History:
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was established in 1999 to illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the arms race, and intercontinental ballistic missile development. This National Historic Site preserves the last remaining Minuteman II ICBM system in the United States. ("Minuteman Missile National Historic Site." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.)
Many weapon silos were created and placed all throughout the Great Plains in preparation for the worst in the cold war. For over thirty years, more than 1,000 missiles were hidden in plain sight, and constantly ready to be launched. The Minuteman Missile will forever be a huge icon in the American arsenal. It holds the power necessary to level civilization, but it is meant as a deterrent to uphold peace.
Facilities:
This Site contains a few facilities: a welcome center, center for the launches, and the actual missile silo. These facilities are the last remaining components of the nuclear missile array. There was a time when the array held 150 minutemen II missiles covering over 13,500 square miles.
The silo, known as launch facility Delta Nine (D-09), was constructed in 1963. It occupies 1.6 acres, nearly one-half mile. It consists of an underground launch tube 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep, made of reinforced concrete with a steel-plate liner. An unarmed missile is on display inside. The launch tube's 90-ton cover has been rolled partly away and welded to the rails it rides on. The launch tube was then covered with a glass viewing enclosure. Not only does this permit visitors to see the missile, it means Russian satellites can verify that the site is not operational, and hence in compliance with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. ("Minuteman Missile National Historic Site." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.)
Unfortunately tours underground are not allowed due to safety reasons. The only way underground is by taking a 30-foot ladder down.
The launch control facility, known as Delta One (D-01), contains a small building with offices, sleeping quarters, and kitchens. Below this is the actual launch center for the missiles. Tours are permitted here, but are limited to smaller groups because of small walkways and it being a half hour tour.
Transition to Modern Day:
The missiles were placed so widely spread so that no matter the size of the soviet attack, enough missiles would make it to counter attack. The complex remained on alert for 30 plus years until the wing was deactivated following the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. Under the terms of the treaty, the missiles in this complex were removed from their silos, and in 1994 the 44th Missile Wing was deactivated. Almost all the sites have now been destroyed. The last remaining silos are now on display for people to remember the history of our military.
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was established in 1999 to illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the arms race, and intercontinental ballistic missile development. This National Historic Site preserves the last remaining Minuteman II ICBM system in the United States. ("Minuteman Missile National Historic Site." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.)
Many weapon silos were created and placed all throughout the Great Plains in preparation for the worst in the cold war. For over thirty years, more than 1,000 missiles were hidden in plain sight, and constantly ready to be launched. The Minuteman Missile will forever be a huge icon in the American arsenal. It holds the power necessary to level civilization, but it is meant as a deterrent to uphold peace.
Facilities:
This Site contains a few facilities: a welcome center, center for the launches, and the actual missile silo. These facilities are the last remaining components of the nuclear missile array. There was a time when the array held 150 minutemen II missiles covering over 13,500 square miles.
The silo, known as launch facility Delta Nine (D-09), was constructed in 1963. It occupies 1.6 acres, nearly one-half mile. It consists of an underground launch tube 12 feet in diameter and 80 feet deep, made of reinforced concrete with a steel-plate liner. An unarmed missile is on display inside. The launch tube's 90-ton cover has been rolled partly away and welded to the rails it rides on. The launch tube was then covered with a glass viewing enclosure. Not only does this permit visitors to see the missile, it means Russian satellites can verify that the site is not operational, and hence in compliance with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. ("Minuteman Missile National Historic Site." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.)
Unfortunately tours underground are not allowed due to safety reasons. The only way underground is by taking a 30-foot ladder down.
The launch control facility, known as Delta One (D-01), contains a small building with offices, sleeping quarters, and kitchens. Below this is the actual launch center for the missiles. Tours are permitted here, but are limited to smaller groups because of small walkways and it being a half hour tour.
Transition to Modern Day:
The missiles were placed so widely spread so that no matter the size of the soviet attack, enough missiles would make it to counter attack. The complex remained on alert for 30 plus years until the wing was deactivated following the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. Under the terms of the treaty, the missiles in this complex were removed from their silos, and in 1994 the 44th Missile Wing was deactivated. Almost all the sites have now been destroyed. The last remaining silos are now on display for people to remember the history of our military.