I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB from 90 to 92, during that time they started decommission the 44th MW.
@TheJoefussGarageАй бұрын
1st of all, I to would like to thank you, deeply for your service... I found this segment fascinating, to get the inside scoop on the nuts and bolts, of how to maintain our Nuclear deterrent apparatus. What a colossual undertaking it must be, to bear the weight of the 🌎 world so to speak, ensuring we are ready to launch, and also being ever vigilant not to allow an "inadvertent" incident to rewrite human history in a poorer light . Thanks so much for sharing this... God bless ..
@johnlott61652 ай бұрын
I was an EMT TEAM member at Malmstrom AFB 1976-1978. I have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer & Kidney Cancer
@michaelanderson30962 ай бұрын
How much do you get Paid yearly doing this type of work ???
@djorges2 ай бұрын
About $625 a month - we could eat for free in the chow hall - live in the dorm for free - things were cheaper in 1983
@michaelanderson30962 ай бұрын
@@djorges Interesting technology - Harnessing the power of stars ✨. Nuclear technology should only be used for space travel through the solar system.
@TheLucanicLord2 ай бұрын
North American Defense Strategic Air Command. 3:40 The missiles are buried underground, but they're controlled from a shack? Wouldn't that be easy to knock out?
@JCMills552 ай бұрын
I was a 316x0 working in the FMT shop at Ellsworth, 74 - 77. The job was tough, especially in winter but it was the most important job I have ever had. I am proud that I was trusted to do it.
@djorges2 ай бұрын
I feel the same way!!
@Pilotman282 ай бұрын
good vid!
@djorges2 ай бұрын
Thanks
@waterlife.19052 ай бұрын
This makes me so sad, knowing we have this technical capability and a near perfect approach to maintenance and services at any cost, yet we have homeless and hungry citizens and veterans who need help. I wish our country cared as much about that as being a superpower. We could be an ultrapower by eliminating homelessness and suffering within our own land. It disgusts me to see our money go overseas for their wars. Are we not so advanced now that we have artificial intelligence? Where is the solution to end poverty and homelessness, hunger, killing?
@user-ur3ke4ts3x2 ай бұрын
You have a casino in your house. LOL
@djorges2 ай бұрын
Pretty much - I have a blackjack table roulette and craps - my friends and I have great casino night parties - there are other videos on my channel on playing and building these tables
@theociba37622 ай бұрын
I enjoyed both parts one and two. Very informative story with clear pictures and superhero music. Always wondered how these systems were maintained. Excellent!
@djorges2 ай бұрын
I’m glad you liked them
@Tamburello_19943 ай бұрын
Was an FSC/ART Team member for the 342nd MSS working primarily out of the GOLF (12th SMS) and TANGO (564th SMS) flight areas back in the mid to late 1980's. I loved my Montana experience, and have been back often since back in the day. Odd. I never worked FOXTROT or PAPA in all my time on the westside. I never saw the eastside (10th, and 490th SMS) at any time. The prairie dogs got so bad at GOLF, they actually issued us (the site) a pellet rifle. We had a great competition -- The FM got in on the act by keeping score. Between that, and hanging out in capsule with two of the coolest combat crews I ever had the pleasure of serving with will be enduring memories forever.
@djorges2 ай бұрын
Every once in a while a farmer would snag the fence with a tractor and tear it open and cows would wonder on to the site. I never saw many other critters
@ItsDburch3 ай бұрын
I was Security Forces stationed at Malmstrom 2007 - 2012. 341st MSF Sqd. It was not a nice experience, but was unique. Interesting to see things from the maintainers side
@djorges3 ай бұрын
Winters were cold - topside had to be rough on the cold days.
@just_one_opinion3 ай бұрын
losers
@WalterSavinovich3 ай бұрын
I wss a CTT team member from 74-78 in WAFB, MO. Then a site chief from 78-79 at FEWAFB, WY. Your video brought back some memories!
@rael54693 ай бұрын
Was it a "TOP SECRET" clearance or a "SECRET" clearance? I was in the Air Force during that period and bomber Crew Chiefs had a SECRET clearance, but not a Top Secret clearance. We took possession of nuclear weapons until the flight crew got onboard and then we would sign them over to the Aircraft Commander. The flight crew got Top Secret clearances because they had targeting information.
