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Flashlarue
Posted

New photo I found today. I won't show the pass in review taking place in the foreground. What I am wondering about are the two rockets in the background, what are they? Judging from the cars I would say it is about 1956-1957.

 

First rocket and launcher.

post-87451-0-99770800-1399427875.jpg

 

Second rocket on launcher.

post-87451-0-18463300-1399427939.jpg

gunbunnyB/3/75FA
Posted

could the second one be a honest john?

Posted

The second missile is a MIM-3 Nike Ajax. It was the USA's first surface to air missile, entered service just after the Korean War in 1954.

Third Herd
Posted

The first one is an Honest John and the second one is a Nike Ajax.

Posted

I even have a circuit tester for the Ajax.

post-131982-0-37876600-1399429311.jpg

post-131982-0-57748800-1399429323.jpg

gunbunnyB/3/75FA
Posted

lol

vonradmil
Posted

Kind of looks like Ft Bliss in the background.

13M40(RET)
Posted

I worked with the HJ rocket for a year in Turkey. There weren't enough 15F troops due to it being phased out so they filled the slots with 15D's. We got to supervise the Turk firing sections while they each live fired one day. Lots of fun!

1SG_1st_Cav
Posted

That is Ft Bliss, TX. In the full view you'll see two larger missiles crossed. Those are Corporal Missiles. The Honest John Rocket is from the 2nd Missile Bn, 30th Artillery in 1957-58. I too served in Honest John Rocket with the 5th Bn, 32nd FA at Ft Riley [68-69] and the 3rd Bn, 32nd FA at Ft Sill [70-71], 1st Lance Missile Battalion [Provisional] {TEST} [71-72], 1st LANCE Bn, 12th FA [72-73] Ft Sill, and the 1st LANCE Bn, 333rd FA [76-78] Wiesbaden, Germany. Danny [13Y5M]

Flashlarue
Posted

Film was processed in El Paso, Texas

Posted

Technical school graduation ceremony, perhaps?

  • 4 months later...
Posted

My National Guard unit in Indiana (service from 1972-1978) was an Honest John unit when I was in until about 1976 +/-. I was on a launcher crew and went to Fort Sill for training after basic.

The rail was directly mounted on a 5 ton truck chassis then. We loaded the rocket on the rail using a wrecker. We transitioned to 105 Howitzer -towed in about 1976.

 

I would love to find a copy of an FM for the Honest John.

Posted

Almost forgot to add, the Honest John was nuclear capable. We all had to get a security clearance for be on the crew. We were told the fallout range was 25 miles and the maximum missile range was 20 miles. I guess it would have been fire and then bend over and kiss your rump goodbye.

  • 6 months later...
Cobrahistorian
Posted

The third missile in the pic is the Corporal. We've got examples of each here at Ft. Sill now.

Rakkasan187
Posted

Now that Ft Bliss is home to the 1st Armored Division, there is very little left that would indicate this was the Air Defense Artillery center.. Most of the Air Defense displays have all moved up to Ft Sill, Oklahoma. There are still a few static pieces of ADA equipment here but I beleive they will be on permanant display here. One of the displays is a V2 rocket.

 

Leigh

1SG_1st_Cav
Posted

The 2nd Bn, 30th FA moved to Ft Sill, OK in 1964 and was inactivated on 25 October 1968. From 1 February 1952 until 25 October 1968 this unit had fired 296 Honest John Rockets and 61 Little John Rockets. This record was no broken.

A piece of trivia: In August 1959, command of the 2nd Missile Bn, 30th FA was passed to LTC Paul B. McCain [COL Retired].

His nephew is Senator John McCain.

 

Dan Gillotti, President & Historian, 30th Field Artillery Regiment Association

  • 1 month later...
Cobrahistorian
Posted

Leigh,

 

Nope. The V-2 is coming to Sill as well. I'm working transportation for it now. There's plenty going on that I'd be happy to talk to you offline about.

 

v/r

Jon

  • 8 months later...
Posted

Does anybody know where to get FM or TM for the Honest John? I have searched, but had no luck.

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