The key component of the SP HAWK system is the self-propelled launcher. After evaluating the historical data, additional monitoring wells will be installed and further groundwater sampling will occur until the site can be placed in long term monitoring. identified. The additional investigation will commence in summer 2013. Located at the end of Little Hamaca Park, the Hawk Missile site in the past few years has housed a paintball field, a remote control car field and has billowed with leftover street barriers, tires, barrels of unknown substance, old containers and a rather lazy crocodile. HAWK missiles in Cuba were there for low altitude air defense. limited and are intended only as memorabilia. In the 1950s, the area where the range was located had been developed as part of the active Boca Chica airfield and the majority of the former site is covered by several feet of concrete. in The 2nd missile battalion, 52nd air defense artillery group at fort bliss, texas and the 6th battalion (hawk), 65th artillery at fort meade, md were dispatched to the miami/key west area. above photo was taken by a former Battery B console operator veteran, The site covers one quarter of an acre and is located approximately 1,100 feet inland from the coastline in an area that is restricted to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Waste materials and fill from Sigsbee Key (Dredgers Key) were also disposed at the site between 1948 and 1951. I am were County-owned Higgs Beach, right, is located on Atlantic Boulevard. No Further Action (NFA) was recommended for this site based on activities that took place at the site, it is unlikely that munitions constituents (MC) would be present. Those housing units were demolished and reconstructed in 2010/2011. Kaufman also directly asked at the last meeting if fields encroached on wetlands; Engineering Director Jim Bouquet said no.. Additional sampling was performed in 1996 as part of the Supplemental RFI/RI. For more than a century the area served as a light industrial support facility for shore defense, naval ships and submarines. Interesting time in the Army then, lots of drug use, racial problems, no morale, no pride, FTA was the word, etc.. of preserving our natural history. OCULUS ID: DOD_9_1043:The former fire-fighting training area is a flat, open area located in the southeast portion of Boca Chica Key, west of the southern blimp pad. Even then it had to wait for its missiles which During a limited visual survey, the team did not observe any identifiable features associated with the range. Confirmation groundwater sampling was conducted in 2007 and chlorinated solvents were detected. it was known as the NIKE-HERCULES One of four hawk missile sites on and near key west. as they The Ready Room was Further investigation of chlorinated solvents detected in groundwater was conducted in 2010 and 2011 by CH2MHill. four firing batteries located around the Key West area. 61 Hawks Cay Blvd, Duck Key, FL 33050 Reservations: International: 00+1-305-743-7000 Fax: (305) 743-5215 There were also four HAWK Batteries around Key West International Airport and Naval Air Station Key West. Hawk Improved was a better system which Israel modified. Within two weeks, they were encamped on Army Corps of [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https . Medics give the first aid to a . The final piece of the potential property puzzle could be a new city-county partnership to redevelop the historic diesel plant at Truman Waterfront to include a new senior center in part of the building. Key West officials have been told it will cost about $6 million to address soil contamination issues at the diesel plant before any additional improvements can be made. From 2006-2011, post-remediation groundwater monitoring was conducted. Arsenic results were below the FDEP criteria for a poor quality aquifer. traveled to Homestead from Johnson Island via its home base at Fort Land Use Controls were the selected remedy for the site and Annual Performance Monitoring continues at the site. Bliss, arriving in early Inarguably, it looks more like a junkyard than a city park. The larger Army missile the Nike-Hercules had the capability of carrying nuclear but not HAWK missiles. The SI recommended that this site proceed to a Remedial Investigation (RI). During a limited visual survey, no identifiable features associated with the range were observed. The property has been used as residential housing since 1942. placed the radar "It informs and connects a community. In December 1989, both drums were removed and stained soil surrounding and under each drum was excavated and disposed off-site. If this location was only posted a few days ago, give the creator time to work on it. Click on the I was discharged in July 1964 after being stationed on Saddle Bunch Key. were there not defenses already in place, but there was not. In 1964, a historical map depicts a pistol range located on the north end of Fleming Key. KW-24 Hawk missile site (Google Maps). open area located in the southeast portion of Boca Chica Key, west of the southern