Pulled two alerts at Q-01 in 1975. I was an instructor for MM-III/CDB. Because Q-01 was the closest LCF (Launch Control Facility, back in the day), we always got VIPs as visitors who wanted to snoop around the missile field. Had a couple of state senators and other congress types on both visits. They seemed to be all into taking pics and such. However, down in the "Hole", at that time, pics were not allowed inside the capsule. So, that normally bummed them out. They also seemed to be somewhat surprised that both of us crew members wore S&W .38 pistols at all time. When asked why we wore them, they were surprised to hear that we had them to protect the "go to war" codes in our little red safe. They thought, like in the movies, we had them in case we needed to shoot the other member of the crew if they refused to "turn keys". That was Hollywood BS for sure. But, VIPs are what they are -- they believed that crap!! So it went a long time ago, before Peacekeeper!!
really good tour. I am sure you could have given a really in-depth first hand experience tour yourself. Was very respectful in that you did not overtalk the tour guide and let him do his job but when you respectfully added some of your experiences, that was the icing on the cake.
I was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB 1978-1981 and worked in this LCC many times. Was assigned to the 2149th AFCC Communications Squadron working on the the SACCS 465L Digital Equipment. We replaced an analog cut sheet printer with the thermal printer in the video, the analog printer wiped wire print heads across a carbon backed paper, cut it and put in a tray for reading, they tended to jam alot and required many dispatches out to repair or replace it. At that time, there was no terminal in the any capsules except the Alternate Command Posts at T-1 and I-1. There was also a phone on the wall in video time frame 3:17 beside the door leading to the elevator. On a dispatch, we would use the phone to talk to the crew to authenticate in. They would buzz the door from the capsule to give us entrance.
I was a missile launch officer at FE Warren 81-85 & although I was in the 320SMS I did get a chance to pull a precious few alerts at this LCC, Q01, during my 4 yr. Precious few as Q01 was only 35min from FEW AFBase so it was the closet & had a functional tiny TV that picked up maybe 3 stations. That was big. We usually had to drive to 320 sites for > 2hr. The barren landscape, wind, visiting this site really brings back memories.
@@lowellhmills John Eggeman. I lived at Hotel 01& in last yr or 2 at India. But once in a great while I had an alert at Q01 which was like a holiday...only 30min away & TV got several stations. That was like a holiday.
@@LTCJWE I'm so grateful for the year or so I was the Q-01 deputy flight commander under Capt Jack Salfen. Even eventually at T-01 (the ACP/SCP like you at India), the 400th SMS generally had the best commute. I pulled the rare alert at H-01 and that drive was horrible! Thanks for your service and you are the man!
I was stationed at FE Warren AFB 1980-1982. I was a Security Specialist worked security escort - went out with the missle maintenance crews to provide site security while access to the missile was “unbuttoned”. It was a good gig.
I worked in the system in South Dakota. Round about 1963 into 1967. Drove a million miles on those great gravel roads!! Looks like things have changed from 67 to when this was filmed. (DUHHHH) Brought back some fond memories of those days. I am still glad I did it!! Thanks for the tour..
92 MSS at Minot. These videos bring back good and bad memories. Nothing like being in a camper for 2 days on a missle site or hanging with the maintenance crews
I was assigned to 352 MSS at Whiteman AFB 89-90. I remember being on a camper and wasn't allowed to hook up to commercial power. We had an arctic blast come down and we had frost on sheets in the camper. I ended up sleeping in the back seat of the six pack. We were out there for 3 days. I would also go TDA to ARTs/SRTs and Fire Teams.. Used to go down in the capsule while off duty and played hearts/spades with the crew Had a lot of time off. ARTs/SRTs and Fire Teams used to work 3 days on 6 days off. .I worked 4 on 4 off. Good duty. PCSd to RAF Lakenheath UK and worked the flight line and some LE. Totally different animal.
Always loved clearing CAT guys/gals when I was in EMT. Plenty of shared love. We’d get you home and the missile cops would often bring us hot food from the LCF/MAF to return the favor. Some of my best buds to this day were my SET guys/gals.
I was 90th CES, '80-'84 and been to every one of the missile sites as well as the launch facilities. I was responsible for the light fixtures on the poles. Miles and miles of driving and many hours spent driving to do a few minutes of work. LOL I love the high prairies.
I live in Western Nebraska. We have about 160 missle silos in our vicinity. There is a huge bluff, Scott's Bluff, that rises about 800' above the river. If we are ever under threat of nuclear war, I hope I have time to drive to the top of the bluff. You aren't ever gonna see a fireworks show i like this again. Survival isn't a concern. Not sure why you would want to.
Anywhere near those silos the ground would glow for 100 years if there was a war. I grew up in the Sierras in CA and know of a place in the mountains 20 miles outside Yosemite Valley, back of a reservoir. About 7 miles past a damn on a tricky, narrow trail, with multiple narrow pass ways across steep granite that slides 100’s of feet into the water. A couple of sniper rifles and target practice. No other equipment or heavier armament can pass. Unlimited water.Has to be boiled. Serious Red Dawn stuff.
Yea if you live near a silo not a lot of chance for survival. But nuclear war is much more survivable in general than most people think. Have a PF 1000 shelter and stay in it for two weeks. Have an ample supply of food and water. Don’t live near enough a target that you’d be within the radius of the fireball plus the cep of the weapon. Things would get ugly when the food started to run out for survivors but our ancestors didn’t lay down die when things were tough 10,000 years ago. Someone has to carry the torch.
