US Research›Conflicts›Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts›Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring)
Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts

Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring)

1956
California
Era
Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts
Year
1956
Location
California
Status
Historical record
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Outcome
LA Nike ring consisted of ~16 batteries; deactivated 1974. LA-96 IFC/control site at San Vicente Mountain Park (near Encino/Brentwood) is now preserved.
The Battle

History & Significance

LA-96 is one of only two Nike missile sites in the US preserved and open to the public (the other is SF-88 at San Francisco). These represent the first surface-to-air missile defense of American cities.

Casualties & Losses

None in LA area; Nike explosion at Leonardo NJ (1958) killed 10

Forces Involved

US Army Air Defense Command: Nike Ajax then Hercules missiles; crews of ~100 per battery

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring) take place?
Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring) took place in 1956.
Where was Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring) fought?
Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring) was fought in California, United States.
What was the outcome of Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring)?
LA Nike ring consisted of ~16 batteries; deactivated 1974. LA-96 IFC/control site at San Vicente Mountain Park (near Encino/Brentwood) is now preserved.
What was the significance of Nike Ajax / Hercules Site LA-96 (Los Angeles Defense Ring)?
LA-96 is one of only two Nike missile sites in the US preserved and open to the public (the other is SF-88 at San Francisco). These represent the first surface-to-air missile defense of American cities.
More from this era

Other Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts Engagements

Japanese Shelling of Fort Reyes (Ellwood)
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Battle of Los Angeles (Anti-Aircraft 1942)
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Tule Lake War Relocation Center
1942
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Japanese Submarine Attack — Ellwood California
1942
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Manzanar Riot, California 1942
1942
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Manzanar War Relocation Center
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Japanese Submarine Shelling of Ellwood
1942
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Japanese Submarine Shelling of Ellwood Oil Field
1942
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Doolittle Raid Launch
1942
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Nike Missile Battery SF-88 (San Francisco Bay Defense)
1954
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Watts Riots 1965
1965
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Los Angeles Riots 1992
1992
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All battles in California›
Source

Content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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