Inside the Nuclear Triad (Pt. 1): ICBMs

The threat of nuclear war is the highest it’s been since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Coffee or Die Magazine’s Nolan Peterson visited a US Air Force nuclear missile silo and underground launch facility. He observed how America’s nuclear missile arsenal remains on alert 24 hours a day, every day, ready to defend the homeland should the unthinkable ever come to pass.
The 319th Strategic Missile Squadron, based out of F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, maintains an arsenal of Cold War-era, nuclear-armed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are always ready to launch within minutes. Those missiles belong to US Air Force Global Strike Command, which also controls America’s fleet of nuclear-capable strategic bombers. AFGSC and the bombers make up two legs of the so-called nuclear triad, which also includes the US Navy’s submarine-based missiles.
America has never gone to war against a nuclear-armed adversary. But in this new era of great-power competition, the US homeland is increasingly enmeshed within a global threat environment more complicated, and perhaps more dangerous, than the Cold War ever was.
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#icbm
#usairforce
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[@paaat001]

This is absolutely awesome. I spent 9 years as a maintainer for the Minuteman systems in Montana, one of 6 Minuteman wings at the time (1,000 missiles). We went out day and night, in sun and blizzards to get a down missile back on alert. There was never much recognition from the public because we didn't seek it. I am glad the job is summarized so well in this presentation. Well Done!!

[@gooner72]

It must've been an unbelievably awesome job but equally terrifying with the knowledge that you maintain weapons that can annihilate the human race. Massive respect to you mate!! 🇬🇧🇺🇲✌️✌️

[@paaat001]

@@gooner72 Not terrifying at all. As long as they stayed "cold and in the hole " everything was working as planned.

[@Izheets]

I served as a Security Policeman during the height of the (First) Cold War. Very proud and humbled that I was able to serve and do my small part to help deter a Nuclear War. Most meaningful part of my life. The video brought back a lot of memories of my experiences during that Cold War period. I thought we had put Nuclear war, by and large, behind us after the collapse of the USSR, but with what’s happening now in our world, I feel we have never been closer to lighting the final candle.

[@hacker007300]

C ff f❤❤f❤fff❤❤

[@shogunzftw7655]

Rent a cop

[@adrianmoncayo2555]

@@shogunzftw7655 🤣🤣🤣 stole my words

[@shogunzftw7655]

@@adrianmoncayo2555 lol 😆

[@TheBenghaziRabbit]

this is deff one weapon system you dont want modernized on the grid. keep it analog and unconnected so less chance of a hack or external intrusion

[@firefly9838]

Nah we need sky net😏

[@jamesgunnyreed]

My Daughter is a Tech Sgt in the AF and I had the opportunity to go visit her in Omaha and see US STRATCOM formerly Strategic Air Command. I did a little research and I am now fascinated with Nuclear Deterrence and the Job these men and women do. 20 yrs in the Marine Corps and I never really thought about all that went into this type of readiness. I just knew we guarded warheads and ships with nukes. After I retired I was a Wild Land Fire fighter and Forest Ranger in Fl. One of our Forest's was the Old Nuclear Storage facility at Cecil Field, Fl. I got a chance to talk with some of the Marines that were there on Sec Forces back in the 70's and 80's and one that was there when the facility closed in the early 90's... Fascinating stuff.

[@WvlfDarkfire]

"You can't take the sky from me" what an awesome level of dedication and defense

[@batticusmanacleas510]

Shiny.

[@BombproofCraftsman]

Solid content! I enjoy these deep dives much more than the 3-5min segments.

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@wyattblessing7078]

Apocalypse in a can. I'm 49 and lived my whole life under MAD, knowing that such fine men and women are there let's me sleep soundly at night. Any enemy that threatens our existence will assuredly threaten their own as well. Since the Genie is out of the bottle, it is our only hope to keep the can sealed.

[@TroubleActual]

Well said

[@hamzamahmood9565]

I genuinely find it hard to believe that having such a massive military spending, we didn't make defense against ICBMS the top priority. Nuclear weapons are the only thing keeping America from projecting power....even further than now

[@SuperhotdogZz]

Who wants to set off the bomb while they are sitting on it the same time? It’s a scarily effective system.

[@little_error295]

Us are most likely to nuke a nuclear power bruh no one threatening US existence always been the other way around

[@calebpalmer9317]

I feel the opposite. Every night and day I'm in fear of nuclear annihilation. Military, I'd rather anything but that. Yes, even invasion of our homeland. Anything but the end of mammalian life on Earth.

