I was stationed at Strassburg Kaserne in Idar-Oberstein, Germany from June of 1954 to Nov. of '58. I was in the 85th QM Co. I worked in the motor pool for awhile, then I was the driver's school instructor. After that I went into the photo-lab down at the Nahbolenbach QM Depot. I don't remember what unit it was, but we had a Nike unit come to Strassburg Kaserne before I left. Great memories.
I was trained as a 22N at RSA in 1982 and went to my first duty station at McGregor Range. There, I ended up working with a bunch of great guys moving furniture around for the nine months of the year that we weren't supporting the Japanese ASP.
Germany was next for me. I went to 3/71 for only a year. Too bad it wasn't much longer. They were shutting down that battalion so I didn't get to stay. Gosh, if I hadn't been drunk so much, I might have enjoyed myself more, but you know how that goes. I ended up coming back to RSA and moving over to MLRS (can you believe that?).
Since then, I've gotten a whole lot more motivated than before and work in the missiles business for Lockheed. I'll always remember my days in Germany in a very special way, at least the ones that I didn't forget. :-)
Webmaster's Note:Walter served at Fairfield, California with C Battery, Travis AFB as a 16C20 fire controlman with a rank of E 5 from Jan. 1967 to June 1970.
Doyle, I would like to be listed on the 15th Ord. Det. roster. I can barely see and missed the foremat of your guest book. You have a great web page here. I hope I can contact some of the guys from my old unit. We were the first state-side military ordnance detachment in support of a AAA missle battalion, the 15th at Loring.
Date: 10/12/2000
Name: Mark Eklund
E-Mail: mj539@aol.com
Webmaster's Note:Mark served at Bovolone, Italy with 2/47th usaad and an MOS of 11b and a rank of e-4 from 06/1980 to 06/1983.
I Was surprised to find my Old job and unit listed on the internet, as well as Pleased. I served under Capt Manning {3rd Batt, 71st ADA , hardheim germany. I am always pleased to find anything to do with those days . Thank you very much.
Grover F Casey 24p10 & 16c20
Webmaster's Note:Grover served at Hardheim, Germany with C Battery, 3rd Battalion 71st ADA with MOS 24p10 &16c20 and a E-3 from 77 to 79.
I was in Nike Hercules (16B) from 75 until 81.Ctm 66th USAAD.D 2/1 ADA in 81 and 82.A 2/56 ADA from 82 until 84.I would love to hear from any old friends out there. I had a great time in Hercules.
Webmaster's Note:Mark served at Datteln, West Germany in the Ctm 66th Usaad as a 16b with a rank of sgt from 3-76 to 5-81. He also served in Dichtelbach, West Germany with D Btry 2/1 ADA as a 16b and rank of sgt from 5-81 to 8-82 and in Geinsheim, West Germany with A Btry 2/56 ADA as PLL and TAAMS clerk (launcher) and rank of SSG from 8-82 to 8-84.
I served 2 years with the 181st Ord Det in Miesau from Oct '63 thru Oct '65 so when I recently got the chance to revisit Germany I made sure Miesau was on the "must see" list. After 35 years, it aint't the same place. The 181st and the 4th Ord are gone but the post is still an ordinance depot. The old movie house is now a PX, the Polish Kaserne is gone, the woods we walked thru to get to the shop is now more buildings, there is one common mess hall for the post, the NCO club is gone, the Chapel is gone, and the barracks are remodeled...new pitched roofs and windows. We used to be able to put our personal gear up on the flat roof during inspections.
All the surrounding towns have grown in size and the walk from Miesau to Bruchmuhlbach is impossible as the autobahn was rerouted and the bridge over the autobahn no longer exists. But Rilli's gasthaus is still there! I didn't get to see is the local beer, BBK, is still being brewed.
Does anyone know what became of the 181st or the 4th Ord?
