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By Al Donley · Published · Updated
During the Cold War, the Army parked nuclear-armed missiles in the Fairfax County suburbs. Thirteen surface-to-air missile batteries ringed Washington and Baltimore to intercept enemy aircraft.[1], [2]
Three of them were in Fairfax County specifically: Fairfax, Great Falls, and Lorton.[3]
Each battery had a launch site and a separate radar station to track incoming aircraft and guide the missiles toward their targets.[3], [1]
Lorton was built on prison grounds, and analysts believe it was equipped with nuclear-armed missiles.[4], [1]
Great Falls had a surprising second life. Its former radar site later became a satellite-tracking station whose work contributed to GPS.[5]
Today, parks and historical markers are among the few reminders that these quiet suburbs once formed part of America's Cold War defenses.[2]
