This article originally appeared in the Bristol Daily Courier - May, 1957.
Bristol Nike Base To Hold Open House
The public will be admitted through the gates of the Bristol Nike base on Ford Road, Bristol Township, Saturday afteroon to see how the men and officers of Battery D, 506th Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion work and live, First Lt. Robert J. Harcarik, commanding officer, said today.
Open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., at both the control and launcher area. The open house is in observance of Armed Forces Day.
At the same time, Lt. Harcarik announced that his unit has been officially name the Bristol Nike Battery by the U.S. Army Air Defense Command.
The soldiers will be attired in semi-dress uniform with red scarves, helmet liners and combat boots, to receive the visitors. Tours will be conducted of both the control and launcher area and between the two by Army bus.
As well as seeing the complex NIKE missiles and the apparatus that makes them work, visitors will visit the administration building and barracks. A visit to the mess hall may include a brief stop for refreshments.
At the control area the public will be shown the radar apparatus that automatically reports approaching planes, follows their trail and will unloose a guided missile upone them if it should be necessary.
The tour of the launcher area will be highlighted by a special demonstration of NIKE missiles being elevated from their underground storage pits and raised to firing position.
The missile assembly building, power plant and fueling area also will be opened to the public.
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