Ranger walking towards missile silo located under a modest glass cover
Implemented during the height of the Cold War in the 1960’s, the first generation of Minuteman Missiles were a way to ensure mutually assured destruction should the Soviet Union ever decide to preempt a nuclear strike against America. The US ensured that hundreds of these nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles were distributed all across air force bases in the midwest to form the backbone of the country’s nuclear triad along with strategic bombers (like the B1 Lancer) and submarine launched ballistic missiles.
Visitor’s information center
This Minuteman Missile National Historical Site located in South Dakota consists of a visitor’s information centre and two silos, one of which can be visited upon booking a tour several months in advance. Tourists beware, it is only available to American citizens. Foreigners can admire a relocated missile control centre in the South Dakota Air and Space Museum on Ellsworth Air Force Base just an hour away from the missile site. No base pass is required and entry is free.
Missile control center
The National Parks Service’s “ask a ranger” program is available at specified times on the missile silo sites and families can bring eager children to learn more about the weapons of the Cold War. If you’d ask me, it sure beats seeing some actor talking about it in a Hollywood film! The ranger told us that the missiles could be reused but took months to restore to perfect working condition. It really doesn’t matter to be because once the missiles are launched, there’ll be no humanity left to reuse them on. Peace.