I worked as a MAF site cook in the 446th MS (321st Missile Wing) out of Grand Forks, ND. 1994-95. Quite an interesting tour of duty, three on, three off. All three squadrons were finally deactivated in 1997 in accordance with the START treaty. I believe that Oscar Zero which was part of the 448th MS was converted into a museum and is now maintained by the State Historical Society. The last Launch Facility turned into a display was November 33. Both sites are outside of Cooperstown, ND.
@@Nyet103 I remember having to come back to base on a UH-1 because the travel conditions were red due to a blizzard that lasted almost three days. The flight back to base took only a half hour as opposed to the regular almost two hour drive.
I took a tour of that place with my son, I was on Fireteams, so we was all over the missile field, but i mainly worked nights. The funny part was the first and last tour in the missile field was at Q-1, So it meant a lot for me to bring my son there. I told him in the 4 years i worked in the field, I have been every place in a MAF, but i never walked into the kitchen, the cooks there was very protective of the kitchen.. SO i was like i been in the LCC, everywhere down and upstairs, but i think this was the first time i was able to walk into the kitchen
I did security there, I worked mainly fire teams. You know the favorite people of the MAF. So I probably met you once or twice. I am sure every time the facility manager heard zebra 5 is coming for a visit, they probably cringed
I was at FE Warren 1970-1972 as a Power Production Specialist. I went to every site in the wing. In 2020 I took my brothers to Q-1 to show them what I did at the sites.
I was station at F. E. Warren AFB with the 90th Missile Security Squadron, from November 1982 to October 1983, covering the Alpha to Echo, and Papa to Tango LCFs. Most of my tour was spent at the Tango site just before the Peacekeeper system took over for the Minuteman 3 missile system. Each site complex had its own unique characteristics and challenges, especially Sierra, better known as Rabbit City. It was one of the best duty assignments I got the pleasure of enjoy during my service time.
Man, as someone that is on disability and will likely never make it there (couldn't get up the ladder if the elevator went out), thank you so much for that! I had no idea there was a museum for the Peacekeeper program. I've been to the Titan museum outside Tuscon, AZ many years ago, that was cool, too.
Toursof museums like this are rxtremely important to help people understand and appreciate that nuclear war is not a subject to be taken lightly. It's is also important to appreciate the men and women who were part of this all-important deterrent force.
Was an equipment operator cutting grass and clearing snow at the turn of the century... never got to see the inside of a maf before that was pretty awesome thank you
Never been there but have toured the nike ajax anti aircraft site just north of San Francisco. These were army missileers. These were clustered around major US cities and were the last line of defense against bomber attacks. The nike ajax had about a 90 mile range and was equipped with nuclear warheads. Access to the area by land was through a tunnel which was packed with explosives to be set off if a threat was detected. This site (SF-81) is the only fully restored one where inert missiles can be raised and made ready for launch. Would not have wanted to face one of these mean looking darts moving at mach 3 plus!!
The museum docent was fascinating to listen to. At 21:25 he is asked about how to cancel a launch command. So he walks over to the panel and explains how a launch would be canceled. Impressive that he can answer a random question like that. I wonder what else he knows about the facility that there just isn't time for him to present during the tour.
One important note. The CLIP (Cancel Launch In Process) would only prevent the launch. There is no self-destruct package on operational missiles. Once they leave the hole there is no recall ,no turning back and no self-destruct like you see in the movies.
Lots of veterans from these facilities, thank you for your patriotism! I was not, just a simple USAF pilot, flying missions over you, basically from McCord to MacDill, or Willow Grove RIP to Nellis. I'll let you guess why so long of a flight, before you could hear me I was already gone. Great video, wind was bleeping out the audio!
It's a pity they can't get ex missile officers (who operated the weapon system) to give these tours--the amateurs they have doing them try hard, but they get stuff wrong or can;t quite fill the holes. Still, it's good they kept these as "museums."
I toured Oscar Zulu in N.Dakota this summer. Our guide said that as sites were shut down the original property owner had first dibs to buy the property back at original sale price. You'd be nuts not to ! Hella cool hunting lodge !
Was a misileer at another base around a decade ago. Interesting to see the site. And as a misileer i also hated the shock isolators. Especially when they got cranky and I found myself at a 20 degree angle for my shift...
The Floor Leveling Procedure (Section 5 of your trusty Tech Order) was your friend, but since it was rarely used or even trained, most crew members were scared shitless to try it.
@@fredpearson5204 True. We were trained on it..., but it was pretty much "Here's what the checklist says." Yeah, sure, thanks for that... I did have an alert with a really smart/motivated deputy who knew how to do it, so we fixed out capsule once. So it does work if you know how.
Was at FEW from 74-78. Only 20 months or so on crew (prior Titan II at LRAFB). The floor never got out of whack unless we put it that way. Used to "ride the floor" for amusement. It was a pain to relevel, but it could be done. Spend the last 2.5 years in the Wing Command Post. After teaching ROTC for three years and attending ACSC at Maxwell, I was a Chief, Battle Staff on the Airborne Command Post. Fun times all through my missile years.
Great tour! So happy you went and visited! I Visited that site the first week it opened and did a full topside tour as well as the tour of the capsule on my channel. Thanks again! Gave you a thumbs up too!
Does anyone remember the opening sequence in the movie "Wargames"? This is that! The capsule with the two red chairs is identical in the movie. Super cool history here! Thank you to the dedicated USAF personnel who manned these stations all those decades.
Cool video. I spent almost two years at Whiteman AIr Force Base in Missouri back in the early 80's. We stayed out at the Launch Control Facility for three days and then we would come back for three days off.
