Roi-Namur
Encyclopedia
Roi-Namur ˌrɔɪnəˈmʊər is an island in the northern part of the Kwajalein
atoll in the Marshall Islands
.
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 (Marshallese
: , n) is home to the jungle and radar tracking stations. The Roi side (, rw) 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.
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
atoll in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
.
Occupied by Japanese forces prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was the target of the U.S. 4th Marine Division
U.S. 4th Marine Division
The 4th Marine Division is a reserve division in the United States Marine Corps. It is the ground combat element of the Marine Forces Reserve and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana and has units throughout the United States.-Mission:...
in the Battle of Kwajalein
Battle of Kwajalein
The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...
, in February 1944.
It is home to about 100 Americans who work on the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site
Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site
The Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, commonly referred to as the Reagan Test Site , is a missile test range in the Pacific Ocean. It covers about and includes rocket launch sites at the Kwajalein Atoll , Wake Island, and Aur Atoll. It primarily functions as a test facility for U.S...
. There is one runway
Freeflight International Airport (Marshall Islands)
Freeflight International Airport, also known as Dyess Army Airfield, is a military airbase at Roi-Namur on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. It is owned by the United States Army...
for small planes that commute from Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
. 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 (Marshallese
Marshallese language
The Marshallese language is a Malayo-Polynesian language of the Marshall Islands, and the principal language of the country...
: , n) is home to the jungle and radar tracking stations. The Roi side (, rw) 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
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
located on the island: TRADEX, ALTAIR, ALCOR, and MMW.
