Hidden in the Florida Everglades is an Ex-Missile Defense Site vs. Soviet Warheads

Nike Missile Site HM-69

In the 1960s, during intense nuclear tensions, the US Army built a missile defense site in Florida’s Everglades. The Nike Missile Site HM-69 protected South Florida from potential Cuban attacks.

Now part of Everglades National Park, this former military base has an amazing history that few people know about.

The Site Was Built in Just Six Months

The Army Corps of Engineers built HM-69 in 180 days during 1964, pushing through harsh conditions. Workers battled daily thunderstorms that dropped three inches of rain and dealt with dense clouds of mosquitoes that required constant repellent.

They moved 140,000 cubic yards of limestone using 60 dump trucks that made continuous trips through the swamp. The construction team also created a special patrol to handle alligators that kept wandering onto the site, while building everything on raised platforms to prevent flooding.

The Missile Site is Named After a Greek Goddess

The Nike program was named after Nike, the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, because she represented speed and success. The site’s code ‘HM-69’ had specific meanings: ‘H’ pointed to nearby Homestead Air Force Base, ‘M’ showed it was in Miami-Dade County, and ’69’ marked it as the southernmost defense point on the Atlantic coast.

The Site Was Part of a Bigger Defense Network

HM-69 worked with three other sites in Key Largo, Miramar, and Miami to protect South Florida. These bases could spot and stop any aircraft coming from Cuba within six minutes of seeing it.

HM-69 served as the main communication hub because it sat in the middle of this network. The bases were placed so their firing ranges overlapped, making sure enemy aircraft couldn’t slip through any gaps.

The Site’s Missiles Could Carry Nuclear Weapons

Each Nike Hercules missile was 41 feet long and weighed 10,710 pounds at launch. These missiles could carry regular explosives or nuclear warheads that packed the power of 2,000 to 40,000 tons of TNT.

They could fly up to 150,000 feet high and reach speeds of 2,707 miles per hour, hitting targets up to 87 miles away. The site kept 18 missiles ready to launch and stored 24 more underground.

The Military Base Had Modern Comforts

The 140 soldiers at HM-69 lived better than most military personnel in the 1960s. They had air-conditioned barracks set to 72 degrees and a kitchen that served fresh food around the clock.

The recreation area included a basketball court, movie theater with new films twice a week, and a game room with pool tables and a color TV. Soldiers worked eight-hour shifts with required rest periods to stay alert.

The Base Became a Home for Wildlife

The site’s tall fence and raised buildings created a safe space for Everglades animals. Florida panthers made dens under the missile building, while wood storks built 60 nests in the radar towers.

American crocodiles started breeding in the base’s drainage canals, drawn to the warm water from air conditioners. Base personnel kept records of more than 100 different animal species living at the site.

The Site Never Fired a Real Missile

From 1964 to 1979, HM-69 stayed ready for action but never had to fire at an enemy. The base ran 262 practice drills and scored 98.7% in readiness tests.

Recently released Soviet documents show that this missile shield influenced how the Soviets planned their strategy in the Caribbean during the Cold War.

The Site Has Underground Missile Storage

Three concrete bunkers lie under the main grounds, each 60 feet long and strong enough to survive a bomb hit. These rooms stayed at 68 degrees to protect the missiles.

Special elevators made by Otis could lift a 15,000-pound armed missile to the surface in 15 seconds, using 200 gallons of hydraulic fluid for each lift.

The Site Used Advanced Radar Technology

The radar system could track 24 flying objects at once while guiding three missiles to their targets. It could spot a fighter jet 150 miles away and guide missiles within 10 feet of their target.

The main radar scanned the entire sky every 10 seconds. This complex system needed 13 skilled technicians working each shift to run properly.

The Site is Now a Protected Historic Place

In 2004, HM-69 became a National Historic District. The site covers nearly 7 acres and includes 18 original buildings like missile barns, radar towers, and support structures.

The Park Service has kept 85% of the old equipment exactly as it was in 1979, from control panels to maintenance tools.

The Public Can Now Tour the Former Military Site

You can join a ranger-led tour of the site, including the 2,025-square-foot missile assembly building, which still has its original testing equipment and a training missile.

The restored control room has working radar screens, and sometimes former missile technicians visit to share stories about serving during the Cold War.