@ 19:35 watch the start of the movie Wargames they go through the same (but shortened) sequence to launch but won't spoil the surprise if you've not seen it.
Was stationed AT FE WARREN AFB Wy from 78-82 in base comm ctr. had bf at 90mss MC-Z silos.. very kewl vid. brought back memories. loved my time at warren
The Atlas launch facility near Windsor, Colorado was donated to a non-profit to run as a museum for a decade or so. Funding ran out so it closed. Too bad as it was a relevant piece of history. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Atlas was in firing position, fueled and ready. The security around each launch site was amazing. Not a time I’d care to repeat. I was in Jr. High at the time.
It amazes me what is common knowledge now. UA-cam videos and comments discussing details that back in my (SAC) days we kept our damn mouth shut, didn't discuss openly about the business, and it was on a strictly "need to know" when we did. My wife didn't know anything about this, and I spent years in the missile field, but yet it's all OK now.
Good video. Been down there myself. Stationed at Ellsworth in the late 80's. Had to go retrieve a few missiles and transport back to base. We were the ones who pulled them out of the hole. Good times.
Hey Allen, I was the security forces that usually fucked up the combination required to get to the maintenance vault. At Ellsworth 1975-1978. Allan Dupuis
I was stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT from 1969 to 1972. As a missile control communicatin tech. Spent a lot of time at all 20 LCF`s and in the missile silo`s as well. I am sure a lot has changed since then, but in many ways it is the same.
Security forces from 2001-02.. Romeo Tango Sierra Papa and of course Quebec. Memories of the smell will always be with me. Played a lot of pool and watched a lot of movies. Never forget those times
I was a power production specialist at FE Warren AFB from November 1970 to March 1972. I maintained and repaired the standby generators at the Launch Facilities and Launch Control Facilities. I had the privilege of working on generators at all 200 LFS and all 20 LCFs. At that time the missiles were Minuteman I.
There are a lot of videos about these LCFs on UA-cam and none of them show any of the topside facilities. I get that the capsule is the most interesting part of the thing. But I want to see the rest of it. I worked in one as security in the 80s at Whiteman AFB (351st Strategic Missile Wing) so I have a bit of nostalgia for it. I worked at Alpha, Bravo, Delta and Foxtrot flights from 86-90.
Crazy to hear that denial switch was needed and used. I can’t imagine sitting in that seat if the nuke started making noises it shouldn’t have and then needing to constantly do the denial switch every 2 minutes. Some high anxiety
To cancel a launch: "And you'd sit there and you'd have to do that every like two minutes to keep it from launching. Somebody would have to go out there and deal with the missile out there and stop it from going through its paces *because that has happened many a times and that's what missilears have sat down here and saw the missiles start going through its paces on its gonna launch and just stay here and have to keep canceling it out.* "
Many a UFO have armed or disarmed ICBMs. Both American and Russian. Malstroms a famous case. Something that the Air Force doesn’t like to talk about. How does someone or something get into that system and take complete control? Only relinquishing control at the last second. Weird stuff going on around the Nuclear facilities.
@@larrythompkins1648 ALCC holdoff is done hourly to keep unauthorized access at lower states of readiness. If the capsules are disabled or in higher states of readiness the missile are programmed to automatically go into Radio Mode (RADMO). Your right. That statement matches nothing I wrote here.
Thank you for sharing a part of history as well as a part of your life. I’ve driven by Chugwater about 50 times in my life on my way to hunt pronghorn and mulies near Casper, Buffalo or Kaycee and always had a strange feeling knowing what’s in the ground. I do have one question. Obviously Missilers had to undergo physiologic testing, but did technicians such as yourself have to as well?
Wow what a great video thanks for posting this, I saw this similar set up on that 80s film day after amazing how they somewhat compared it to real life although I realize that movie can never really compare to how its really is actually executed
That was a really interesting tour. I love our the guild momentarily forgot the process for canceling a launch. What an unfortunate way that would be for starting WWIII 🙂
Once saw an MX booster launch a NASA payload from Wallops Island launch facility. I was about 400 miles from Wallops, and i could see first and second stages of the MX with the nakeye. Makes one imagine what a nuclear war would be like.
@@CodeBrownProductions Thanks. Glad to know you didn't have to rely on MREs. Just re-watched, the tour guide covered it around 5:50. Hope you never have to go back to doing this.
The part about cleaning up graffiti cracks me up. If you happen to find yourself in a launch facility or launch control facility in the Minot AFB missile complex and see ‘Walt Flanagan was here’ written in various spots, that was yours truly 😉
I remember the entire crew force was briefed not to make the holes on the PAS speaker say "SAC Sucks" because of somebody at Minot. That wasn't you was it?
@@jonmcdaniel8492 I was just at the tail end of SAC right before ACC was created, then we were slotted into Space Command, so the timeline doesn’t work in my favor. I’d proudly wear that badge of honor though.
Fascinating. In the Army we had USAFADs that had all the tactical theater nukes. I served with 2nd Det. We simply called it “Two Man Rule”. To make things more interesting at the FSS your partner was usually a German Soldier, whom may or may not speak English. Made things interesting.
So what was he gonna say after, 24:57, "...allows you to do just about anything within the confines of this space, so long as you are ready within a moments notice" ?
Food was prepared by an on-site chef. Meals were cooked to order from a restaurant style menu. There was a lounge area to watch TV and hang out. There was usually a weight room or fitness area, but this varied widely from site to site.