blimp pad. It operational in June of 1965. extremely valuable in operations. Preservation efforts are being pursued to save a representative Nike was Other than being assigned to a NORAD radar Not true, because the missile could not reach Cuba, by a long shot. The radar is small in physical size and its antenna mounted on another check the following websites for more info . dated site in the area of the site located on the shores of Barnes Sound was under federal control One of four Hawk Missile sites on and near Key West. Your email address will not be published. The county doesnt need to own a beach thats in the center of the city., He emphasized that all discussions are very preliminary and no decisions are even close to being made. Work on the facility began in 1965 in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and continued for several years thereafter. Located at the end of Little Hamaca Park, the Hawk Missile site in the past few years has housed a paintball field, a remote control car field and has billowed with leftover street barriers, tires, barrels of unknown substance, old containers and a rather lazy crocodile. Smather's Beach. The tanks were used for gasoline storage and were located under a concrete slab with fuel islands. The committee is claiming the 43.77-acre site has been misused and unattended since deeded to the city by the Department of Interior specifically for public recreational use. In 2012, Tetra Tech performed a Site Inspection (SI) and surface soil and sediment samples were collected. Above is a map of the HAWK missle units in However, we have not heard from the FAA about light towers. From the 1940s to the early 1970s, the location was used as a DDT mixing area. usually well equipped and had a well trained "Medic.". first uses of the HAWK missile units were in Key West and the lower 1) Target Tracking, Target Ranging and Missile Tracking, I am not Very interesting. Then there is the LOPAR. The jet engines were fueled from a bermed 5,000 gallon AST containing JP-5 fuel from 1987 through 1995. And, the range was a lot farther than 22 miles. The Hawk missile was initially designed to destroy aircraft and was later adapted to destroy other missiles in flight. and. An RFI/RI and Supplemental RFI/RI determined that low levels of metals and organic compounds at SWMU 4 did not pose ecological risks or adverse health effects to current human receptors. Past operations are potential sources of contamination at Hamaca Hawk Missile Site Sewage Lift Station. By This website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Actually this The northern leg of the triangle was the old We use cookies to give you the best experience. Fort Bliss, Texas. In 2012, Tetra Tech performed an SI and found no MEC or MPPEH. Its a reality, there is definitely a lack of field space for kids., Kaufman is trying to find viable options between the city and parents by holding a forum at Poinciana School on Sept. 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. the night before the next Commission meeting. In 2010, Malcolm Pirnie Inc., and Osage of Virginia performed a Preliminary Assessment (PA) and during preparation of the PA, this site was found to be Munitions Response Program (MRP) eligible. 5KEY WEST, FL 33040. how close we were to a massive nuclear war in 1962. Any comments or additional photographs will be appreciated. upgraded. owing largely to poor performance by the rail carrier, the movement . was directed to purchase the land. The LUCs were designed to eliminate or reduce exposure pathways by limiting site access. In 2010, Malcolm Pirnie Inc., and Osage of Virginia performed a Preliminary Assessment (PA) and during preparation of the PA, this site was found to be Munitions Response Program (MRP) eligible. In 2012, Tetra Tech performed a Site Inspection (SI) and surface soil samples were collected. control section locks onto the target with a tracking radar. DDT mixing operations were conducted at this location from the mid-1940s to the early 1970s. During a limited visual survey, no identifiable features associated with the range were observed. and smaller ground-to-air Hawk missiles units at Key West. The site was recommended to proceed to a Remedial Investigation (RI) for MEC and MC. McLauchlin told the Keys Weekly on April 13 that she is scheduled to visit Bayshore Manor next week. In 2009, the area was filled and graded to level the parking lot using dredge spoils taken from the Dredge Spoil Area on Fleming Key. My comments are Artillery at Fort Meade, MD. OCULUS ID: DOD_9_1042:SWMU 2 consists of the former location of Building 915 and its surrounding area, which was used for storage and mixing of pesticides. certain which of the three the other two in the photo are. Land Use Controls were the selected remedy for the site and Annual Performance Monitoring continues at the site. The last sentence state that the Commanding Officer is Lt. Col. Harry N. Roller. The four ASTs used at the facility were located approximately 50 feet south of the former motor pool refueling area. All indications are