44th Missile Wing LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Launch Sites: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The deployment of the LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM with the 44th Strategic Missile Wing began in 1961 with the initiation of construction of 150 silos and associated launch control facilities. Activation of the 44th SMW on 1 January 1962, marked the initiation of SAC's first [[LGM-30B Minuteman I]] wing. The assignment of the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron on 1 September 1marked the beginning of SAC's first Minuteman IB squadron. During 1962 the 67th and 68th SMS stood up. In April 1963, the first missile was emplaced into a prepared silo. Two months later, SAC accepted the first flight of 10 Minuteman IB ICBMs and in July, some of these missiles were placed on alert status. |
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Approved by the Secretary of Defense in November 1964, "Project Long Life" called for the short-range operational base launch of three modified Minuteman IB ICBMs to provide a realistic test for this system. Each missile would contain enough propellant for a 7-second flight and have inert upper stages and reentry vehicles. The first launch occurred on March 1, 1965, and successfully demonstrated the ability of a SAC missile crew to launch an ICBM. It is the only launch of an ICBM from an operational silo. |
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Between October 1971 and March 1973 the Minuteman IBs were replaced by [[LGM-30F Minuteman II]] missiles. President Bush's order of September 28, 1991 to remove Minuteman II missiles from alert status profoundly affected the 44th MW. To comply with the pending [[START I]] treaty, the Air Force immediately began removing missiles from their silos. The 67th MS inactivated in August 1992, with the 66th in 1993 and 68th lastly on 5 July 1994. Destruction of silos and alert facilities finished in 1996 when Kilo-06, was imploded on 13 September 1996. |
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Delta-01 and Delta-09 were left intact and are now the [[Minuteman Missile National Historic Site]] under the control of the [[National Parks Service]] |
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==Facilities== |
==Facilities== |
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This is a list of the LGM-30 Minuteman missile Missile Alert Facilities and Launch Facilities of the 44th Missile Wing, 20th Air Force, assigned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.
Overview
The deployment of the LGM-30 Minuteman ICBM with the 44th Strategic Missile Wing began in 1961 with the initiation of construction of 150 silos and associated launch control facilities. Activation of the 44th SMW on 1 January 1962, marked the initiation of SAC's first LGM-30B Minuteman I wing. The assignment of the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron on 1 September 1marked the beginning of SAC's first Minuteman IB squadron. During 1962 the 67th and 68th SMS stood up. In April 1963, the first missile was emplaced into a prepared silo. Two months later, SAC accepted the first flight of 10 Minuteman IB ICBMs and in July, some of these missiles were placed on alert status.
Approved by the Secretary of Defense in November 1964, "Project Long Life" called for the short-range operational base launch of three modified Minuteman IB ICBMs to provide a realistic test for this system. Each missile would contain enough propellant for a 7-second flight and have inert upper stages and reentry vehicles. The first launch occurred on March 1, 1965, and successfully demonstrated the ability of a SAC missile crew to launch an ICBM. It is the only launch of an ICBM from an operational silo.
Between October 1971 and March 1973 the Minuteman IBs were replaced by LGM-30F Minuteman II missiles. President Bush's order of September 28, 1991 to remove Minuteman II missiles from alert status profoundly affected the 44th MW. To comply with the pending START I treaty, the Air Force immediately began removing missiles from their silos. The 67th MS inactivated in August 1992, with the 66th in 1993 and 68th lastly on 5 July 1994. Destruction of silos and alert facilities finished in 1996 when Kilo-06, was imploded on 13 September 1996.
Delta-01 and Delta-09 were left intact and are now the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site under the control of the National Parks Service
Facilities
44°08′42″N 103°06′13″W / 44.14500°N 103.10361°W
The Missile Alert Facility (MAF) consists of a buried and hardened Launch Control Facility (LCC) and an above-ground Launch Control Support Building (LCSB). MAFs were formerly known as Launch Control Facilities (LCFs) but terminology was changed in 1992 with the inactivation of Strategic Air Command (SAC). In addition, a MAF has a landing pad for helicopters; a large radio tower; a large "top hat" HF antenna; a vehicle garage for security vehicles; recreational facilities, and one or two sewage lagoons. The entire site, except for the helicopter pad and sewage lagoons are secured with a fence and security personnel. About a dozen airmen and officers are assigned to a MAF.
The underground LCC Launch Control Center (LCC) contains the command and control equipment for missile operations. It is staffed by the two launch officers who have primary control and responsibility for the 10 underground and hardened Launch Facilities (LF)s within its flight which contains the operational missile. Each of the five LCCs also has the ability to command and monitor all 50 LFs within the squadron. The LF is unmanned, except when maintenance and security personnel are needed.
A squadron is composed of five flights; flights are denoted by a letter of the alphabet with the facilities controlled by the flight being designated by a number, 01 through 11, with 01 being the MAF.
66th Missile Squadron
Activated by Strategic Air Command on 19 March 1962. Organized on 1 September 1962. Inactivated on 1 September 1993.
67th Missile Squadron
Activated by Strategic Air Command on 19 March 1962. Organized on 1 September 1962. Inactivated on 15 August 1992.
68th Missile Squadron
Activated by Strategic Air Command on 19 March 1962. Organized on 1 September 1962. Inactivated on 5 July 1994.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