They like when call ahead really neat place, did you know there's a little man that lives in that picture. Probably the one that lives behind those fence's. Happy Holiday's DEC 25 2022.
I'm curious - did the USAF decommission the launch facility AND all of the silos connected to it or just the launch center? Seems like a lot of our launch locations are probably not really "secret" any more given the capability of satellites and other technology. I'm wondering if maybe all of these formerly secret bases are now being decommissioned as a direct result of them no longer being secret.
Nah. The sites are in plain sight on the prairies. While the locations aren’t just handed out to civilians, the locations are not classified. For example, on Hwy 83 just south of Max, ND you can see a missile silo a few hundred feet off the highway, as well as a Launch Control Facility/Missile Alert Facility not far away. They’re all in plain sight, accessible via public roads. Folks may not realize what they’re seeing when they do see them, but they’re right there plain as day.
It's Saturday December 24th 2022:Back in 1980 I was a CAP Cadet Air Force Auxiliary I remember SAC "Peace is Our Profession" was there Motto Also,I know someone who helped build the Roads around there Thank You for this Happy Holidays ⛄
Silly question, but if a nuclear exchange has happened, and one of these launch facilities took a direct hit, what was the chances of the two men launch crew being killed either by the direct hit or say the air filtration stop working or whatever from the direct hit?
If it was a direct hit 0% survival. These facilities were designed ND hardened again near miss and close proximity. In that case they have a very high likelihood of survival.
Pulled two alerts at Q-01 in 1975. I was an instructor for MM-III/CDB. Because Q-01 was the closest LCF (Launch Control Facility, back in the day), we always got VIPs as visitors who wanted to snoop around the missile field. Had a couple of state senators and other congress types on both visits. They seemed to be all into taking pics and such. However, down in the "Hole", at that time, pics were not allowed inside the capsule. So, that normally bummed them out. They also seemed to be somewhat surprised that both of us crew members wore S&W .38 pistols at all time. When asked why we wore them, they were surprised to hear that we had them to protect the "go to war" codes in our little red safe. They thought, like in the movies, we had them in case we needed to shoot the other member of the crew if they refused to "turn keys". That was Hollywood BS for sure. But, VIPs are what they are -- they believed that crap!! So it went a long time ago, before Peacekeeper!!
I only pulled one alert at Q01 because my commander's wife was due to download a baby. Otherwise we would be at H01 at the other side of the world.
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really good tour. I am sure you could have given a really in-depth first hand experience tour yourself. Was very respectful in that you did not overtalk the tour guide and let him do his job but when you respectfully added some of your experiences, that was the icing on the cake.
Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!
Thanks for the tour! MMT at Ellsworth from 1979 till they shutdown in 1994. I believe the inhibit was commonly referred to as the “Clip Command “.
I was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB 1978-1981 and worked in this LCC many times. Was assigned to the 2149th AFCC Communications Squadron working on the the SACCS 465L Digital Equipment. We replaced an analog cut sheet printer with the thermal printer in the video, the analog printer wiped wire print heads across a carbon backed paper, cut it and put in a tray for reading, they tended to jam alot and required many dispatches out to repair or replace it. At that time, there was no terminal in the any capsules except the Alternate Command Posts at T-1 and I-1. There was also a phone on the wall in video time frame 3:17 beside the door leading to the elevator. On a dispatch, we would use the phone to talk to the crew to authenticate in. They would buzz the door from the capsule to give us entrance.
I never worked at this specific one but all the ones that are still active for the Minuteman missiles.
I was a missile launch officer at FE Warren 81-85 & although I was in the 320SMS I did get a chance to pull a precious few alerts at this LCC, Q01, during my 4 yr. Precious few as Q01 was only 35min from FEW AFBase so it was the closet & had a functional tiny TV that picked up maybe 3 stations. That was big. We usually had to drive to 320 sites for > 2hr. The barren landscape, wind, visiting this site really brings back memories.
It brought back a lot of memories for me as well.....good and bad lol
Ha ha, you haven't lived unless you've hit a washboarded gravel road at 70 miles an hour or had a motor generator swapped out in the LCC. Good times.
I was at FEW from 1982-1986, deputy flight commander at Q-01 in that period. Lowell Mills at the 400th SMS. What's your name?
@@lowellhmills John Eggeman. I lived at Hotel 01& in last yr or 2 at India. But once in a great while I had an alert at Q01 which was like a holiday...only 30min away & TV got several stations. That was like a holiday.
@@LTCJWE I'm so grateful for the year or so I was the Q-01 deputy flight commander under Capt Jack Salfen. Even eventually at T-01 (the ACP/SCP like you at India), the 400th SMS generally had the best commute. I pulled the rare alert at H-01 and that drive was horrible! Thanks for your service and you are the man!
I was stationed at FE Warren AFB 1980-1982. I was a Security Specialist worked security escort - went out with the missle maintenance crews to provide site security while access to the missile was “unbuttoned”. It was a good gig.
hey jeff you may have went out with me in the field at one point, i was a SSMT/EMT Team chief with 90th OMMS. at Warren 79-83.
I worked in the system in South Dakota. Round about 1963 into 1967. Drove a million miles on those great gravel roads!! Looks like things have changed from 67 to when this was filmed. (DUHHHH) Brought back some fond memories of those days. I am still glad I did it!! Thanks for the tour..