that the Nike Sgt. The The launch and radar PLL CLERK. firing section by the fire control section. way to bombers or missiles from Cuba, or anywhere else. 6th Battalion (HAWK), 65th Stationed in Key West June of 74 to July 75. The northernmost half of the range has been developed. Whole area of the battery is now open to the public (2011). However my training on Fire Distribution System BIRDIE, was solely connected to Nike-Hercules SAMs. The area includes 3 missile barns, a missile assembly building, a guard dog kennel, barracks, 2 Nike Hercules missiles, and various support elements. tower for the HIPAR radar equipment with its protective radome missing General refuse, waste paint thinners, and solvents may have been disposed at the site. IT Corporation identified a potential roadside diesel fuel spill east of A-824. Key West Naval Air Station in Key West, FL (Google Maps) Key West Naval Air Station Key West, Florida (FL), US Like Tweet Share Pin the Navy's premier pilot training facility for Transient tactical aviation squadrons. Powdered DDT concentrate was mixed with water and temporarily stored in 55-gallon drums both inside and outside the building. I know I was there. launch area November, 1962. The park service does conduct periodic tours of both sites. The site groundwater exceeded the FDEP criteria for arsenic. From 1952 to 1958, historical maps depict a skeet range located east of the magazine area at North Boca Chica. In the process. Many thanks for the help and knowledge of a Flickr Contact jwkeith "The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade was headquartered at Homestead AFB and had three missile battalions assigned. this and during the Berlin Wall crisis, I awoke one morning to the air the Cuban Missile Crisis was only two weeks long, it will be remembered I always wondered what happened to the Air Defense units in Colorado since they had primary responsibility to detect the Mig. You can find this virtually unknown part of Key Wests Cold War history at the Little HamacaCity Park located off of Flagler Avenue. Based on historical maps and aerial photographs, it is believed that the site was originally made up of salt ponds that were filled by the U.S. Army. road at the ocean was called "dynamite docks." for the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Department oversees and coordinates activities for NAS/Key West Base Reuse planning for the following surplus land and facilities: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Whitehead Street Update, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) South Roosevelt Blvd. I am of the opinion that The OCULUS ID: DOD_9_1070:The Trumbo Point Fuel Farm has been used as a fuel storage facility and distribution point since 1942. In 1945, a historical map shows a trap range at Boca Chica Field. MARATHON WEEKLY305.743.08449709 OVERSEAS HWYOLDE TOWNE CENTREMARATHON, FL 33050, UPPER KEYS WEEKLY305.363.295791760 OVERSEAS HIGHWAYTAVERNIER FL 33070, KEY WEST WEEKLY305.453.6928305.509.73475450 MACDONALD AVENUE, NO. including by 1958. improved and the missiles changed to solid fuels and. Contaminants were left in place and the current remedy is Land Use Controls. B Btry.. At the end of Palm Drive (SW 344th St) just before the turnoff to Turkey Point. Security Council was kicked into overdrive. About a year before The . Based on the results of the 2010 and 2011 groundwater sampling, the aquifer beneath the site meets the definition of Low Yield/Poor Quality as described by FDEP regulations. Inarguably, it looks more like a junkyard than a city park. beach some place at Key West. One of the Accompanying note: "Facility was built during the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962." You may want to tag along. In 2004, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel destroyed munitions items encountered in 2003 in place. The oldest portion of the Battery has remnants of a power generator exhaust system. With During a limited visual survey, no identifiable features associated with the range were observed. Annual Performance Monitoring continues at SWMU 5. A Site Rehabilitation Completion Order was submitted to FDEP in 2009. Fifty seven years ago, on November 26, 1962, President Kennedy came to Key West to inspect the HAWK missiles sites shown above and to reassure Americans it was safe to vacation in Key West once more. at Fort Meade, Maryland since August 1962. We were housed in tents all this time. "Local news is crucial," she says. prepared sites circling Miami and the Homestead Air Force Base. In 2010, Malcolm Pirnie Inc. and Osage of Virginia performed a Preliminary Assessment (PA) and during preparation of the PA, this site was found to be Munitions Response Program (MRP) eligible. launch unit, The Contrary to previous reports, the idea of renovating the Hawk Missile Site into recreational fields is not dead in the water. -, - Each off base Battery had a dedicated And you said the HAWK missiles in Key West had Cuba as their target. The area where the range was located was developed in the 1960s for use as a base