> They even secretly had nuclear warheads on the Nike Atlas missiles there to take out incoming bombers where the missiles were less accurate.

I think you mean Nike Ajax, although Ajax missiles adapted for nuclear warheads were actually called Nike Hercules.

Yes, sorry, going from memory, and just had that it was another A-something god in mind. You’re right, Ajax, not Atlas.

A few years back when I was at sandy hook the missile system gate was open. Some veterans who used to operate it gave us a free tour of the equipment and explained all about it.

I live near it now and can highly recommend a visit.

I’m still surprised how many New Yorkers are unaware of this half of the Gateway area and the summer accessibility via the ferry.. though of course it’s plenty popular nonetheless.

The trip down 36 can get brutal, but it’s a great bit of land all year round. Especially right up at the north end walking around the dunes. The inner beaches are beautiful and calm for young kids too. It’s a soft warm calm puddle in the summer, where the outer side gets rougher. The toddlers loved the inside and teens the outside.

Taught my wife and one of the kids to drive down there too. Up at the end are really good, mostly empty roads and parking lots for beginner drivers to practice on.

Have you toured the Battleship NJ? The firing computer is a mechanical analog computer. It's wild to see what can be done with some precision ground gears.

Never made it, but they have some great YouTube explanations I’ve seen.