The Cold War at Miller Field

Updated: April 6, 2007

Miller Field During the Cold War:
After World War 2, Miller Field continued to be used as a military base. In 1950, anti-aircraft guns were deployed to protect American cities against possible Soviet air strikes. A battery of four, radar-controlled 120mm guns of "A" Battery of the 245th AAA Battalion were emplaced at Miller Field. These guns were replaced by 19 Nike Ajax batteries that were emplaced around New York City.

120mm AAA Guns at Fort Meade, MD in 1953.

Nike Missiles Repaired at Miller Field:
In the 1950's, Miller Field was the first Nike missile regional maintenance facilities in the New York area. This facility provided support to the 19 Nike Ajax air defense launcher sites surrounding the New York metropolitan area. On May 22, 1958, several workers from this facility were killed in an explosion at a Nike-Ajax missile base in Middletown Township, NJ. Army officials said ordnance crews had been replacing the arming mechanisms on the missiles when the blast occured.

Nike Missiles at Fort Tilden

Nike Hercules Missiles at Fort Tilden, NY.

An Airline Disaster at Miller Field:

TWA Super Constellation over NYC.

On December 16, 1960, TWA Flight 266, a Lockheed Super Constellation headed to LaGuardia Airport, and a United Airlines Flight 826, a Douglas DC-8 headed to Idlewild Airport (now JFK), collided over Miller Field. The wreckage of the TWA Super Constellation landed on Miller Field. The United DC-8 continued flying and crashed in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn (Sterling Place and Seventh Avenue). This mid-air collision was the worst airline disaster in the United States at that time.

All 134 passengers and crew aboard both planes were killed, as well as six persons at the crash site in Brooklyn.

The cause of the crash is believed to have been due to the United DC-8 being at an incorrect altitude and 12 miles off course.

December 16, 1960. A TWA Super Constellation and a United DC-8 collided over Miller Field killing all passengers and crew.

The United DC-8 crashed in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The Green Berets at Miller Field:
In 1963, Miller Field became the headquarters of the US Army 11th Special Forces Group. This unit trained law enforcement and National Guard Units in riot control.

The 11th Special Forces Group Insignia.

Miller Field is Deactivated:
After after almost 50 years of service, Miller Field was deactivated as a military post in November of 1969. The surplus land was turned over to the National Park Service and in 1972, it became part of the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.

Miller Field becomes a park.

August 25, 1971 -- Federal Government Is Sued Over Miller Field; Staten Islanders Protest Plan to Build Homes There Local Board Head Says City Is in 'Undercover' Deal. Staten Island's biggest piece of "Army surplus" -- the 213acre expanse of Miller Field, a former Army aviation base -- is up for grabs, but the city, according to angry islanders, is not grabbing hard enough. (New York Times)

September 27, 1972 -- HOUSE VOTES BILL ON GATEWAY AREA BUT KILLS HOUSING; Rockefeller Plan for Project at Floyd Bennett Defeated -- Park Named for Ryan. WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The House today approved creation of a 26,172-acre national recreation area at the entrance to New York harbor after killing a provision for a massive housing project that the Rockefeller administration wanted to build on part of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. (New York Times)

October 29, 1972 -- Four-Year Gateway Effort Ends As Nixon Signs the Bill Into Law. WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- A four-year effort to establish a Gateway National Recreation Area at the entrance to New York Harbor became a reality today when President Nixon signed into law a bill authorizing the 26,172-acre urban park. (New York Times)

December 26, 1972 -- Gateway to Public: Don't Hurry; Date Recreation Site Will Be Open Hinges Mainly on Money. WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 -New York and New Jersey residents planning to rush to the New York harbor beaches next summer to enjoy the benefits of the first national park in a major metropolitan center need not hurry. (New York Times)