User:Movementarian/Roi-Namur

Coordinates: 9°23′46″N 167°28′33″E / 9.39611°N 167.47583°E / 9.39611; 167.47583
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My Roi Project

Roi–Namur Battlefield
Movementarian/Roi-Namur is located in Marshall Islands
Movementarian/Roi-Namur
LocationReagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll
Coordinates9°23′46″N 167°28′33″E / 9.39611°N 167.47583°E / 9.39611; 167.47583
Built1944
NRHP reference No.85001758
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 4, 1985[1]
Designated NHLDFebruary 4, 1985[2]

Roi-Namur is the northernmost island of Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is currently the home to the U.S. Army’s Kiernan Reentry Measurements Site (KREMS) and part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site. [3]

History[edit]

The Spanish were the first European nation to visit Kwajalein Atoll, doing so in the 16th Century[4]. The Spanish claimed the islands, which was recognized by the international community in 1874. The Marshall Islands were declared as a protectorate by Germany in 1885.[5]

World War II[edit]

The Marshall Islands were seized by the Japanese in 1914 and administered them according to a League of Nations mandate beginning in 1920. This lead to Japanese development of the Marshalls and a later military build-up following the The Occupied by Japanese forces prior to World War II, it was the target of the U.S. 4th Marine Division in the Battle of Kwajalein, in February 1944.

It is home to about 100 Americans who work on the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site. There is one runway for small planes that commute from Kwajalein. The activities on Roi-Namur range from a nine hole golf course, saltwater swimming pool, scuba club, movie theater, volleyball, and basketball court.

The island actually used to be two different islands until they were joined by the German navy who had used the place as a resupply base. The soil used to join the islands consists of excess ballast left by German ships after taking on supplies. The Namur side is home to the jungle and radar tracking stations. Roi is the main housing area, with most of the retail facilities there. The housing department, library, gym, barber shop, snack bar, and Outrigger bar share one building. The store carries the same basic necessities as a convenience store, along with a DVD rental facility.

There are small launch facilities on Roi-Namur at which missiles defense tests have taken place. The missiles launched here are usually sounding rockets that ascend beyond the atmosphere but which have short ranges.

There are 4 large radars located on the island: TRADEX, ALTAIR, ALCOR, and MMW.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
  2. ^ "Roi-Namur". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-06-28.
  3. ^ http://www.techbastard.com/missile/kwajalein.php
  4. ^ http://www.visitmarshallislands.com/history.htm
  5. ^ http://www.unicover.com/OPUBA565.HTM

External links[edit]

Category:Historic districts in the Marshall Islands Category:National Historic Landmarks of the United States Category:Islands of the Marshall Islands