SA-8 Gecko Surface-to-air Missile System
nellis air force base
Discription:
SA-8 Gecko Surface-to-air Missile System (Captured Enemy Vehicle). Actual operable full-size SA-8 Gecko, from the Soviet Union.
Responcible Organization/Individual:
Nellis Air Force Base
Designed By:
Soviet Union NII-20 Research Institute. The original design and variants designed 1960-1972.
Address:
Nellis Air Force Base, 4700 Las Vegas Blvd. N, North Las Vegas, 89191-6600. (Adjacent to North Las Vegas, the base is legally located separately in Clark County, just outside North Las Vegas boundary.)
GPS Coordinates:
Hours Available
Ceremonies: no
History:
The SA-8 Gecko is a highly mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to accompany ground units and protect them from jet aircraft and helicopters. A 6×6 wheeled self-propelled vehicle, the system was the first mobile air defense missile system to incorporate its own engagement radar on a single-vehicle. The Gecko was employed against U.S. aircraft by Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War, and by Libya in 1986 during Operation Eldorado Canyon, the U.S. raid retaliating against Libyan-sponsored terrorism, and other combat situations. It was designated “Gecko” by NATO once its existence was verified. The system is operable and while it stands in its own space, it does make appearances around Nellis AFB from time to time. The vehicle is under the auspicious of the Nellis 547th Intelligence Squad and has an insignia that reads, “Our Adversaries Have No Secrets.” Nellis AFB is known as the “Home of the Warfighter … Fly, Fight, Win.” A member of the U.S. Air Combat Command, fighter aircraft of all types can be found there. Air Force training is conducted in conjunction with air and ground units of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and air forces from allied nations.