92 MSS at Minot. These videos bring back good and bad memories. Nothing like being in a camper for 2 days on a missle site or hanging with the maintenance crews
I was assigned to 352 MSS at Whiteman AFB 89-90. I remember being on a camper and wasn't allowed to hook up to commercial power. We had an arctic blast come down and we had frost on sheets in the camper. I ended up sleeping in the back seat of the six pack. We were out there for 3 days. I would also go TDA to ARTs/SRTs and Fire Teams.. Used to go down in the capsule while off duty and played hearts/spades with the crew Had a lot of time off. ARTs/SRTs and Fire Teams used to work 3 days on 6 days off. .I worked 4 on 4 off. Good duty. PCSd to RAF Lakenheath UK and worked the flight line and some LE. Totally different animal.
@@andrew1970able I was at FE Warren and we both know that what you went through was bad but was a daily occurrence at Minot. Poor guys.
Always loved clearing CAT guys/gals when I was in EMT. Plenty of shared love. We’d get you home and the missile cops would often bring us hot food from the LCF/MAF to return the favor. Some of my best buds to this day were my SET guys/gals.
91st MSS at Minot..Interesting assignment !!!
I was 90th CES, '80-'84 and been to every one of the missile sites as well as the launch facilities. I was responsible for the light fixtures on the poles. Miles and miles of driving and many hours spent driving to do a few minutes of work. LOL I love the high prairies.
Lt Ballard is a close friend of mine. You probably worked with him.
I live in Western Nebraska. We have about 160 missle silos in our vicinity. There is a huge bluff, Scott's Bluff, that rises about 800' above the river. If we are ever under threat of nuclear war, I hope I have time to drive to the top of the bluff. You aren't ever gonna see a fireworks show i like this again. Survival isn't a concern. Not sure why you would want to.
I love it out there - clean, peaceful and good people!
Anywhere near those silos the ground would glow for 100 years if there was a war. I grew up in the Sierras in CA and know of a place in the mountains 20 miles outside Yosemite Valley, back of a reservoir. About 7 miles past a damn on a tricky, narrow trail, with multiple narrow pass ways across steep granite that slides 100’s of feet into the water. A couple of sniper rifles and target practice. No other equipment or heavier armament can pass. Unlimited water.Has to be boiled. Serious Red Dawn stuff.
Yea if you live near a silo not a lot of chance for survival. But nuclear war is much more survivable in general than most people think. Have a PF 1000 shelter and stay in it for two weeks. Have an ample supply of food and water. Don’t live near enough a target that you’d be within the radius of the fireball plus the cep of the weapon. Things would get ugly when the food started to run out for survivors but our ancestors didn’t lay down die when things were tough 10,000 years ago. Someone has to carry the torch.
I worked as a MAF site cook in the 446th MS (321st Missile Wing) out of Grand Forks, ND. 1994-95. Quite an interesting tour of duty, three on, three off. All three squadrons were finally deactivated in 1997 in accordance with the START treaty. I believe that Oscar Zero which was part of the 448th MS was converted into a museum and is now maintained by the State Historical Society. The last Launch Facility turned into a display was November 33. Both sites are outside of Cooperstown, ND.
Same here.86-87.Usually went to Juliet and India but also occasionaly to Golf and Hotel. Fun times.
@@Nyet103 I remember having to come back to base on a UH-1 because the travel conditions were red due to a blizzard that lasted almost three days. The flight back to base took only a half hour as opposed to the regular almost two hour drive.
I was there in 1973.
I took a tour of that place with my son, I was on Fireteams, so we was all over the missile field, but i mainly worked nights. The funny part was the first and last tour in the missile field was at Q-1, So it meant a lot for me to bring my son there. I told him in the 4 years i worked in the field, I have been every place in a MAF, but i never walked into the kitchen, the cooks there was very protective of the kitchen.. SO i was like i been in the LCC, everywhere down and upstairs, but i think this was the first time i was able to walk into the kitchen
Good memories of Grand Forks 321st! My husband was in missile maintenance there for almost 16 years! Thanks for keeping him well fed! 👍
I was a Missile Launch Officer for the 400MS back in the day (1997-2001)! Very cool to see this very same facility I’ve worked-almost traumatizing! 😂
I did security there, I worked mainly fire teams. You know the favorite people of the MAF. So I probably met you once or twice. I am sure every time the facility manager heard zebra 5 is coming for a visit, they probably cringed
I was at FE Warren 1970-1972 as a Power Production Specialist. I went to every site in the wing. In 2020 I took my brothers to Q-1 to show them what I did at the sites.
I was station at F. E. Warren AFB with the 90th Missile Security Squadron, from November 1982 to October 1983, covering the Alpha to Echo, and Papa to Tango LCFs. Most of my tour was spent at the Tango site just before the Peacekeeper system took over for the Minuteman 3 missile system. Each site complex had its own unique characteristics and challenges, especially Sierra, better known as Rabbit City. It was one of the best duty assignments I got the pleasure of enjoy during my service time.
I was at Delta-01 at Minot AFB North Dakota near Max North Dakota. 5 years.
2010 to 2015.
Man, as someone that is on disability and will likely never make it there (couldn't get up the ladder if the elevator went out), thank you so much for that! I had no idea there was a museum for the Peacekeeper program. I've been to the Titan museum outside Tuscon, AZ many years ago, that was cool, too.
You're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jason Jenkins? Yo ass is stinkin 😂🎉
Toursof museums like this are rxtremely important to help people understand and appreciate that nuclear war is not a subject to be taken lightly. It's is also important to appreciate the men and women who were part of this all-important deterrent force.
I love going though museums like this
I had no idea we had operational MX's until 2005! Thanks for doing this, I've been fascinated with the launch facilities since I was little.