@djorges3 ай бұрын
Top Secret - at least for my career field - perhaps because I carried launch codes and targeting information as well as installing encryption/decryption hardware
@rael54693 ай бұрын
@@djorges I see what you mean. Yeah, launch codes would be Top Secret. Targets too.
@Morinehtur3 ай бұрын
Used to ride dirt bikes out to the old abandoned NIKE Missle sites in Glastonbury, CT. This was back in the mid 80's nothing really to see but a group of concrete slabs and something that looked like an old bulkhead structure filled with cement. Maybe for below ground generator or controls? The only active use of the area was a fenced in air traffic direction beacon on a hilltop. We must have gotten too close one day and tripped a perimeter sensor. Our second mistake was taking a break from riding long enough for the forest officer responce vehicle to arrive (I forget what their official name was). Being kids, we started our bikes and bugged out into the woods. Thanks for the video.
@JCMills553 ай бұрын
There was no authentication number for us maintenance guys when I was working Minuteman sites at Ellsworth AFB in the mid 70's. They must have started that later. I was an FMT team chief.
@triroo1073 ай бұрын
Simpson-260… OMG I feel so old"…. Always worked …. 💪👍🙏🫡
@spaghetti98453 ай бұрын
after watching this entire video I am further convinced that pineapple belongs on pizza.
@phil20_203 ай бұрын
Which Minuteman looks like it has an MX-10 nosecone? Is that the III? Now I'm feeling like an ignoramus because I totally forgot about that.
@slovokia3 ай бұрын
Who replenished the tritium in the warheads?
@xandervk237117 күн бұрын
Robert.
@jonnymoka3 ай бұрын
Every time I double tap the dislike button it always stays blank. What’s the deal?
@joela.40583 ай бұрын
Great vid! Thanks
@travisgoff993 ай бұрын
I lived 15 miles from 1 of this silos near Cheyenne, Wyoming
@SocialistDistancing3 ай бұрын
A few years ago, was passing by a mussike site in North Dakota. They have numerous armored vehicles on eirher side of the site entrance. Those armored vehicles have crew zerved weapons on them. Also, numerous humvees. It was interesting and a bit unnerving at the sametime. Not a place or time that you wsnt to stop and ask questions. Up the raod, at small town with a convenience stop, there was another column of humvees and support vehicles , with a different maintenance team. We went inside , and many of the team were inside, getting coffee or whatever. They were all very polite and respectful. My respects to all of them.
@tps643 ай бұрын
what is this
@davidicousgregorian3 ай бұрын
It's called poker bro
@davidicousgregorian3 ай бұрын
The real question is where is this fake board at this is not real and the way they throw is illegal this guy is stupid and so is this video
@ESaboHowGravityWorks3 ай бұрын
$100 in last time I played craps, I put $5 on the field. 7... $10 on the field - 7. 20 on the field-7 40 on the field -7. Last 25 on the field-7. I watched the next roll-7. The guy rolled 6 7's in a row.... I walked away.
@djorges3 ай бұрын
Awe that’s rough - maybe playing the Don’t was the right choice - easy to see that in hind sight.
@ourlifeinwyoming46543 ай бұрын
Great video. I'm retired active duty and retired civil service. Most of my time was in Minuteman. Malmstrom 84' - 88', 96' - 04', F. E. Warren 04' - 21'. I was FMT (facilities maintenance team). Also, prior to cross training, I was comm. - worked on the HICS. The cinnamon rolls at the By-Way Cafe were legendary. We all had our 3x5 card and I think once you bought four you got on free. One cinnamon roll would hold me till' well after lunch.
@djorges3 ай бұрын
Thanks - since I always went north west to the Minuteman III sites we stopped in Dutton for cinnamon rolls - referred to as Dutton - 0. In the mornings it was a bunch of blue trucks in that parking lot.
@ourlifeinwyoming46543 ай бұрын
I miss the food out there! I was a facility manager in the 564th for a couple years and loved stopping at Dutton.@@djorges
@derekkuhl3 ай бұрын
Fun video but the music is annoying.
@alvieteal49803 ай бұрын
A question I can’t seem to find an answer to is does the missile silo have flame tunnels to release flames from the thrusters of the missile?
