Expedition Texas - ET 1502 - Atlas Missile Silo

This week we're invited to explore one of many Atlas Missile Silos near Abilene, Texas. Learn the interesting history of this missile program and explore the dark reaches of this underground facility!
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[@StoneBrowne13]

My great grandfather who is currently 100 years old was stationed here. Has a lot of stories about this place. I need to get him back up here soon, he’s not far.

[@jackshittle]

That is terrific! Get as much info as you can from him. I'm 50 yrs old and my father & grandfathers have long passed. I spent 5 yrs in the Navy & have a lot of things to pass on to my kids. Tell your grandfather I thank him for his service.

[@StoneBrowne13]

@@jackshittle Really appreciate it. My brother and I sit around the pool table with him when we are done playing, he tells us stories and shows us all of the paperwork he has perfectly organized. Thank you for your service as well. Believe it or not at 100 he still runs the pool table. Different generation…

[@jackshittle]

@@StoneBrowne13 You're welcome! Wow, that's amazing he's still killing it at pool - good for him! You are right - totally different generation. Sounds like you & your brother have a great relationship with the man. I hope he lives another 100 yrs. Cheers!

[@notso1973]

I was one of several guys that enjoyed 'caving' while going to college in Abilene in the early to mid 1970's. Since there were no caves in the area, we resorted to exploring several of these silos, dropping a rope over the edge of the missile area and rapelling 100' to 150' down to the water level and practiced putting on our climbing gear and changing directions while still on the rope. So many good memories and thankfully nobody got killed(we were actually pretty good at it). My main memory at this particular silo one time was exiting the silo with a couple of highway patrol vehicles parked next to ours and the very understanding officers assuming they'd be going down to retrieve some bodies. It seems like I remember a trash dump near this one. Like I said, some great memories with some great guys.

[@texascottonfarmer]

I was there too! I went inside the silo at Ft. Phantom Hill reservoir in 1970.

[@mwsmith6209]

Wouldn't it be super to hang out with this remarkably intelligent man?!!! I could listen to him talk all day. BTW - wonder where the other 6 missile sites are... 😏😏🤔🤔🤫🤫🤠🤠

[@robertanderson663]

the other 11 are in the video on the map at 2:07 minutes

[@cementer7665]

@@robertanderson663 The one at Crewes is not shown. I've been in the one at Nolan, on the site at Denton Valley, talked to the owners of the sites at Oplin, and Lawn, and driven past the site at Clyde.

[@kenbarthelette8079]

I worked on all these sites in 1962 while being built. Boy do I have some stories to tell before moving to Beale AFB and the Titan 1.

[@MegaMastiffman]

I would love to hear politicians say deterrent weapons because what he said is absolutely true,amazing piece of history

[@JDDOWDY]

I am in awe.

[@mwsmith6209]

Kinda funny but you had that "deer in the headlights" look😳😳🤯😧 Seriously though, that was by far and wide the best Texas expedition interview you did 👍👍👍

[@captaintrips2980]

The feeling of aloneness, coupled with the echoes and darkness could drive a man insane on that boat. On a happier note, we have some interesting Atlas sites here in northern New York, one that has been refurbished into a beautiful home. It even has a runway. I grew up with one not more than a quarter mile away, I even saw the atomic warhead on top of the missile. I was about 5 or 6 years old

[@centexan]

I had known for a long time there were missle silos in Texas. But the number of them, which I'm still not sure about, is higher than I thought.

[@bobbyhall7472]

I would make a house in there!

[@ExpeditionTexas]

Wouldn't that be cool!?

[@captaintrips2980]

It's been done you know.

[@paulharvey1947]

I didn't think they had silos in Texas let alone 12. Does anyone have a link to a map of the Texas locations?

[@DanielSmith-lv5ed]

Why the hell would someone spend decades looking to sniff out our defence?goddam fuckin new yorkers

[@gravitronrutherford1631]

He’s probably doing mushrooms when he’s in his boat.