Webmaster's Note:Russell served at Miesau, Germany with the 181st Ordnance Detachment as Hawk Missile repairman, shop clerk with a rank of Sp 4 from Oct 1962 to Oct 1965.
I AM AN ARCHAEOLOGIST WORKING FOR LONE MOUNTAIN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES EL PASO TEXAS. MY CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT IS THE TRAINING FACILITIES AT FORT BLISS REGARDING THE NIKE AJAX AND HERCULES MISSILES INCLUDING THE RCAT AND THE PROCESS/PROTOCOL. tO IDENTIFIY FUNCTIONS AT THE DIFFERENT FEATURE TYPES.
Great information. I served on SL 90 (St. Louis) and then C 32 Chicago (Chesterton, Ind,) from 68 to 71. 16C20. I would like to contact anyone from the old unit and also anyone with information on the night the B 52 crashed into the lake on the Mich. side. As I recall a Mil. Batry. was conducting R.B.S. with this aircraft and C32 was the back-up. Some time in 1970, I think. Looking back, the R.B.S. mission was very important for the aircrews, and I think many of those guys went to N. Viet Nam and our losses were high. I think this function of the Nike sites is much under rated.
I trained at Redstone Arsenal, July 1980 to May 1981. Graduated 22L10 and went to Miesau Army Depot, 4th Ord, where I was stationed from June 1981 to May 1983. I worked for a guy named SSG Carl Pickard, SSG Ken Ross and a couple other guys who's names now escape me. I then returned to Redstone where I finished up my tour as an instructor at Toftoy Hall. I exited the Army, at Redstone, in November 1984. During my Army days I met several nice people with the same goals as myself and wouldn't mind hearing from them and trading war stories. Mike McBride
Date: 9/14/2000
Name: Andre M Clay
E-Mail: aclay@gci.net
Hello All,
I am currently a civilian contractor who works on the ranges to the east of Eielson AFB, Alaska. I work around the old Nike Hercules sites known locally as A, B, C, and D battery. I am very fascinated as to how these sites were ran and the men who operated them.
I see many of you have been stationed here but instead of sending mass emails hope to solicate responses through the guest book. Also would be happy to trade photos, stories, etc on which to build a web site. I also have many digital pics of what they look like now.
Joined US Army Sept 57-Nike Ajax Lorton, Va. Herc School -Ft Bliss - in first Thule Greenland Package 1959 (have Pictures) Stationed all over the world at Nike Herc sites. Retired CWO-3 (RA) Sept 1979. Living in Miami fla,Employed Miami-Dade County Schools. Great Home Page! Thanks - Will send info below in about a week , Have to dig out old Orders
I was stationed at Spangdahlem AFB from 1967 to 1968. I was assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 4th/6th (DSMP). We were formerly the 566th Ordnance Detachment. My MOS was 22M20, but I worked in FMTE as well as launchers. I later was assigned as a 16E40 with a Hawk unit over by Graf. Much rather have stayed with the Herc. I was trained at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama in 1966. Our battery went to Crete (NAMFI) one time just before my ETS.
Webmaster's Note: Gordon also served in Amberg, Germany about 20 clicks from Czech border with 'C' 6thBn 62nd Arty with an MOS of 16E40 and a rank of E-5 from 1968 to 1969.
Nice Site. I guess I was drawn here because I got out of the Army 39 years ago today (9/4/61). Looks like we were together for a time and didn't realize it. I was in the 32nd Ordnance Detachment from Jul 1959 through Sep 1961. Mostly trained NATO troops in Internal Guidance Repair.
Another great Nike site. I was stationed with the 120th Squadron of the Dutch Airforce in Borgholzhausen Germany from 67 to 68.
My outfit was the 509th Artilary Detachment. Great memories. If you want to see some pictures vist Ron Erklens web page at http://www.xs4all.nl/~erkelens/120sqn.htm.
Email comments and/or suggestions about this web site to Doyle Piland at webmaster@nikeordnance.com