@djorges3 ай бұрын
No it does not - the flames shoot straight up the silo - it will actually blow a giant smoke ring as it launches
@jamesbarnard97104 ай бұрын
Tango 50...up in the 564th squadron, North of Great Falls. That squadron was originally Minuteman II, and the system was like Wing VI at Grand Forks. Which meant the equipment and personnel were unique...not like the other 150 LF's and 15 LCF's at Malmstrom. Let me tell you how maintenance was in the "Old Wing"! I was a Targeting team chief on Minuteman I, from 1965 to '69! We aligned the missile guidance system, and associated equipment using Swiss-made optical theodolites. (We were told at missile school that the Russians used parts on the bottom!) We had a targeting console contained in a large box on the back of a 5-ton, six passenger truck, with which we programmed using mylar tapes, the signals sent down to the programmer in the upper equipment room, through a large cable. Guards? Yes, we had them with us on each dispatch. They were armed with M-2 Carbines and one magazine with 10 rounds of ball ammo! Never saw an AR-15 or an M-16. They were pipelined to 'Nam! Want to know more? I wrote a book called, "And the Truck You Rode In On!"
@Tamburello_19943 ай бұрын
I've been at T-50. . . I was running a SIT-7 one night -- at T-50 -- and part of the check was to take the ladder down in the support building as us good cops do. The lower I went down that ladder, the stronger the stench of diesel fuel became. I remember walking into the main section that is shock suspended and finding nothing, but the odor was almost overpowering at this point. Looking under the suspended floor is when I discovered the source. Instead of seeing space -- I saw a blueish liquid.... Almost to the bottom of the floor. What had happened was the fuel tank for the auxiliary generator had somehow developed a leak, and the contents settled in the suspended space that made up the support building. Of course, I unassed the area as quickly as I could secure it, reporting my finding to my leader as I went. I was actually ordered back in to verify what I saw. That went all the way to Offutt as they had to take the site off active alert -- take it offline completely to the point we had to pull on-site security because of no power to the banjos and such. That was a long night. I got some atta-boys and accolades at next guard-mount, so that was cool in the end.
@MK-tx3wi4 ай бұрын
Nos dias atuais, criançinhas de Hollywood, é sarmat 2, para carbonizar vosso prazer nacionalista!!!!!!.
@MyVideosDon4 ай бұрын
This brings back a lot of memories. I was at A5 the one in the foothills near Monarch. my first job out of tech school in Minnesota. A5 was part of the first missile site to be built. It was a Minuteman 1. One day back in 1962 the missile was in the hole without the warhead when we got a call for all Boeing personnel to leave the site. On the way back to Great Falls we saw the truck which carries the warhead go out. It was the start of the Cuban missile crisis. Note the support building was not built yet at this site. I know all about the access procedures and the forever slow Plug. Do you remember the Polaris tube? The rest of my time at Bowing was going from site to site with another crew doing the same and run tests and balancing the line between missile lunch siloes. all over the three bases Malmstrom, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Ellsworth AFB South Dakota. just about every missile site some before the Air Force takes over and some after. without the Security Forces with us. We were given the codes to open the hatches and then to codes to lock up after we left. I'm now 82
@pdmce74074 ай бұрын
I was at Ellsworth AFB at about the same time you were at Malmstrom. I liked both your videos. I was on the Operations side as an MCCC. I'd like to ask you some questions about the maintenance side of things and also the MM II and MM III mix. If you'd care to converse a bit, let me know, and I'll give you an email address.
@MyVideosDon4 ай бұрын
This brings back a lot of memories. Back in 1962 I was working for Boeing on the Minuteman missile A5 the first Missile to go one line. It happen during the Cuban Missile Crisis. That was a close call. We where working on site with the missile in place without the war head on, when we got a call to get off now. On the way back to Great Falls we saw the truck which carries the war head go out. The rest of my time our crew went to just about every site, balancing the lines that go between missile silos. Sites before and after the Air Force took control of the group. In Montana, South Dakota, and Minot North Dakota. I’m now 82. I know all about the combination lock’s and the big clam shill cover and the big plug in the hole which took for ever to go down. And don’t forget the Polaris tube if you know what I mean?
