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JACKSON, NJ – The BOMARC missile site at Colliers Mills, New Jersey, is a relic of the Cold War era, specifically designed to house nuclear-armed BOMARC missiles. This site was part of a larger air defense strategy aimed at intercepting Soviet bombers. Operational from 1959 to 1972, it was one of several across the U.S. designed to defend against potential nuclear attacks.
However, the site became infamous due to a 1960 accident. A missile caught fire, causing its nuclear warhead to melt, releasing plutonium contamination into the surrounding area. While the warhead didn’t detonate, the fire led to significant radioactive contamination. Efforts to contain the contamination included sealing the site with concrete and asphalt, and the area remained fenced off for years to prevent exposure.
Today, the Colliers Mills site sits in a remote part of the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, near Jackson Township, NJ. While it’s no longer operational, its history as a Cold War missile base still lingers as part of the region’s less well-known military history.
Bomarc missile launch site. Jackson, NJ – USAF photo
Sometimes the most pivotal moments in history are those that quietly fade into the annals of the past, all but forgotten. Such is the case with the Bomarc Missile Accident, an event that occurred on June 7, 1960, at the Lakehurst Naval Base in New Jersey. This accident, involving the malfunction and subsequent fire of a Bomarc missile, left an indelible mark on Cold War history and prompted sweeping changes in military safety protocols.
The Bomarc Missile Program was a United States-Canadian initiative to develop a surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting incoming enemy bombers. The missile stored at Lakehurst was equipped with a nuclear warhead. On that fateful day in June, a helium tank within the missile’s storage shelter exploded, leading to a fire that engulfed the missile and its radioactive payload.
Ariel view of the Bomarc missile site
Fortunately, the nuclear warhead did not detonate, but the incident did result in the release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment. The immediate area was evacuated, and a cleanup operation was initiated. However, the incident had lasting implications. For decades, the contaminated soil and groundwater remained a point of environmental and public health concern.
The accident led to increased scrutiny of the Bomarc Missile Program and a reconsideration of the risks associated with storing nuclear warheads. Stricter regulations were put in place to minimize the risks of similar accidents. It also stoked public fears and debates about the safety of nuclear weapons, adding fuel to the anti-nuclear movement that was gathering momentum at the time.
NJDEP photo during the remediation of the Bomarc missile site.
The site of the Bomarc Missile Accident is now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In the years following the incident, the area was subjected to cleanup operations, and several studies were conducted to assess and mitigate the environmental impact. While the site has been mostly remediated, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with nuclear armaments.
The Bomarc Missile Accident may be a lesser-known chapter in Cold War history, but it provides crucial lessons about the potential consequences of wielding such powerful technology. Although the incident did not result in loss of human life, it had a lasting impact on military protocols and environmental safety. Today, it stands as a warning of what could go wrong when the unimaginable becomes conceivable.
The BOMARC missle base is still there today. You can find it near the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. It is fenced off, but you can see all of the missile sites rusting away as nature reclaims the site.
That Time A Nuclear Warhead Nearly Detonated in New Jersey
JACKSON, NJ – The BOMARC missile site at Colliers Mills, New Jersey, is a relic of the Cold War era, specifically designed to house nuclear-armed BOMARC missiles. This site was part of a larger air defense strategy aimed at intercepting Soviet bombers. Operational from 1959 to 1972, it was one of several across the U.S. designed to defend against potential nuclear attacks.
However, the site became infamous due to a 1960 accident. A missile caught fire, causing its nuclear warhead to melt, releasing plutonium contamination into the surrounding area. While the warhead didn’t detonate, the fire led to significant radioactive contamination. Efforts to contain the contamination included sealing the site with concrete and asphalt, and the area remained fenced off for years to prevent exposure.
Today, the Colliers Mills site sits in a remote part of the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area, near Jackson Township, NJ. While it’s no longer operational, its history as a Cold War missile base still lingers as part of the region’s less well-known military history.
Bomarc missile launch site. Jackson, NJ – USAF photo
Sometimes the most pivotal moments in history are those that quietly fade into the annals of the past, all but forgotten. Such is the case with the Bomarc Missile Accident, an event that occurred on June 7, 1960, at the Lakehurst Naval Base in New Jersey. This accident, involving the malfunction and subsequent fire of a Bomarc missile, left an indelible mark on Cold War history and prompted sweeping changes in military safety protocols.