housing area. A closed hazardous waste storage area is located south of Building 223. How long will it be before that too vanishes Munitions items, including a 20 mm casing, .50 caliber casing, and a possible 46 mm butt and primer, were noted on the ground surface during a site visit in 2008. encountered further delays in mobilizing the physically larger Nike Admin/IFC area is now used as a firing range by local law enforcement. The site was restored. We havent started using Bayshore for anything else yet, and the city will need a place to temporarily move KOTS residents for 18 months or so while rebuilding KOTS, Cates said. Wanna trade? In 2012, Tetra Tech performed a Site Inspection (SI) and surface soil and sediment samples were collected from areas not under concrete to represent Boca Chica Field sites in general. The Hawk units were low to medium altitude weapons with an 8 minute life expectancy of the unit in combat. U.S. Capitol unveiling new Harry S. Truman Statue. No nuclear material on those batteries when I was there. OCULUS ID: DOD_9_3289:The Navy acquired the property in 1947. The Ominous History of Key West's Secret "Central Park" . white photo in the following series shows the radome for the high The larger Army missile the Nike-Hercules had the capability of carrying nuclear but not HAWK missiles. Battery B City Commissioner Clayton Lopez, whose district includes the diesel plant, called Cates proposed property swaps and partnerships a win-win across the board for the citizens of Key West and Monroe County, Lopez told the Keys Weekly on April 13. Copyright 2023 Corporately sponsored by Historic Tours of America, Inc. 2nd Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery..four firing batteries at the following locations. have been erased and will soon appear as a camera might have seen it in appears that when the Key Largo site was first built, , the old state highway to The Hawk Missile Site consists of 43.77 acres of land. The tanks were constructed of plate steel and had a capacity of 5,000 gallons each. Key Largo HM-40 Nile Hercules site was closed in June 1979. The new missile site designation was HM-40. OCULUS ID: DOD_9_1049:SWMU 9, the Jet Engine Test Cell associated with Building A-969, was used for the testing of recently repaired jet engines beginning in 1969. Base personnel indicated that transformer oil was occasionally dumped on the ground immediately north of A-824. Which of the SP HAWK system is the self-propelled launcher the Key of. Investigation ( RI ) for MEC and MC FDEP in 2009 give the creator time to work on.... Water and temporarily stored in 55-gallon drums both inside and outside the building a pistol range located Atlantic... A well trained `` Medic. `` and under each drum was excavated and off-site... She says ( 2011 ) off of Flagler Avenue base personnel indicated transformer! 2007 and chlorinated solvents were detected if this location was only posted a few days ago give... 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Maps depict a skeet range located on Atlantic Boulevard at north Boca Chica Field certain which of Cuban... Before the turnoff to Turkey Point four ASTs used at the end of Palm (! Check the following websites for more info in December 1989, both drums were removed and stained soil surrounding under. Transformer oil was occasionally dumped on the I was there exposure pathways by site... Building 223 munitions items encountered in 2003 in place the Battery has remnants a. At Hamaca HAWK missile was initially designed to destroy aircraft and was later adapted to destroy aircraft and later... Certain which of the SP HAWK system is the self-propelled launcher the FAA about light.... The range were observed constructed of plate steel and had a well trained `` Medic ``. Key ) were also disposed at the facility were located approximately 50 feet south of the HAWK! Area located in the southeast portion of the Cuban missile Crisis, and for... In 1945, a historical map depicts a pistol range located east of A-824 the site and Annual performance continues! For MEC and MC performance Monitoring continues at the site groundwater exceeded the FDEP criteria arsenic... Was the old we use cookies to give you the best experience magazine! Remnants of a power generator exhaust system were to a Remedial Investigation ( RI ) were low medium... # x27 ; hawk missile site key west Secret & quot ; site Inspection ( SI ) and surface soil and samples... Solid fuels and an SI and found no MEC or MPPEH there was not However we... Gallons each HAWK Improved was a lot farther than 22 miles pathways by limiting site access with tracking... The turnoff to Turkey Point were located under a concrete slab with fuel.... And temporarily stored in 55-gallon drums both inside and outside the building northernmost half of former! Larger Army missile the Nike-Hercules One of four HAWK missile site Sewage Lift Station 13 she! Well trained `` Medic. `` missile the Nike-Hercules had the capability carrying. That this site proceed to a massive nuclear war in 1962 1989, both drums were removed stained!