PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
UPDATE: Richard Eldridge passed away in February of 2019. Rest in peace.
POVLA - 0009 - Mt. Gleason Nike Missile Installation - LA-04
This episode’s destination - [ Ссылка ]

Post Audio - Sean O'Brien - [ Ссылка ]

If you'd like to support this channel and content, please donate through
PAYPAL: povlosangeles@gmail.com
Send BTC to Bitcoin Address: 1MCaTDGcTiYbRx8qYBMRsuJy7zJJtm9UbJ
PATREON: [ Ссылка ]

Links to Websites & Research Material
Historical & Descriptive Data of the Mt. Gleason Nike Site - [ Ссылка ]
Photographs of the Mt. Gleason site in 1988 - [ Ссылка ]
The most comprehensive Nike Missile Installation website - [ Ссылка ]
Nike Missile Equipment manual with diagrams - [ Ссылка ]
Audio of JFK’s Full 1961 State of the Union Address - [ Ссылка ]
CBS news Paul Magers recounts the events of August 30th onede year later - [ Ссылка ]
Alan Simmons has some incredible footage of the Station Fire (and other fires):
[ Ссылка ]
[ Ссылка ]

In this episode, Neighbor Mike and I travel to an abandoned Cold War Nike Missile installation situated near Mount Gleason (~6520 ft.), deep in the Angeles National Forest. As the crow flies, this is just 23 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

FUN FACT - Angeles National Forest is the oldest national forest in California and is California Historical Landmark #717.

Beginning in 1958, many of these missile sites were equipped with the new Nike Hercules Missile that carried either a 2kt or 20kt nuclear warhead.

With only a 100 mile range, the Nike Hercules missiles were the last line of defence against a Russian (or Chinese) attack of bombers or ICBMs.
Here is an AT&T (formly Western Electric) historical video with excellent information about the cold war missile defense.
[ Ссылка ]
It is fascinating how quickly this project went from idea to construction and implementation.

Los Angeles had 16 of these Nike Missile sites defending the LA basin. Chicago and New York City were surrounded by about 20 of these sites each. Here is a comprehensive list of the Nike Sites throughout the United States. You can see if there were any installations in your area or state.
[ Ссылка ]

The Mount Gleason Nike Missile Installation, denoted LA-04, was operational from 1955 to 1974. At over 6500 feet, this was the highest Nike Missile Site in the country.

The Mt. Gleason site was closed in 1974 and the property was returned to the forest service.

In 1979, this site was converted to a Los Angeles County prison fire camp #16. [ Ссылка ]

In late August of 2009, the Station Fire burned the Angeles National Forest, consuming over 160,000 acres. On August 30th, the fire destroyed the Mt. Gleason site. Two firefighters died while trying to save the camp. Captain Tedmund “Ted” Hall and Engineer Arnie Quinones. There is a memorial near the site of Camp 16.

The site/camp is now abandoned and was mostly destroyed by the fire. A few concrete structures remain in the (1) Administrative and (2) Launch areas. The (3) IFC area on top of Mount Gleason is completely demolished, except for a large water tank.


A big thank you goes out to Rick Eldridge for taking the time to chat and tell his story. Thank you for your service, Rick.
And in remembrance of Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones.
These two put it all on the line to try to save others.
They are heroes in my eyes.
_____________________________________________________

My video gear and equipment:

My Current 4K Video Camera and lens: [ Ссылка ]
My Drone: [ Ссылка ]
My LENS ADAPTER: [ Ссылка ]
My favorite SHOTGUN MIC: [ Ссылка ]
My Canon SLR: [ Ссылка ]
My MOST USED lens: [ Ссылка ]
My favorite MACRO lens: [ Ссылка ]
My 7.5mm WIDE angle for GH5: [ Ссылка ]
Tripod head: [ Ссылка ]
Tripod legs: [ Ссылка ]
My Monopod: [ Ссылка ]
My GH5 Gimbal: [ Ссылка ]
My Gopro gimbal: [ Ссылка ]
_____________________________________________________

APPAREL!
Best heavy duty pants for bushwhackin': [ Ссылка ]
My favorite burly bushwhacking shirt: [ Ссылка ]
The greatest hiking/trail shoes: [ Ссылка ]
My take-everywhere rain jacket: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть