i've always wondered this: if the order comes to launch your partner refuses to launch or stops in the process, do you have to shoot him? sounds kind of silly but i saw this in the film WarGames
@crazygood150 No, you do not shoot your crew partner if he refuses to turn keys. War Games was really bad and the representation of the crew dogs at the beginning, talking about dope and such, was a Hollywood slam on all the good people protecting our Country out in the ICBM field.
We carried the sidearms to protect the documents in the Launch Control Center.
Wow...what memories. I was assigned to the 321st MSS, 73-77. Worked mostly in the 447th, Hotel and Fox Flight areas. Then wound up in Wing Security Control (WSC) for a couple years. Even though I was there long before this particular video was made, not much had changed regarding outside appearances.
Did you know that they turned Oscar Zero into a state park and now open to the public? After my alert duty was over, I was assigned to DO9 as a code controller/instructor.
It's nice to see that A-0 got some well deserved publicity. I spent most of my alerts at A-0 from 1978 to 1982. I remember that nobody wanted to go there for any reason :)
geoffck6969 question: we could tell you the procedure, but then we would have to ...
Yes, it is very sobering sitting in the command chair and looking at a row of lights knowing that there are live missles on the other end. I did 2 years at F.E. Warren in WY, then 2 yrs as an airborn commander in the alternate launch capability system. We had two entire wings to consider (300 - 450 missles). Now that is sobering.
Disregard the second question. The news anchor just said each launch control facility manages 10 missiles. Wow! What's that, 240 warheads? Must have been a bit heady, knowing you had the ability to launch more firepower with the turn of a key than had been used in the entire history of warfare. Obviously the President had a SIOP option that allowed him to use one or two missiles to carry out a strategic objective. What was the procedure for launching a couple while disabling the rest?
@CrewDog1976 I kinda figured that. Thanks for the response in any case. The concept of mirv'ed missiles does have one downside in my estimation. The destruction of one silo results in the loss of multiple warheads. In a sense, having single warhead missiles, though much more costly, is a strategic improvement over mirvs. Taking that into consideration, I can reasonably conclude without further data that these missiles were linked to multiple launch control facilities, perhaps even Cheyenne.
@geoffck6969 (cont'd) Cheyenne, SAC HQ, Looking Glass and NEACP. Btw, you fellows conduct yourselves with exceptional professionalism in the vid. It's comforting to know that these facilities are in the hands of such competent people.
Hoping one of you people who work in a launch control facility can answer a question for me. In the event the launch control facility was knocked out in a counterforce first strike by the Sovs but some of the missiles under the facilities control were undamaged, could another launch control facility launch those missiles? Probably would be helpful to know how many missiles each launch control facility were responsible for. Thanks.
If you watch other videos on here, you'll notice a difference in the equipment in the LCC's here vs other bases. Western Electric was a main contractor along with Boeing at all the rest of the bases for the LFs and LCCs, but Grand Forks sites were a collaboration between Boeing and Sylvania. Everything basically works the same, but there are significant differences. It was all covered in my ICBM training, but specifics are hard to remember. That was nearly 20 yrs ago.
These were Sylvania capsules with no real input from Boeing and are nicknamed the "Deuce" system. Even though they were almost three times the size of the Boeing capsules they were more hardened. The Odd Squad at Malmstrom was also the Deuce system.
Deuce! Cable/Radio, Master/Slave. The Cadillac of weapon systems!
I guess by 'collaboration', I meant the whole system, missile and all. I remember the LFs being slightly different as well - the PAH door in particular. I'd forgotten all about the Odd Squad at Malmstrom. I tell ya, everything comes around full circle... after I got out of the AF and left Minot, I worked for Lucent Technologies, which was the former Western Electric, and I now work for Siemens, which owns Osram/Sylvania...
I was on a Titan II launch crew for a little over 3 years at McConnell AFB in Wichita. Pulled most of my alerts at 532-4 and 532-5. This was very exciting duty in the early to mid 70's.
Hey Doug! A friend from HQ AFSPC sent me the link to this. Thanks for posting it. Its been years since I've seen it, but it brings back a lot of good memories.
You guys ever been out to the Titan II Missile Museum out here in Arizona? I've taken the tour about 5 times or so. Pretty cool to see the Titan system with the Minuteman perspective. The size difference is sobering.
@veedub87 Yes, I've been there. I'm from Alabama, but I passed through there on my way to Mexico when I was fresh out of college. I've been interested in the nuclear issue ever since my siblings let me watch "The Day After" with them when I was only five years-old. Scared the CRAP outta me all my childhood and still does!
@hrdknox2000 Ha ha. The Day After was good stuff. I found it on dvd not too long ago and had to buy it. It's funny that 10 yrs after seeing the movie, I'd be working with Minuteman ICBMs up in Minot, ND, and that many of my buddies were stationed at Whiteman AFB doing the same thing. Whiteman was mentioned specifically in TDA, and much of the missile footage was shot there.
