Flashlarue Posted May 7, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 7, 2014 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. Second rocket on launcher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunnyB/3/75FA Posted May 7, 2014 Share #2 Posted May 7, 2014 could the second one be a honest john? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted May 7, 2014 Share #3 Posted May 7, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Herd Posted May 7, 2014 Share #4 Posted May 7, 2014 The first one is an Honest John and the second one is a Nike Ajax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted May 7, 2014 Share #5 Posted May 7, 2014 I even have a circuit tester for the Ajax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbunnyB/3/75FA Posted May 7, 2014 Share #6 Posted May 7, 2014 lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashlarue Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted May 7, 2014 Full photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonradmil Posted May 7, 2014 Share #8 Posted May 7, 2014 Kind of looks like Ft Bliss in the background. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13M40(RET) Posted May 7, 2014 Share #9 Posted May 7, 2014 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted May 7, 2014 Share #10 Posted May 7, 2014 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] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashlarue Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted May 7, 2014 Film was processed in El Paso, Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted May 9, 2014 Share #12 Posted May 9, 2014 Technical school graduation ceremony, perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
servpels Posted September 23, 2014 Share #13 Posted September 23, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
servpels Posted September 30, 2014 Share #14 Posted September 30, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobrahistorian Posted April 2, 2015 Share #15 Posted April 2, 2015 The third missile in the pic is the Corporal. We've got examples of each here at Ft. Sill now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted April 3, 2015 Share #16 Posted April 3, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted April 3, 2015 Share #17 Posted April 3, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobrahistorian Posted June 3, 2015 Share #18 Posted June 3, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
servpels Posted February 29, 2016 Share #19 Posted February 29, 2016 Does anybody know where to get FM or TM for the Honest John? I have searched, but had no luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now