Nike Battery NY-25 Rocky Point/Brookhaven, NY

Nike Battery NY-25
Rocky Point/Brookhaven, NY

Changing military tactics and the proposed extension of the Long Island Expressway influenced the location of Nike missile battery NY-25. Plans originally called for the site to be located closer to existing Nike sites in Nassau County. However, the site ultimately chosen for what would become the easternmost Nike installation within the former New York Defense Area better reflected the enhanced capabilities of the second generation Nike Hercules missile system.

Located in Suffolk County on Long Island's north shore, this Nike Hercules equipped site defended the nuclear research facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratories, as well as Grumman's Calverton test facility, the Suffolk County Air Force Base, and the New York metro area in general. Site NY-25 remained in operation until 1974.

Location
Launcher Area:
Rocky Point, Brookhaven
(Suffolk County), NY
Control Area:
Rocky Point, Brookhaven
(Suffolk County), NY
Dates of Operation
1957-1974
Weapons Systems
& Missile Load
Nike Ajax / 30
Nike Hercules / 18
Missile Magazines
3 Magazines.
1 type "B" and 2 type "C".

Radar Types
ACQR, LOPAR, ABAR, HIPAR
Secondary Master Fire Unit
Reserve Radar Integration Station

Unit Information
Army -
D/505th (1956-1958)
D/3/51st (1958-1964)

National Guard -
B/1/244th (1964-1974)

Present Status
Portions of this site remain reasonably intact. The former launcher area with its 3 underground missile magazines is located within the current U.S. Army Reserve Center. The family housing area remains intact with the homes occupied by new, non-army, residents. Atop Defense Hill, the Control Area has been demolished and the site is used as a park and for flying model airplanes.