Fort Greely

September, 2022

Location:

Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

Units:

49th Missile Defense Battalion

Known Systems and Batteries:

Fort Greely is home to 44 Ground-based Interceptors, heightening America’s domestic ballistic missile defense capabilities. 20 additional silos have been established and are awaiting NGI placement, estimated by 2027.

Timeline:

August 17, 2005: The 49th receives its own insignia with the phrase “Defensimus Patrium”, or “Defend the Homeland”.[i]

July 22, 2004: Fort Greely receives its first Ground-based Interceptor, manned by the 49th Missile Defense Battalion.

January 22, 2004: The 49th Missile Defense Battalion is established at Fort Greely as part of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO.

2001: Fort Greely designated as the Ground-based Midcourse Missile Defense Site.[i]

1942: Fort Greely is established as an Army Air Corps base during World War II.

[i] https://www.greely.army.mil/about/history.aspx

[i] https://www.army.mil/article/154008/smdc_history_49th_missile_defense_battalion_gmd_heraldry_approved