@n1vg4 ай бұрын
Fascinating stuff. I enlisted in 1996 and my job would have been electronics maintenance on those missiles, if I hadn't gotten a medical discharge. I worked at Vandenberg for 9 years as a contractor so I've seen plenty of facilities and launches, but never really knew exactly what my job would have looked like if I'd stayed in. Thanks for posting this. Maybe skip the background music next time?
@Drew_Tries5 ай бұрын
I went all the way through tech school at vadenburg and completed the entire school for missle maintenance technician, and the last day of class I got called into the Cpts office and got told I wasn't graduating, and I was in fact getting discharged for fraudulent enlistment. I had a weed charge that got dismissed when I was 17 ,and my recruiter told me just don't put it on my paperwork that I've been arrested. I didn't end up getting discharged because when I was waiting on my discharge papers 9/11 happened and I ended up getting reclassified to a medical administration job. Lol sucked , but I wished now it would hade all worked out with the missile job . I was proud of myself for once in my life for finishing that school
@steve-ey3rx5 ай бұрын
Hey! Were Hank Habenick, Bobby Watts, and Joe Shafffers still there? And that doe-eyed beauty at Dutton-0 ?
@billkrause45855 ай бұрын
I'm a 75 yo now, but I do remember my 8 years in the Air Force, the best years of my life. It was between 1967 - 1975 since I last carried code pages to penetrated these Launch Facilities as a Team Chief. I actually had a great team of five technicians with different job specialties, a couple corrosion control guys, and a security guard. On the missile site we did work in the support building and I opened the security pity with the coordination with the Launch Capsule Crew to penetrated the B-Plug telescoping ladder down to the first level of the equipment floor, then coordinating again with the Capsule Crew we "failed safe" the missile for us to safely perform maintenance on both equipment levels. I was very honored to serve my country. The USAF gave me a good foundation to move into a 37 year career with Air Products and Chemicals Inc, into my present retirement. I think I had a great run working for two great organizations in my lifetime.
@SocialistDistancing3 ай бұрын
It just occurred to me what the B in B plug stands for. Lmao😂
@iitzfizz5 ай бұрын
Very interesting, Thanks!
@Ye4rZero5 ай бұрын
Really interesting to learn about the procedures and life on the ground, much better than the usual docos
@dougkyle6856 ай бұрын
I maybe a civi but I grew up in sea scouts...24hr clock is standard
@the_black_arts6 ай бұрын
Former EMT Team Chief here, 91st MW, 91st OMMS/MXS. Thanks for the video, remember everything like it was yesterday. From squadron code change to MG R&R to OZ/IZ Checkout to GMR25 & chromate filter changes to MEEDS box authentication to yelling CAPSULE! on the SIN line to get them to pick up their phone 😂
@lonmccarter63376 ай бұрын
I enlisted during the latter part of ‘Nam and served in 91st MMS at Minot ND. The base had a saying “ Why not Minot? Freezin the reason.” I was there in the mid 70’s as a 31650G-2. Boeing Aerospace was finishing up the change over from MM 2 to MM3’s. It’s been 50+ years ago. If they ever launched at us I’d go out on my front porch with a barley pop and watch the fireworks. The northern hemisphere would be toast. There isn’t a hole deep enough to hide in.
@CookingUpRealEstateDreams6 ай бұрын
What size mdf did you use 4x8 ? And how big was the dealer area you cut out ? About 8 inches ?
@vidfan17017 ай бұрын
This was such a great video! All I really knew about missile silos was from "The Day After." You are truly an unsung hero, working in adverse conditions to keep those awesome delivery vehicles operating. God bless you and all who served with you!
@djorges6 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment - I appreciate that
@insideoutsideupsidedown22184 ай бұрын
The US Air Force was so sneaky, they had those Minuteman silos right next to the residence halls on the KU campus.
@darreldwalton87637 ай бұрын
HAH! MMT at Malfunction Junction 73-79, worked MMIII from its introduction, prior to that, I worked F bird on Force Mod and Wg VI holes both. Tango 50 and Oscar 3 can changes were guaranteed RON. Dutton Nothin' had damned good rolls. "TCC, TCC, Maintenance 183, 10-5 at Dutton Nutton for a sticky bun and a cup on the run"... I will never forget the smell of stale air mixed with dead mice, diesel fuel and sodium chromate. We NEVER had a problem with facility managers when we had to RON. Yeah, NOT! We were always muddy, greasy, needed a shave, boots scuffed, we had weapons and wouldn't take our cover off while armed. The cooks were GREAT!!!We got real food, and it was good. I did some time in the Army, and had occasion to eat at Navy chow facilities. There's a reason the USAF gets ribbed about the chow, everyone else's sucks! Also spent six years at FEW working Peacekeeper doing pretty much both MMT and MHT. Was interesting as hell!