Thanks for the tour!! I was stationed at FEW 79-83. I was with 90th OMMS/EMT. Fun times - some times....
This was a Peacekeeper site so I didn't work st this exact one but I worked at all the Minuteman sites.
Charlie hey Brother!!!
Was an equipment operator cutting grass and clearing snow at the turn of the century...
never got to see the inside of a maf before that was pretty awesome thank you
Very interesting and thanks for showing me around a place I'll never see in person. All the best from over the pond in Scotland, UK.
You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for saving me the 20$. Still might go see that myself one day. Thanks for making this country great my friend.
Never been there but have toured the nike ajax anti aircraft site just north of San Francisco. These were army
missileers. These were clustered around major US cities and were the last line of defense against bomber attacks. The nike ajax had about a 90 mile range and was equipped with nuclear warheads. Access to the area by land was through a tunnel which was packed with explosives to be set off if a threat was detected. This site (SF-81) is the only fully restored one where inert missiles can be raised and made ready for launch. Would not have wanted to face one of these mean looking darts moving at mach 3 plus!!
The museum docent was fascinating to listen to. At 21:25 he is asked about how to cancel a launch command. So he walks over to the panel and explains how a launch would be canceled. Impressive that he can answer a random question like that. I wonder what else he knows about the facility that there just isn't time for him to present during the tour.
I'm assuming quite a bit
@@CodeBrownProductions awesome vid man
One important note. The CLIP (Cancel Launch In Process) would only prevent the launch. There is no self-destruct package on operational missiles. Once they leave the hole there is no recall ,no turning back and no self-destruct like you see in the movies.
Thanks for taking us along. Hella neat facility. Those blast doors were BA
Lots of veterans from these facilities, thank you for your patriotism! I was not, just a simple USAF pilot, flying missions over you, basically from McCord to MacDill, or Willow Grove RIP to Nellis. I'll let you guess why so long of a flight, before you could hear me I was already gone. Great video, wind was bleeping out the audio!
Yeah sorry about that. Thank you tho!
Sr71 pilot?
I worked these LCF's in the Nebraska area in the mid 70's. Those were good memories with lots of stories. I was Sr. FSC at the time.
I particularly enjoyed the comments of someone who had “been there, done that”. Thanks for your service.
It's a pity they can't get ex missile officers (who operated the weapon system) to give these tours--the amateurs they have doing them try hard, but they get stuff wrong or can;t quite fill the holes. Still, it's good they kept these as "museums."
I felt that was the most annoying part personally.
I toured Oscar Zulu in N.Dakota this summer. Our guide said that as sites were shut down the original property owner had first dibs to buy the property back at original sale price. You'd be nuts not to ! Hella cool hunting lodge !
Was a misileer at another base around a decade ago. Interesting to see the site.
And as a misileer i also hated the shock isolators. Especially when they got cranky and I found myself at a 20 degree angle for my shift...
The Floor Leveling Procedure (Section 5 of your trusty Tech Order) was your friend, but since it was rarely used or even trained, most crew members were scared shitless to try it.
@@fredpearson5204 True. We were trained on it..., but it was pretty much "Here's what the checklist says." Yeah, sure, thanks for that... I did have an alert with a really smart/motivated deputy who knew how to do it, so we fixed out capsule once. So it does work if you know how.
@@Chuiodie, I hear you. I personally never did it, but had a crew partner (Missile Comp) who loved leveling the floor when it was out of tolerance.
Was at FEW from 74-78. Only 20 months or so on crew (prior Titan II at LRAFB). The floor never got out of whack unless we put it that way. Used to "ride the floor" for amusement. It was a pain to relevel, but it could be done. Spend the last 2.5 years in the Wing Command Post. After teaching ROTC for three years and attending ACSC at Maxwell, I was a Chief, Battle Staff on the Airborne Command Post. Fun times all through my missile years.
Great tour! So happy you went and visited! I Visited that site the first week it opened and did a full topside tour as well as the tour of the capsule on my channel. Thanks again! Gave you a thumbs up too!
Does anyone remember the opening sequence in the movie "Wargames"? This is that! The capsule with the two red chairs is identical in the movie. Super cool history here! Thank you to the dedicated USAF personnel who manned these stations all those decades.
I was at Combat Crew Training at Vandenberg AFB when that movie came out. We laughed at it.
That movie was very unrealistic when it came to accessing the facility though. They were never disguised as regular houses. 😂😂
Cool video. I spent almost two years at Whiteman AIr Force Base in Missouri back in the early 80's. We stayed out at the Launch Control Facility for three days and then we would come back for three days off.
I was at FE Warren......I don't miss those days lol
@@CodeBrownProductions, count yourself lucky that you weren't at Minot. ;-)
@@fredpearson5204 Why not Minot? Freezin's the Reason.
Completely facinating.I would love to take a tour of one close to Tennessee
Its pretty cool if you're into this kind of history
Missile maintenance officer at Minot 84-87. Been almost 40 years, but those memories are fresh.
The blistering speed of that elevator....wow!
Pretty much lol
That was actually a security feature
I was at Warren in the 80s mostly at Bravo 1 this is surreal
@ 19:35 watch the start of the movie Wargames they go through the same (but shortened) sequence to launch but won't spoil the surprise if you've not seen it.
Fascinating! I can see where the movie Wargames drew its influence.
I was in the missile mech job back in the late 1970's . That you for showing this it bring back a lot of menorys .
That was a very cool video. I was an FM at Sierra 01 from 1988-1990. You triggered a whole lot of memories for me. Thank you!!
