The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is an American national historic site established in 1999 near Wall, South Dakota, to illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the nuclear arms race, and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development. The site preserves the last intact Minuteman II ICBM system in the United States, in a disarmed and demilitarized status. Guided tours are available of the underground Launch Control Center, and a missile silo can be observed from above. Some 450 of the newer Minuteman III missiles are still on active duty at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

Facilities

This national historic site consists of three facilities: a visitor center and two significant Cold War-era sites; a launch control center; and a missile silo/launch facility, formerly operated by the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing, headquartered at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, near Rapid City. The facilities represent the only remaining intact components of a nuclear missile field that once consisted of 150 Minuteman II missiles, 15 launch-control centers, and covered over of southwestern South Dakota.

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File:Minuteman Missile National Historic Site silo.jpg|D-9 silo

File:Minuteman Missile National Historic Site silo map.jpg|D-9 silo map

File:Minuteman_Missile_Launch_Facility_Site_Plan.jpeg|D-9 Axonometric Site Plan

File:Minuteman Missile National Historic Site map.jpg|44th Strategic Missile Wing squadron silo locations

File:Minuteman Missile National Historic Site marker.jpg|Quote by Sun Tzu

File:Minuteman Missile National Historic Site silo warning sign.jpg|Warning sign

File:Delta-01 entrance.jpg|Entry gate to the Delta-01 launch control facility

File:Control Room -commanders station PA110362 f.jpg|Control Room for Delta Flight Launch facility

File:D-1 command module PA110359.JPG|Interior of the command module for Delta Flight

File:Blast door PA110374.jpg|Blast door

File:Minuteman silo blast door, front.jpg|Blast door, front

File:Minuteman silo blast door, side.jpg|Blast door, edge view

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See also

  • List of museums in South Dakota
  • Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site
  • Titan Missile Museum
  • Quebec-One Missile Alert Facility
  • Strategic Air and Space Museum – Museum collection includes Minuteman II, Minuteman III, and Titan II re-entry vehicle shrouds and launch control systems on display.
  • Strategic missile forces museum in Ukraine – Similar museum in the former Soviet Union
  • Plokštinė missile base site of the Cold War Museum

References

  • National Park Service, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: Protecting a Legacy of the Cold War , a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan
  • Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
  • , the Delta launch control center
  • , the Delta-Nine silo