@steve-ey3rx5 ай бұрын
Did you know Tom Hahn or Mike Kaseno? I was EMT 77-80.
@annakelly98507 ай бұрын
Turn your mic up. We can barely hear you.
@tomp80947 ай бұрын
I was a Minuteman II ICBM Crew Member at Malmstrom from 1983-1987. I spent one year in the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron, one year as an Evaluator Crew Commander and 1.5 years in the Instructor Shop. I enjoyed my time On Crew and loved being stationed in Big Sky Country. Great video. Can still remember performing TO demand response checklists like it was yesterday. "Team Chief - make the Sortie Launch Capable and accomplish LF EWO Evacuation."
@jhfdb37 ай бұрын
I also was stationed at FEWAFB. I was the first group of senior airmen the USAF had. It was disappointing not to go to buck sergeant from A1C, but that was the seventies. I had some great times in Cheyenne. I still have a lot of friends who stayed there after their service.
Пікірлер
I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB from 90 to 92, during that time they started decommission the 44th MW.
1st of all, I to would like to thank you, deeply for your service... I found this segment fascinating, to get the inside scoop on the nuts and bolts, of how to maintain our Nuclear deterrent apparatus. What a colossual undertaking it must be, to bear the weight of the 🌎 world so to speak, ensuring we are ready to launch, and also being ever vigilant not to allow an "inadvertent" incident to rewrite human history in a poorer light . Thanks so much for sharing this... God bless ..
I was an EMT TEAM member at Malmstrom AFB 1976-1978. I have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer & Kidney Cancer
How much do you get Paid yearly doing this type of work ???
About $625 a month - we could eat for free in the chow hall - live in the dorm for free - things were cheaper in 1983
@@djorges Interesting technology - Harnessing the power of stars ✨. Nuclear technology should only be used for space travel through the solar system.
North American Defense Strategic Air Command. 3:40 The missiles are buried underground, but they're controlled from a shack? Wouldn't that be easy to knock out?
I was a 316x0 working in the FMT shop at Ellsworth, 74 - 77. The job was tough, especially in winter but it was the most important job I have ever had. I am proud that I was trusted to do it.
I feel the same way!!
good vid!
Thanks
This makes me so sad, knowing we have this technical capability and a near perfect approach to maintenance and services at any cost, yet we have homeless and hungry citizens and veterans who need help. I wish our country cared as much about that as being a superpower. We could be an ultrapower by eliminating homelessness and suffering within our own land. It disgusts me to see our money go overseas for their wars. Are we not so advanced now that we have artificial intelligence? Where is the solution to end poverty and homelessness, hunger, killing?
You have a casino in your house. LOL
Pretty much - I have a blackjack table roulette and craps - my friends and I have great casino night parties - there are other videos on my channel on playing and building these tables
I enjoyed both parts one and two. Very informative story with clear pictures and superhero music. Always wondered how these systems were maintained. Excellent!
I’m glad you liked them
Was an FSC/ART Team member for the 342nd MSS working primarily out of the GOLF (12th SMS) and TANGO (564th SMS) flight areas back in the mid to late 1980's. I loved my Montana experience, and have been back often since back in the day. Odd. I never worked FOXTROT or PAPA in all my time on the westside. I never saw the eastside (10th, and 490th SMS) at any time. The prairie dogs got so bad at GOLF, they actually issued us (the site) a pellet rifle. We had a great competition -- The FM got in on the act by keeping score. Between that, and hanging out in capsule with two of the coolest combat crews I ever had the pleasure of serving with will be enduring memories forever.
