Former Missile Site Transferred to LAPD
An abandoned outpost of the Cold War will soon be teeming with weapons again as the result of a City Council decision Wednesday.
The Oat Mountain Nike Missile Site in the unincorporated foothills above Chatsworth was once one of 16 missile-control posts the Army built around Los Angeles to protect the city from Soviet attack.
Now deserted, the 23-acre site is maintained by the city and occasionally used by the Police Department for Special Weapons and Tactics unit training. The council voted to transfer the eastern half of the land to the LAPD, giving the SWAT team a permanent place to practice.
Police Capt. Roger Coombs, who oversees the SWAT team, said the squad will use live ammunition and practice hostage and rescue scenarios in the remote area, situated on Browns Canyon Road about 4 1/2 miles north of the 118 Freeway.
“If we want to make any improvements to the site, we can,” Coombs said. He said the Police Department may add targets and store equipment in the area.
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