Narrative history of the Army's aerospace experience from the 1950s to the present. The focus is on ballistic missile defense, from the early NIKE-HERCULES missile program through the SAFEGUARD acquisition site allowed by the 1972 ABM Treaty to the more advanced "Star Wars" concepts studies toward the end of the century. Covered is not only the technological response to the threat but the organizational and tactical development of the commands and units responsible for the defense mission.