Tag: ICBM
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North Dakota: ABM Sites
North Dakota is home an abandoned 1970s Anti-Ballistic Missile complex, originally intended to protect the US ICBM launch sites from incoming missiles. In theory, it was a de-escalation step, since the ability to protect the launch sites would give the US more time to stop and think if it spotted what seemed to be an…
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North Dakota: Minuteman Museum
I’m in North Dakota, visiting the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site. It’s a real (retired) Minuteman control silo. It’s one of several Minuteman sites that were closed down under the START treaty ICBM limits. A giant freight elevator takes you down 52 feet to the command level, then there is a 7 ton blast door…
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Ukraine: Soviet ICBM Base
You enter through the basement blast doors and then ride the tiny elevator 11 levels down into the armored control silo. You and one of your comrades man the launch control consoles. A quick consultation, then 1-2-3 you each turn your launch key and simultaneously push your launch button. And the SS-24 ICBM roars into…
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Titan Missile Museum
You enter the silo control room and take the command chair. Bob enters the launch codes and takes the deputy commander chair. The green “Ready to Launch” light comes on. “One – Two – Three” and you both simultaneously turn your launch keys. The “Launch Enable” light comes on. The ICBM launch is now irrevocable…