The Bomarc Missile Program was a United States-Canadian initiative to develop a surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting incoming enemy bombers. The missile stored at Lakehurst was equipped with a nuclear warhead. On that fateful day in June, a helium tank within the missile’s storage shelter exploded, leading to a fire that engulfed the missile and its radioactive payload.
Ariel view of the Bomarc missile site
Fortunately, the nuclear warhead did not detonate, but the incident did result in the release of radioactive contaminants into the surrounding environment. The immediate area was evacuated, and a cleanup operation was initiated. However, the incident had lasting implications. For decades, the contaminated soil and groundwater remained a point of environmental and public health concern.
The accident led to increased scrutiny of the Bomarc Missile Program and a reconsideration of the risks associated with storing nuclear warheads. Stricter regulations were put in place to minimize the risks of similar accidents. It also stoked public fears and debates about the safety of nuclear weapons, adding fuel to the anti-nuclear movement that was gathering momentum at the time.
NJDEP photo during the remediation of the Bomarc missile site.
The site of the Bomarc Missile Accident is now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In the years following the incident, the area was subjected to cleanup operations, and several studies were conducted to assess and mitigate the environmental impact. While the site has been mostly remediated, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with nuclear armaments.
The Bomarc Missile Accident may be a lesser-known chapter in Cold War history, but it provides crucial lessons about the potential consequences of wielding such powerful technology. Although the incident did not result in loss of human life, it had a lasting impact on military protocols and environmental safety. Today, it stands as a warning of what could go wrong when the unimaginable becomes conceivable.
The BOMARC missle base is still there today. You can find it near the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. It is fenced off, but you can see all of the missile sites rusting away as nature reclaims the site.
Did You Know? New Jersey Has its Own Rodeo
When you think of rodeos, New Jersey might not be the first place that comes to mind. But nestled in the farmlands of Salem County is Cowtown Rodeo, the oldest weekly professional rodeo in the United States. Established in 1929 and running weekly since 1955, this rodeo has become a beloved Garden State tradition that transports visitors straight to the Wild West every Saturday from May through September.
Cowtown Rodeo was founded by Howard Harris Sr. and his son, Stoney, as part of the Salem County Fair. After a hiatus during World War II, the rodeo returned in full force under the direction of the Harris family and continues to thrive today. The event features everything you’d expect from a classic rodeo—bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more, all in a rustic 4,000-seat arena.
Visitors to Cowtown are treated to a piece of Americana that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Philadelphia and New York City. The rodeo’s atmosphere is as authentic as it gets, complete with an opening ceremony where cowboys ride into the ring, often with the national anthem playing under a cotton-candy sky ad dusk.
Families pack the stands, eager to watch daring feats of horsemanship and rodeo skills passed down through generations.
Cowtown has garnered national attention throughout its history, even appearing on television in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it’s still a draw for top-tier cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. In fact, many of the animals used in the competitions are raised by the Harris family themselves, ensuring that Cowtown continues to be a truly homegrown operation.
If you’re ever in South Jersey on a summer weekend, this rodeo is a must-see event that mixes history, excitement, and a bit of that cowboy spirit. So, throw on some boots, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride—Cowtown Rodeo is living proof that New Jersey’s roots run deeper than you’d think!
Feds Charge New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Chief as Agent of Chinese Communist Party
BROOKLYN, NY – Linda Sun, a former high-ranking New York State government employee, has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday. Sun, alongside her husband, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy. The charges include violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Both defendants were arrested and are set to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.
Sun allegedly used her influential positions within New York State, including the Executive Chamber, to further the interests of the PRC and CCP. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated that Sun’s actions, “while appearing to serve the people of New York,” were instead designed to enrich her family by millions of dollars and to promote the agendas of the Chinese government. The scheme involved manipulating political activities, granting unauthorized access to PRC representatives, and altering official messaging to favor CCP interests.
In return, Sun and Hu received significant financial rewards and other benefits, which they laundered to acquire luxury assets, including properties in New York and Hawaii valued at over $6 million, and a 2024 Ferrari.
The couple also used fraudulent means to open bank accounts under a relative’s name to conceal their financial activities.
The FBI and IRS, along with other federal agencies, collaborated on the investigation. Sun and Hu now face charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Cybercrime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
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Publish date : 2024-09-08 03:46:00
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