Nike Ajax and Hercules Ordnance Support Units
Welcome!
These web pages are dedicated to the men and women, both military and civilian, who served in the various Nike Ajax and Hercules support shops throughout the world. These dedicated professionals were on "Hot Status" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year. When a Nike site was non-operational, they were there around the clock until it was operational again.
For the most part, these individuals were Ordnance Corps and were trained at the Ordnance Guided Missile Center and School at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Support Units consisted of Guided Missile Direct Support (GMDS), Guided Missile General Support (GMGS), and a combination of both as GSDS operations. Additionally, there were Special Weapons Ordnance Support Units/Shops which supported the Nuclear warheads. There were also people from other branches who served vital roles as well.
Part of each Direct Support Unit (later Direct Support Platoon [DSP]) was a Direct Support Supply Activity (DSSA). The DSSA was operated by personnel with training by the Quartermaster Corps.
For support of the IFF systems, as well as the Radar and Control systems at the Battalion Operations Center, personnel with Signal Corps training carried the load.
Part of the equipment supported included the tactical power generation equipment. The tactical generators were supported by those with Corps of Engineers training.
Malpais Missiles by J. P. Moore
History of Nike at White Sands Proving Ground/White Sands Missile Range