Glad the site is intact and can be visited!
It sure is
I loved this tour, thank you for sharing and your service!
Very welcome!
I was a cook out at the LCF's (primarily Alpha-01) from Malmstrom AFB in the late 80's. I sure miss those days and I miss Montana!
Lol I definitely don't miss working at the MAFs lol
What a great tour guide
Me or the tour guide?
Awesome video, thank you. Still remember the scene from the movie War Games
Very cool. I've only been to the Titian II missile museum in AZ. This process system seems more complicated.
I want to check out the ones in AZ
Was stationed AT FE WARREN AFB Wy from 78-82 in base comm ctr. had bf at 90mss MC-Z silos.. very kewl vid. brought back memories. loved my time at warren
88th mss and quebec 1 was an ron spot fire teams wanted The day before travel day.Zebra -5 out in the field june 83-april 86.
The Atlas launch facility near Windsor, Colorado was donated to a non-profit to run as a museum for a decade or so. Funding ran out so it closed. Too bad as it was a relevant piece of history. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Atlas was in firing position, fueled and ready. The security around each launch site was amazing. Not a time I’d care to repeat. I was in Jr. High at the time.
Damn
It amazes me what is common knowledge now. UA-cam videos and comments discussing details that back in my (SAC) days we kept our damn mouth shut, didn't discuss openly about the business, and it was on a strictly "need to know" when we did. My wife didn't know anything about this, and I spent years in the missile field, but yet it's all OK now.
Yup, most of it is now knowledge that you can look up online and of course take tours of
I built the warheads for the Minuteman III at FE Warren AFB in the early 1970s. I loved Wyoming.
Thanks for posting this. Very cool!
FE Warren AFB 1980-1984 Facilities Maintenance Technician (FMT). I have been to everyone one of those suckers more than once!
Yeah, memories lol
Such a cool job
"If the missileers were receiving food from the chef upstairs".........and all the former Titan II crew members are rolling on the floor laughing.
Fair enough...but then, Minuteman guys didn't have to worry about the toxicity of Titan II fuel or the proximity of it to the crew. ;-)
Good video. Been down there myself. Stationed at Ellsworth in the late 80's. Had to go retrieve a few missiles and transport back to base. We were the ones who pulled them out of the hole. Good times.
Hey Allen, I was the security forces that usually fucked up the combination required to get to the maintenance vault. At Ellsworth 1975-1978. Allan Dupuis
I was stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT from 1969 to 1972. As a missile control communicatin tech. Spent a lot of time at all 20 LCF`s and in the missile silo`s as well. I am sure a lot has changed since then, but in many ways it is the same.
Security forces from 2001-02.. Romeo Tango Sierra Papa and of course Quebec. Memories of the smell will always be with me. Played a lot of pool and watched a lot of movies. Never forget those times
Really cool, enjoyed the narration and the video. Keep up the good work.
was stationed @ Ellsworth AFB 90 to 92, at that time the 44thMW was decommissioning. I remember those times with great memories.
I was a power production specialist at FE Warren AFB from November 1970 to March 1972. I maintained and repaired the standby generators at the Launch Facilities and Launch Control Facilities. I had the privilege of working on generators at all 200 LFS and all 20 LCFs. At that time the missiles were Minuteman I.
That’s some scary shit , I commend all personnel involved to keep us safe , thank you .
There are a lot of videos about these LCFs on UA-cam and none of them show any of the topside facilities. I get that the capsule is the most interesting part of the thing. But I want to see the rest of it. I worked in one as security in the 80s at Whiteman AFB (351st Strategic Missile Wing) so I have a bit of nostalgia for it. I worked at Alpha, Bravo, Delta and Foxtrot flights from 86-90.
Good stuff I did 4 years Security Forces in the missle field at Malmstrom
So did I 94-98' 10th MS/341st SP
@@TheSmiles813 we probably crossed paths I was 10th MS SFS Alpha Flight
I have a feeling the people in these silos are some of the safest people in the world.
Perhaps, depends on the conditions lol
I love the $5 Walmart lock hasp on the blast door....
Nothing but the best lol
Crazy to hear that denial switch was needed and used. I can’t imagine sitting in that seat if the nuke started making noises it shouldn’t have and then needing to constantly do the denial switch every 2 minutes. Some high anxiety
Pretty much
To cancel a launch:
"And you'd sit there and you'd have to do that every like two minutes to keep it from launching. Somebody would have to go out there and deal with the missile out there and stop it from going through its paces *because that has happened many a times and that's what missilears have sat down here and saw the missiles start going through its paces on its gonna launch and just stay here and have to keep canceling it out.* "
Many a UFO have armed or disarmed ICBMs. Both American and Russian. Malstroms a famous case. Something that the Air Force doesn’t like to talk about. How does someone or something get into that system and take complete control? Only relinquishing control at the last second. Weird stuff going on around the Nuclear facilities.
That's the first I've heard something like that. Hopefully a misunderstanding of what somebody said, because that wouldn't be good at all.
As a former missileer, this is the dumbest misstatement I’ve ever read.
@@larrythompkins1648 ALCC holdoff is done hourly to keep unauthorized access at lower states of readiness. If the capsules are disabled or in higher states of readiness the missile are programmed to automatically go into Radio Mode (RADMO).
Your right. That statement matches nothing I wrote here.
Great video thanks for the tour. Is this silo able to be activated in case of war?
Not the Peacekeeper silos. They were all deconstructed.
My father worked on the Minuteman launch vehicle development. Also, no silo tour?