Every once in a while a farmer would snag the fence with a tractor and tear it open and cows would wonder on to the site. I never saw many other critters
I was Security Forces stationed at Malmstrom 2007 - 2012. 341st MSF Sqd. It was not a nice experience, but was unique. Interesting to see things from the maintainers side
Winters were cold - topside had to be rough on the cold days.
losers
I wss a CTT team member from 74-78 in WAFB, MO. Then a site chief from 78-79 at FEWAFB, WY. Your video brought back some memories!
Was it a "TOP SECRET" clearance or a "SECRET" clearance? I was in the Air Force during that period and bomber Crew Chiefs had a SECRET clearance, but not a Top Secret clearance. We took possession of nuclear weapons until the flight crew got onboard and then we would sign them over to the Aircraft Commander. The flight crew got Top Secret clearances because they had targeting information.
Top Secret - at least for my career field - perhaps because I carried launch codes and targeting information as well as installing encryption/decryption hardware
@@djorges I see what you mean. Yeah, launch codes would be Top Secret. Targets too.
Used to ride dirt bikes out to the old abandoned NIKE Missle sites in Glastonbury, CT. This was back in the mid 80's nothing really to see but a group of concrete slabs and something that looked like an old bulkhead structure filled with cement. Maybe for below ground generator or controls? The only active use of the area was a fenced in air traffic direction beacon on a hilltop. We must have gotten too close one day and tripped a perimeter sensor. Our second mistake was taking a break from riding long enough for the forest officer responce vehicle to arrive (I forget what their official name was). Being kids, we started our bikes and bugged out into the woods. Thanks for the video.
There was no authentication number for us maintenance guys when I was working Minuteman sites at Ellsworth AFB in the mid 70's. They must have started that later. I was an FMT team chief.
Simpson-260… OMG I feel so old"…. Always worked …. 💪👍🙏🫡
after watching this entire video I am further convinced that pineapple belongs on pizza.
Which Minuteman looks like it has an MX-10 nosecone? Is that the III? Now I'm feeling like an ignoramus because I totally forgot about that.
Who replenished the tritium in the warheads?
Robert.
Every time I double tap the dislike button it always stays blank. What’s the deal?
Great vid! Thanks
I lived 15 miles from 1 of this silos near Cheyenne, Wyoming
A few years ago, was passing by a mussike site in North Dakota. They have numerous armored vehicles on eirher side of the site entrance. Those armored vehicles have crew zerved weapons on them. Also, numerous humvees. It was interesting and a bit unnerving at the sametime. Not a place or time that you wsnt to stop and ask questions. Up the raod, at small town with a convenience stop, there was another column of humvees and support vehicles , with a different maintenance team. We went inside , and many of the team were inside, getting coffee or whatever. They were all very polite and respectful. My respects to all of them.
what is this
It's called poker bro
The real question is where is this fake board at this is not real and the way they throw is illegal this guy is stupid and so is this video
$100 in last time I played craps, I put $5 on the field. 7... $10 on the field - 7. 20 on the field-7 40 on the field -7. Last 25 on the field-7. I watched the next roll-7. The guy rolled 6 7's in a row.... I walked away.
Awe that’s rough - maybe playing the Don’t was the right choice - easy to see that in hind sight.
Great video. I'm retired active duty and retired civil service. Most of my time was in Minuteman. Malmstrom 84' - 88', 96' - 04', F. E. Warren 04' - 21'. I was FMT (facilities maintenance team). Also, prior to cross training, I was comm. - worked on the HICS. The cinnamon rolls at the By-Way Cafe were legendary. We all had our 3x5 card and I think once you bought four you got on free. One cinnamon roll would hold me till' well after lunch.
Thanks - since I always went north west to the Minuteman III sites we stopped in Dutton for cinnamon rolls - referred to as Dutton - 0. In the mornings it was a bunch of blue trucks in that parking lot.
I miss the food out there! I was a facility manager in the 564th for a couple years and loved stopping at Dutton.@@djorges
Fun video but the music is annoying.
A question I can’t seem to find an answer to is does the missile silo have flame tunnels to release flames from the thrusters of the missile?