@veedub87 Yeah, I have TWO copies on DVD and two VHS copies. One of the VHS copies was legitimately bought and the other I ripped from the Blockbuster Video store's copy. I liked that one better, as it was the one I remembered as a kid. The DVD version that's out now is different from the original TV version. Some scenes were added and taken away in the newer release. That's cool that you were up there working with nukes! As for me, I still wanna build a fallout shelter!
"we don't ever want to have to launch these missles... if things get that far, we've failed." That's the attitude everyone who has control of nuclear weapons must have.
i've always wondered this: if the order comes to launch your partner refuses to launch or stops in the process, do you have to shoot him? sounds kind of silly but i saw this in the film WarGames
crazygood150 1 month ago
@crazygood150 No, you do not shoot your crew partner if he refuses to turn keys. War Games was really bad and the representation of the crew dogs at the beginning, talking about dope and such, was a Hollywood slam on all the good people protecting our Country out in the ICBM field.
We carried the sidearms to protect the documents in the Launch Control Center.
CrewDog1976 1 month ago
Wow...what memories. I was assigned to the 321st MSS, 73-77. Worked mostly in the 447th, Hotel and Fox Flight areas. Then wound up in Wing Security Control (WSC) for a couple years. Even though I was there long before this particular video was made, not much had changed regarding outside appearances.
wtailhunter1 2 months ago
News FAIL...Where is ALTHA-01? It's called ALPHA-01...
TiBossII 7 months ago
I said LUNCH not LAUNCH!!! Ooops too late....lol
dutchgoing 7 months ago
Did you know that they turned Oscar Zero into a state park and now open to the public? After my alert duty was over, I was assigned to DO9 as a code controller/instructor.
Ambystoma52 8 months ago
I remember going to A-0. I was a 448th guy, M-0, but on rare occasion had to go. Nice to see a friendly face. I was there 82-87
majorjtp 8 months ago
It's nice to see that A-0 got some well deserved publicity. I spent most of my alerts at A-0 from 1978 to 1982. I remember that nobody wanted to go there for any reason :)
Nice video!
Ambystoma52 8 months ago
@Ambystoma52 : I was a 446th SMS guy as well at the same time; I was also assigned to ALPHA from 10/79 to about 4/80
john1082 3 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
geoffck6969 question: we could tell you the procedure, but then we would have to ...
Yes, it is very sobering sitting in the command chair and looking at a row of lights knowing that there are live missles on the other end. I did 2 years at F.E. Warren in WY, then 2 yrs as an airborn commander in the alternate launch capability system. We had two entire wings to consider (300 - 450 missles). Now that is sobering.
Skybird436 10 months ago
I was a security cop at GFAFB from '84-'87. Never thought I'd say I miss north dakota and especially Grand Forks. I hope to go back one day.
JoeGriego1 11 months ago
Disregard the second question. The news anchor just said each launch control facility manages 10 missiles. Wow! What's that, 240 warheads? Must have been a bit heady, knowing you had the ability to launch more firepower with the turn of a key than had been used in the entire history of warfare. Obviously the President had a SIOP option that allowed him to use one or two missiles to carry out a strategic objective. What was the procedure for launching a couple while disabling the rest?
geoffck6969 11 months ago
@geoffck6969 Sorry, but your question involves OPSEC and thus I can't answer.
CrewDog1976 11 months ago 3
@CrewDog1976 I kinda figured that. Thanks for the response in any case. The concept of mirv'ed missiles does have one downside in my estimation. The destruction of one silo results in the loss of multiple warheads. In a sense, having single warhead missiles, though much more costly, is a strategic improvement over mirvs. Taking that into consideration, I can reasonably conclude without further data that these missiles were linked to multiple launch control facilities, perhaps even Cheyenne.
geoffck6969 11 months ago
@geoffck6969 (cont'd) Cheyenne, SAC HQ, Looking Glass and NEACP. Btw, you fellows conduct yourselves with exceptional professionalism in the vid. It's comforting to know that these facilities are in the hands of such competent people.
geoffck6969 11 months ago
Hoping one of you people who work in a launch control facility can answer a question for me. In the event the launch control facility was knocked out in a counterforce first strike by the Sovs but some of the missiles under the facilities control were undamaged, could another launch control facility launch those missiles? Probably would be helpful to know how many missiles each launch control facility were responsible for. Thanks.
geoffck6969 11 months ago
Good job, Doug! I'm glad to see my Quiet Excellence encouragement was still up at good old A-0!
DrBobaliscious AKA (the real) PASMAN
DrBobaliscious 2 years ago
To: CrewDog1976
Is that you Doug?
I cannot recall ever seeing this video. It is awesome. I spent 14 years at the 321st and 446th, so it really brings it all back.