If they ever have one available lol
I worked in The 91st missle maint sq in Minot,ND. I would love to take my daughter up there for a tour.
Do it
Cool footage. I would be keen too see it one day
Thank you for sharing a part of history as well as a part of your life. I’ve driven by Chugwater about 50 times in my life on my way to hunt pronghorn and mulies near Casper, Buffalo or Kaycee and always had a strange feeling knowing what’s in the ground. I do have one question. Obviously Missilers had to undergo physiologic testing, but did technicians such as yourself have to as well?
Yes. Anyone that worked on or around nukes or their launch codes had to have security clearance which included psych and background checks.
Wow what a great video thanks for posting this, I saw this similar set up on that 80s film day after amazing how they somewhat compared it to real life although I realize that movie can never really compare to how its really is actually executed
Great job, thanks for sharing
Welcome
Enjoyed watching, thanks
Welcome!
That was a really interesting tour. I love our the guild momentarily forgot the process for canceling a launch. What an unfortunate way that would be for starting WWIII 🙂
Once saw an MX booster launch a NASA payload from Wallops Island launch facility. I was about 400 miles from Wallops, and i could see first and second stages of the MX with the nakeye. Makes one imagine what a nuclear war would be like.
I worked security response team there in 1970!!
Looks like a great video. But it’s recorded at such a low volume that I couldn’t hear half of what he said
I knew the minute I saw "Chugwater" it was a former Peacekeeper missile LCC. There were 500 warheads on 50 Peacekeeper missiles. (10 per missile)
I always wanted to go thru there ,thx bro .Be cool .may we all be blessed.
Interesting filming method!
Been some time since I was at Quebec. 1979. Now it's a tour?
Thank you so much for uploading this phantastic Video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks guys for protecting the free world!
Thanks for this. How did food work during shifts, was it brought down to those on duty? Is there a kitchen on-site?
Kitchen staff on site. The food was delivered to the officer because they couldn't leave their stations. All others had to go get it.
@@CodeBrownProductions Thanks. Glad to know you didn't have to rely on MREs. Just re-watched, the tour guide covered it around 5:50. Hope you never have to go back to doing this.
The part about cleaning up graffiti cracks me up. If you happen to find yourself in a launch facility or launch control facility in the Minot AFB missile complex and see ‘Walt Flanagan was here’ written in various spots, that was yours truly 😉
Lol kickass
I remember the entire crew force was briefed not to make the holes on the PAS speaker say "SAC Sucks" because of somebody at Minot. That wasn't you was it?
@@jonmcdaniel8492 I was just at the tail end of SAC right before ACC was created, then we were slotted into Space Command, so the timeline doesn’t work in my favor. I’d proudly wear that badge of honor though.
Fascinating. In the Army we had USAFADs that had all the tactical theater nukes. I served with 2nd Det. We simply called it “Two Man Rule”. To make things more interesting at the FSS your partner was usually a German Soldier, whom may or may not speak English. Made things interesting.
5000 tactical nukes were in germany. all gone.
So what was he gonna say after, 24:57, "...allows you to do just about anything within the confines of this space, so long as you are ready within a moments notice" ?
Where is the E Club, and was the chow good? That’s all an old Retired Marine wants to know?
Donno
Food was prepared by an on-site chef. Meals were cooked to order from a restaurant style menu. There was a lounge area to watch TV and hang out. There was usually a weight room or fitness area, but this varied widely from site to site.
@@Badwolf75 mac and cheese
It was an option. I pretty much lived on cheeseburgers and fries.
@@Badwolf75 same
They like when call ahead really neat place, did you know there's a little man that lives in that picture. Probably the one that lives behind those fence's. Happy Holiday's DEC 25 2022.
Little man? Happy (insert holiday) ! Lol
little man is Kilroy!
I'm curious - did the USAF decommission the launch facility AND all of the silos connected to it or just the launch center? Seems like a lot of our launch locations are probably not really "secret" any more given the capability of satellites and other technology. I'm wondering if maybe all of these formerly secret bases are now being decommissioned as a direct result of them no longer being secret.
Arms reduction treaties and being replacedby new weapons primarily
Nah. The sites are in plain sight on the prairies. While the locations aren’t just handed out to civilians, the locations are not classified. For example, on Hwy 83 just south of Max, ND you can see a missile silo a few hundred feet off the highway, as well as a Launch Control Facility/Missile Alert Facility not far away. They’re all in plain sight, accessible via public roads. Folks may not realize what they’re seeing when they do see them, but they’re right there plain as day.
I was an fscs at Quebec in the 351st at Malmstrom and, montana.
You mean 341st
What's in the fenced off field area by the parking lot?
It's Saturday December 24th 2022:Back in 1980 I was a CAP Cadet Air Force Auxiliary I remember SAC "Peace is Our Profession" was there Motto Also,I know someone who helped build the Roads around there Thank You for this Happy Holidays ⛄
You forgot “war is just a hobby.”
@@jeffjohnsisland5551 To Err is Human. To Forgive is not SAC Policy.
Thank you.
I can’t imagine working in that environment for long hours! No windows or fresh air.
No different to working on a ship or sub, though on the ship yes you can go out for a breather when you want.
15:30 Gophers were the most common culprits in the Montana missile fields.
Silly question, but if a nuclear exchange has happened, and one of these launch facilities took a direct hit, what was the chances of the two men launch crew being killed either by the direct hit or say the air filtration stop working or whatever from the direct hit?
If it was a direct hit 0% survival. These facilities were designed ND hardened again near miss and close proximity. In that case they have a very high likelihood of survival.