold War. Activated in 1961 and headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, the unit managed the deployment and operational readiness of Nike-Hercules and later Safeguard and Sentinel missile systems. Its primary mission was to provide air and missile defense for critical areas in the continental United States against potential Soviet attacks. The 4th Missile Command was inactivated in the early 1970s as missile defense strategies evolved and newer technologies emerged.

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ABOUT 4th Missile Command

  • Cold War Defender: The 4th Missile Command was a United States Army unit responsible for controlling and operating the Nike-Hercules missile air defense system during the height of the Cold War.
  • Established in Alaska: The unit was activated in Alaska in 1961, tasked with the defense of strategic locations such as Anchorage and Fairbanks from potential Soviet bomber attacks.
  • Arctic Operations: The personnel of the 4th Missile Command operated under extreme arctic conditions, often facing subzero temperatures while maintaining missile readiness.
  • Missile Arsenal: The 4th Missile Command managed over 40 Nike-Hercules missile launchers at its peak, making it one of the largest concentrations of anti-aircraft missiles in North America.
  • First Line of Defense: Its missile sites were considered the northernmost line of defense for the continental United States, capable of intercepting enemy bombers before they reached major population centers.
  • Secret Sites: Many of the missile sites were constructed in remote, secretive locations, and some are still classified or inaccessible today due to environmental or security concerns.
  • Integration with NORAD: The 4th Missile Command worked closely with NORAD, feeding real-time radar and tracking data to help coordinate continental air defense operations.
  • Deactivation: The command was inactivated in 1974 as the threat of manned bomber attacks declined and newer technologies, such as ICBMs and improved radar, changed defense strategies.
  • Legacy: Several of the former missile sites have been preserved as historical landmarks or are used as training areas by the National Guard and other agencies today.
  • Veteran Stories: Veterans of the 4th Missile Command recall the unique camaraderie and challenges of serving in Alaska, including stories of wildlife encounters, innovative cold-weather survival tactics, and high-stakes readiness drills during periods of international tension.

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