Bridgeport Nike Missile Defense Area
Designations and locations of the Nike sites defending the Bridgeport area are: (BR-04) Ansonia, (BR-15) Westhaven, (BR-17) Milford, (BR-65) Fairfield, (BR-73) Westport, and (BR-94) Shelton. Headquarters facilities were located in Bridgeport.
Regular Army units manned these sites after initial activation during 1956 and 1957 with the Guard assuming duties in the waning years. Only site BR-04 was converted from Nike Ajax to Hercules. This battery would become integrated into the New England Defense Area before being deactivated in 1971.
The missilemen received recognition on April 19, 1958, when Bridgeport Mayor Samuel Tedesco declared "Nike Day" in his city. Festivities honoring the men of the 741st AAA missile battalion included a parade and ball. In addition, the missile sites were dedicated to local citizens who died in earlier wars.
(BR-04) Ansonia BR-04 IFC - BR-04 Launch Area
(BR-15) Westhaven BR-15 IFC - BR-15 Launch Area
(BR-17) Milford BR-17 IFC - BR-17 Launch Area
(BR-65) Fairfield BR-65 IFC - BR-65 Launch Area
(BR-73) Westport BR-73 IFC - BR-73 Launch Area
(BR-94) Shelton BR-94 IFC - BR-94 Launch Area
List of all Nike Installations in the Hartford Defense Area
List of all Nike Installations in Connecticut