Oscar Zero is now a museum dedicated to the Minuteman Missile System. 4 Mile N. of Cooperstown, ND. Come on out and see it.
Warren Tobin
321conehead 2 years ago
I was a SP at FE Warren, Missile Bases are unique. It was a great experience. I miss SAC, (USAF 1983-2003). Go Air Force!
CNS2 2 years ago
If you watch other videos on here, you'll notice a difference in the equipment in the LCC's here vs other bases. Western Electric was a main contractor along with Boeing at all the rest of the bases for the LFs and LCCs, but Grand Forks sites were a collaboration between Boeing and Sylvania. Everything basically works the same, but there are significant differences. It was all covered in my ICBM training, but specifics are hard to remember. That was nearly 20 yrs ago.
veedub87 2 years ago
These were Sylvania capsules with no real input from Boeing and are nicknamed the "Deuce" system. Even though they were almost three times the size of the Boeing capsules they were more hardened. The Odd Squad at Malmstrom was also the Deuce system.
Deuce! Cable/Radio, Master/Slave. The Cadillac of weapon systems!
CrewDog1976 2 years ago
I guess by 'collaboration', I meant the whole system, missile and all. I remember the LFs being slightly different as well - the PAH door in particular. I'd forgotten all about the Odd Squad at Malmstrom. I tell ya, everything comes around full circle... after I got out of the AF and left Minot, I worked for Lucent Technologies, which was the former Western Electric, and I now work for Siemens, which owns Osram/Sylvania...
Thanks for the Deuce info for us CDB/REACT guys.
veedub87 2 years ago
@veedub87 tthey are yet more different now but the MAFs look pretty much the same
gardywy 2 years ago
DEUCE!!
ZenRanger94 2 years ago
I was on a Titan II launch crew for a little over 3 years at McConnell AFB in Wichita. Pulled most of my alerts at 532-4 and 532-5. This was very exciting duty in the early to mid 70's.
Bbendfender 2 years ago
Hey Doug! A friend from HQ AFSPC sent me the link to this. Thanks for posting it. Its been years since I've seen it, but it brings back a lot of good memories.
Deputy Dog
trivownr 2 years ago
That Deuce capsule is nice but it doesn't have ANYTHING on the Titan II LCC. Once a plumber, always a plumber Doug.
njh621 2 years ago
You got that right! Three levels, a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower!
That was comfort but we still got quite antsy when we had to spend over three days out there in the Titan capsule for Global Shield.
CrewDog1976 2 years ago
You guys ever been out to the Titan II Missile Museum out here in Arizona? I've taken the tour about 5 times or so. Pretty cool to see the Titan system with the Minuteman perspective. The size difference is sobering.
veedub87 2 years ago
I have not been to the Museum yet. Before I earned my Commission I was a Titan II BMAT stationed at McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS.
CrewDog1976 2 years ago
@veedub87 Yes, I've been there. I'm from Alabama, but I passed through there on my way to Mexico when I was fresh out of college. I've been interested in the nuclear issue ever since my siblings let me watch "The Day After" with them when I was only five years-old. Scared the CRAP outta me all my childhood and still does!
hrdknox2000 1 year ago
@hrdknox2000 Ha ha. The Day After was good stuff. I found it on dvd not too long ago and had to buy it. It's funny that 10 yrs after seeing the movie, I'd be working with Minuteman ICBMs up in Minot, ND, and that many of my buddies were stationed at Whiteman AFB doing the same thing. Whiteman was mentioned specifically in TDA, and much of the missile footage was shot there.
veedub87 1 year ago
@veedub87 Yeah, I have TWO copies on DVD and two VHS copies. One of the VHS copies was legitimately bought and the other I ripped from the Blockbuster Video store's copy. I liked that one better, as it was the one I remembered as a kid. The DVD version that's out now is different from the original TV version. Some scenes were added and taken away in the newer release. That's cool that you were up there working with nukes! As for me, I still wanna build a fallout shelter!
hrdknox2000 1 year ago
I AM an actual missileer. Thanks!
nach0s 3 years ago
TOP NOTCH!
Thank you for your service.
I was either on Combat Crew or involved in Missile Maintenance from 1976 to 1992 then went on to HQ stuff.
CrewDog1976 3 years ago
"we don't ever want to have to launch these missles... if things get that far, we've failed." That's the attitude everyone who has control of nuclear weapons must have.
nach0s 3 years ago
That is the attitude we have now, and have always had. If you have ever been around actual missileers you would know.
CrewDog1976 3 years ago
Yeah, the cold war is over. It'll go hot when you least expect - but soon.
DeepRainforest 3 years ago
The problem is that you are probably correct.
The amateurs in office now have no idea that most of the world is not playing games and do not want to be our friends.
CrewDog1976 3 years ago