No it does not - the flames shoot straight up the silo - it will actually blow a giant smoke ring as it launches
Tango 50...up in the 564th squadron, North of Great Falls. That squadron was originally Minuteman II, and the system was like Wing VI at Grand Forks. Which meant the equipment and personnel were unique...not like the other 150 LF's and 15 LCF's at Malmstrom. Let me tell you how maintenance was in the "Old Wing"! I was a Targeting team chief on Minuteman I, from 1965 to '69! We aligned the missile guidance system, and associated equipment using Swiss-made optical theodolites. (We were told at missile school that the Russians used parts on the bottom!) We had a targeting console contained in a large box on the back of a 5-ton, six passenger truck, with which we programmed using mylar tapes, the signals sent down to the programmer in the upper equipment room, through a large cable. Guards? Yes, we had them with us on each dispatch. They were armed with M-2 Carbines and one magazine with 10 rounds of ball ammo! Never saw an AR-15 or an M-16. They were pipelined to 'Nam! Want to know more? I wrote a book called, "And the Truck You Rode In On!"
I've been at T-50. . . I was running a SIT-7 one night -- at T-50 -- and part of the check was to take the ladder down in the support building as us good cops do. The lower I went down that ladder, the stronger the stench of diesel fuel became. I remember walking into the main section that is shock suspended and finding nothing, but the odor was almost overpowering at this point. Looking under the suspended floor is when I discovered the source. Instead of seeing space -- I saw a blueish liquid.... Almost to the bottom of the floor. What had happened was the fuel tank for the auxiliary generator had somehow developed a leak, and the contents settled in the suspended space that made up the support building. Of course, I unassed the area as quickly as I could secure it, reporting my finding to my leader as I went. I was actually ordered back in to verify what I saw. That went all the way to Offutt as they had to take the site off active alert -- take it offline completely to the point we had to pull on-site security because of no power to the banjos and such. That was a long night. I got some atta-boys and accolades at next guard-mount, so that was cool in the end.
Nos dias atuais, criançinhas de Hollywood, é sarmat 2, para carbonizar vosso prazer nacionalista!!!!!!.
This brings back a lot of memories. I was at A5 the one in the foothills near Monarch. my first job out of tech school in Minnesota. A5 was part of the first missile site to be built. It was a Minuteman 1. One day back in 1962 the missile was in the hole without the warhead when we got a call for all Boeing personnel to leave the site. On the way back to Great Falls we saw the truck which carries the warhead go out. It was the start of the Cuban missile crisis. Note the support building was not built yet at this site. I know all about the access procedures and the forever slow Plug. Do you remember the Polaris tube? The rest of my time at Bowing was going from site to site with another crew doing the same and run tests and balancing the line between missile lunch siloes. all over the three bases Malmstrom, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Ellsworth AFB South Dakota. just about every missile site some before the Air Force takes over and some after. without the Security Forces with us. We were given the codes to open the hatches and then to codes to lock up after we left. I'm now 82
I was at Ellsworth AFB at about the same time you were at Malmstrom. I liked both your videos. I was on the Operations side as an MCCC. I'd like to ask you some questions about the maintenance side of things and also the MM II and MM III mix. If you'd care to converse a bit, let me know, and I'll give you an email address.
This brings back a lot of memories. Back in 1962 I was working for Boeing on the Minuteman missile A5 the first Missile to go one line. It happen during the Cuban Missile Crisis. That was a close call. We where working on site with the missile in place without the war head on, when we got a call to get off now. On the way back to Great Falls we saw the truck which carries the war head go out. The rest of my time our crew went to just about every site, balancing the lines that go between missile silos. Sites before and after the Air Force took control of the group. In Montana, South Dakota, and Minot North Dakota. I’m now 82. I know all about the combination lock’s and the big clam shill cover and the big plug in the hole which took for ever to go down. And don’t forget the Polaris tube if you know what I mean?
Fascinating stuff. I enlisted in 1996 and my job would have been electronics maintenance on those missiles, if I hadn't gotten a medical discharge. I worked at Vandenberg for 9 years as a contractor so I've seen plenty of facilities and launches, but never really knew exactly what my job would have looked like if I'd stayed in. Thanks for posting this. Maybe skip the background music next time?
I went all the way through tech school at vadenburg and completed the entire school for missle maintenance technician, and the last day of class I got called into the Cpts office and got told I wasn't graduating, and I was in fact getting discharged for fraudulent enlistment. I had a weed charge that got dismissed when I was 17 ,and my recruiter told me just don't put it on my paperwork that I've been arrested. I didn't end up getting discharged because when I was waiting on my discharge papers 9/11 happened and I ended up getting reclassified to a medical administration job. Lol sucked , but I wished now it would hade all worked out with the missile job . I was proud of myself for once in my life for finishing that school
Hey! Were Hank Habenick, Bobby Watts, and Joe Shafffers still there? And that doe-eyed beauty at Dutton-0 ?
