Welcome to the PH-82 Paoli / Valley Forge Nike Base website! If you've got anything to share, please send an email to info@ph15.org The PH-82 Paoli / Valley Forge (Diamond Rock) base was built in 1955 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Missile Master was located at PH-64DC Pedricktown, NJ. The base was manned by the Army until 1960 when the Pennsylvania Army National Guard took over [base reassignment documents.] The Army deactivated the base in 1964 as opposed to upgrading it the Nike Hercules system. For more detailed information, check out Hob Borgon's informative article, The Nike Base on Diamond Rock Hill . (Provided courtesy of the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society.)	Map of the Philadelphia Defense Area showing the "Ring of Steel" encircling the city.
The technical information below was used with permission from the book, Rings of Supersonic Steel - Air Defenses of the United States Army 1950-1979 by Mark L. Morgan and Mark A. Berhow. The book is available at www.holeintheheadpress.com. Magazines: 1B (Ajax converted to Hercules; modifications were made for the elevator to handle the increased weight) / 2C (Original Ajax - 3 satellite launchers, 1 launcher on elevator.) Missiles: 30 Ajax Launchers: 12 Ajax Launchers Units: (Battery/Missile Battalion/Artillery Regiment) A/176th (2/1955-9/1958) US Army A/2/59th (9/1958-4/1960) US Army HHB/3/166th (6/1959-3/1964) PA Army National Guard D/3/166th (4/1960-3/1964) PA Army National Guard 1958 Aerial view of the entire PH-82 Paoli / Valley Forge Base. The Launch area is on the left side of the image while IFC is on the right, atop Diamond Rock Hill. 1958 Aerial view of the PH-82 Paoli / Valley Forge Base IFC. 1958 Aerial view of the PH-82 Paoli / Valley Forge Base Launch Area. A/2/59th IFC. Courtesy of LTC John Allen and the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society This is a battery formation of A/2/59, held on the parking lot at the IFC on North Mountain, estimated to be in 1958. Capt. John Allen, the CO, is being saluted by M/Sgt O’Malley, the First Sgt. of the battery.Courtesy of the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Ground view of Control Area, Site Number 82. 29 April 1963. Courtesy of Sam Stokes Control to Launcher, Site Number 82. 29 April 1963. Courtesy of Sam Stokes Launcher to Control, Site Number 82. 29 April 1963. Courtesy of Sam Stokes Ground view of Launcher Area, Site Number 82. 29 April 1963. Courtesy of Sam Stokes Ground view of Launcher Area, Site Number 82. 29 April 1963. Courtesy of Sam Stokes Ground view of IFC Area. MTR in the foreground, Acquisition Radar being serviced at center, TTR in background. National Archives and Records Administration. Supplied by Roger Thorne of the Tredyffrin Historical Society Aerial view of Launcher Area with 4 Nike Ajax Missiles in horizontal position. National Archives and Records Administration. Supplied by Roger Thorne of the Tredyffrin Historical Society Ground view of IFC Area. Acquisition Radar being serviced in the foreground, TTR in the background. National Archives and Records Administration. Supplied by Roger Thorne of the Tredyffrin Historical Society Aerial view of Launcher Area with 4 Nike Ajax Missiles raised in launch position. National Archives and Records Administration. Supplied by Roger Thorne of the Tredyffrin Historical Society Like PH-82 on facebook! Help keep ph15.org online! No donation is too big or too small. Website created by Chris Milewski to preserve the history of PH-82. This website is hosted by www.ph15.org