Ed-Thelen.org is a long-standing reference website dedicated to the history, technology, and operational context of the U.S. Army Nike Hercules air defense missile system and related Nike missile programs.
The site contains historical research, technical information, photographs, documents, and personal recollections intended to support study, education, and historical preservation.
Since its creation, the website has served historians, veterans, researchers, students, and the general public seeking reliable information about Cold War era air defense systems.
About the Founder
This website was created and developed by Ed Thelen, who devoted many years to researching and documenting the Nike missile program.
Ed Thelen passed away after establishing this site as one of the most comprehensive publicly accessible resources on the Nike Hercules missile system.
Stewardship and Continuity
Following the passing of the site's founder in 2024, responsibility for Ed-Thelen.org has been assumed by a new steward, Greg Brown, Nike Veteran and (retired) 20 year NPS SF-88 Docent Volunteer
Click here to read our Stewardship and Content Preservation policy for Ed-Thelen.org

Questions or Comments ? Contact us at, ed [at] ed-thelen.org
In case you didn't know, [at] = @
was designed to feel as close to real combat as possible. Fast, stressful, and often without warning. Read further about Organizational Readiness Evaluations at a typical Nike Battery

Click on this link to learn about SNAP and see SNAP pictures
Lt. Susan P. Cheney served as Executive Officer (XO) at SF-88 during the early 1970s. She was on duty during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, when the site was placed on heightened operational status. Lt. Cheney later attained the rank of Colonel.
Learn more about Lt. Susan P. Cheney {Click Here }
View a Nike Missile Guidance Circuit Board - Radar Van Chassis and Power Panels
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Comments on today's world
This site has become a cooperative effort as more than 350 people have contributed text, stories, ideas, information, and corrections.
Two "action" pictures and four movies
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2.3 MBytes A short easy introduction to the Nike Anti-Aircraft system from Michael Keller Posted May 3, 2013 Click on image to download the .pdf |
"Camp Sarafi", South Korea
from Al Dietz ... I believe the balloon antennas are left to right: TTR, TRR, and MTR. The LOPAR acquisition radar is behind the building. I don't normally post pictures of individual sites (too many), but isn't this bleak ?? Gads - imagine winter ? |
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BA-79 Granite MD August Open House features Francis Gary Powers JR. Book signing
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| Lumberton, New Jersey PH23/25,
Rich Lewis photo study
A local HTML version, (I worry about "good stuff" going away.) |
Intercept - A little more technical ;-))
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This is a plot of a Nike Hercules intercepting a target flying at 52,000 feet.
The vertical scale is altitude in feet. (max 100,000 feet) The left trace is the Nike missile, the right is the target. The horizonal scale is computed time to intercept, in seconds. The middle is time zero, intercept. Note: Against high flying targets such as this, the Hercules does not necessarily go above the target. from TM9-1400-250-10/2 page 36, Manual |
Cold War in South Florida, ... Study available free online - posted Mar 4, 2010
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Fort Bliss Pictures
Excellent pictures of Ft. Bliss, Juarez and El Paso, courtesy of Butchijo Alaska Nike Veteran Reunion A-2-562 information Help is needed to sponsor Nike Reunions The Cuban Missile Crisis by James Whitaker (Nike, South Florida) The Cold War is an Electronic War (Soviets shot down 23 of our ELINT Planes) 36 minutes through 44 minutes
Michael Keller wrote (Feb 2009) & (Dec 2010) & (Aug 2011) & (Dec 2012)
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Cover of 2 MByte brochure.
Just found this nice piece on Ebay.
Printing Date is 10-15-56.
"The purpose of this booklet is to inform high-school graduates and their parents of the matchless opportunities that lie within the Army Antiaircraft Command." Well, most of the once-addressed kids will be retired by now, but maybe they remember this booklet. |
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?Soviet Airfield? A response |