I'm a 75 yo now, but I do remember my 8 years in the Air Force, the best years of my life. It was between 1967 - 1975 since I last carried code pages to penetrated these Launch Facilities as a Team Chief. I actually had a great team of five technicians with different job specialties, a couple corrosion control guys, and a security guard. On the missile site we did work in the support building and I opened the security pity with the coordination with the Launch Capsule Crew to penetrated the B-Plug telescoping ladder down to the first level of the equipment floor, then coordinating again with the Capsule Crew we "failed safe" the missile for us to safely perform maintenance on both equipment levels. I was very honored to serve my country. The USAF gave me a good foundation to move into a 37 year career with Air Products and Chemicals Inc, into my present retirement. I think I had a great run working for two great organizations in my lifetime.
It just occurred to me what the B in B plug stands for. Lmao😂
Very interesting, Thanks!
Really interesting to learn about the procedures and life on the ground, much better than the usual docos
I maybe a civi but I grew up in sea scouts...24hr clock is standard
Former EMT Team Chief here, 91st MW, 91st OMMS/MXS. Thanks for the video, remember everything like it was yesterday. From squadron code change to MG R&R to OZ/IZ Checkout to GMR25 & chromate filter changes to MEEDS box authentication to yelling CAPSULE! on the SIN line to get them to pick up their phone 😂
I enlisted during the latter part of ‘Nam and served in 91st MMS at Minot ND. The base had a saying “ Why not Minot? Freezin the reason.” I was there in the mid 70’s as a 31650G-2. Boeing Aerospace was finishing up the change over from MM 2 to MM3’s. It’s been 50+ years ago. If they ever launched at us I’d go out on my front porch with a barley pop and watch the fireworks. The northern hemisphere would be toast. There isn’t a hole deep enough to hide in.
What size mdf did you use 4x8 ? And how big was the dealer area you cut out ? About 8 inches ?
This was such a great video! All I really knew about missile silos was from "The Day After." You are truly an unsung hero, working in adverse conditions to keep those awesome delivery vehicles operating. God bless you and all who served with you!
Thanks for your comment - I appreciate that
The US Air Force was so sneaky, they had those Minuteman silos right next to the residence halls on the KU campus.
HAH! MMT at Malfunction Junction 73-79, worked MMIII from its introduction, prior to that, I worked F bird on Force Mod and Wg VI holes both. Tango 50 and Oscar 3 can changes were guaranteed RON. Dutton Nothin' had damned good rolls. "TCC, TCC, Maintenance 183, 10-5 at Dutton Nutton for a sticky bun and a cup on the run"... I will never forget the smell of stale air mixed with dead mice, diesel fuel and sodium chromate. We NEVER had a problem with facility managers when we had to RON. Yeah, NOT! We were always muddy, greasy, needed a shave, boots scuffed, we had weapons and wouldn't take our cover off while armed. The cooks were GREAT!!!We got real food, and it was good. I did some time in the Army, and had occasion to eat at Navy chow facilities. There's a reason the USAF gets ribbed about the chow, everyone else's sucks! Also spent six years at FEW working Peacekeeper doing pretty much both MMT and MHT. Was interesting as hell!
Did you know Tom Hahn or Mike Kaseno? I was EMT 77-80.
Turn your mic up. We can barely hear you.
I was a Minuteman II ICBM Crew Member at Malmstrom from 1983-1987. I spent one year in the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron, one year as an Evaluator Crew Commander and 1.5 years in the Instructor Shop. I enjoyed my time On Crew and loved being stationed in Big Sky Country. Great video. Can still remember performing TO demand response checklists like it was yesterday. "Team Chief - make the Sortie Launch Capable and accomplish LF EWO Evacuation."
I also was stationed at FEWAFB. I was the first group of senior airmen the USAF had. It was disappointing not to go to buck sergeant from A1C, but that was the seventies. I had some great times in Cheyenne. I still have a lot of friends who stayed there after their service.