[@keithlewis8582]

missile maintainer at fe warren, we hardly get any recognition and stay really under the radar for what we do, so this is awesome to see on youtube.

[@desertcrone6431]

Ah the memories. My father was stationed there in the 70's. Missiles were part of his life for a very long time. Vandenberg AFB in the 60's, a place I don't remember in Nebraska, FE Warren, and Davis Monthan AFB in AZ, where he retired. He was involved in creating the Titan Missile Museum with other retirees he'd worked with over the years. All the silos around DM were deactivated long ago. But the one in Green Valley was earmarked for life as a museum. Worth a visit if you haven't been there. A few things I noticed in the video; 1) a Huey (?!) and 2) the systems in clear view in your video, different of course in Titan days, were always covered when visitors were down below, 3) crew quarters were very different then, 4) does it still take two men with separate keys to launch?

[@ichich3978]

4) usualy 4 men one flight alone can not launch. to launch you have to turn your 2 keys AND an silo nearby has also to turn ther keys. IIRC there is also an way to neforce a "Do not Start" from some comandposts to others... Source: some Titan missle Museum video...

[@ewoek2]

The best day of this job is a boring day. I wouldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to receive that launch command and begin the end of the world.

[@Bluee95]

I would... Receive the order and launch... Nothing to think about

[@babalonkie]

One thing that always impresses me about the American Military is the one thing that no other military does... And it's a tiny detail that some people miss... it's the manners to those not in uniform.

[@More_Row]

I don’t know what you are smoking

[@Cosmicsurfpro]

@@More_Row likewise

[@hammstah9578]

Wow. So proud and grateful to have these most committed Airmen!!!! 💪🏼🇺🇲💪🏼

[@krazium1776]

love it, perfect series for the times were in

[@speedracer2336]

These guys maintain the “big boys” in the triad.

[@corpsman9994]

The thing that gets to me is that the reporter repeatedly and consistently says"Nucular" instead of Nuclear! LOL

[@heinrichmuller7974]

i've always found it kinda cool that they can truly live up to the phrase *"anywhere in the world in under 30 mins or less"* they got dominoes beat!

[@clearsmashdrop5829]

This is cool look at part of the military that doesn't get too much attention these days. Thanks +1 sub.

[@gooner72]

These Minuteman III missiles won't be around for much longer, if I'm correct, the USAF is in the process of developing a new nuclear weapons system.

[@womb_raider8316]

Security forces dude unironically rocking the pit vipers 🤙

[@badassoptic]

When I did that job back at Minot, I started a business during off time at the MAF. For the most part, the job is very quiet. I see those new FSC new ballistic windows installed finally.

[@hotnewsupdates]

8:40 - that could have been THE call.

[@cesarcueto1995]

Scary shit

[@everthingoutdoors8181]

we test,maintain and do all that yeah highly doubt Russia does any of this judging by their helicopters and modern missiles just falling out of the sky

[@Sultan-cf5wf]

7:46 haha, "I'm in Danger"

[@justinhaase8825]

I’m in my 40s so I remember the days of wondering…hoping. My uncle passed away about 15 years ago and I included the Civil Defense logo on his headstone…as well as the Lions Club.

[@ConservativeVoicesUniversity]

SimpCast 49- Chrissie Mayr, Julia Song, Gigi Dior, Brittany Venti, Vic WATP, Anna TSWG, Xray Girl #simpcast #chrissiemayr #brittanyventi

[@bobbyc5684]

Bless these soldiers!

[@syamrika7611]

excellent report thank you

[@Batman-tb6fq]

Thanks to All that served and what an Awesome job you guys are doing for our Country

[@krisfrederick5001]

The Shining with ICBM's

[@middleburgprepper2342]

Those guys are awesome. Thank you for your service and dedication

[@briansweet8904]

Is it prerequisite to mispronounce nuclear to become a missileer?

[@chuck.reichert83]

Keep the equipment updated, but the living quarters is stuck in time.

[@haitianrefugee8454]

Way too much info being shared in this video....smh

[@snowking1996]

Say it with me: "nuclear" ..."new-clear" not "new-cue-lear". Where are people finding the extra "u"?!?

[@chazray]

Or “newk-uh-lerr” 😔

[@tristanbackup2536]

Accents, mate. Heard of it?

[@aaronsmith4940]

The key to the end of the world being held in a shit lock box with $10 padlocks.

[@lencla1526]

Thank you all the soldiers for your dedication and for protecting us...

[@MissilemanIII]

"Airman", not soldier.

[@OrionWebster]

Great... let's just discuss our nuclear deterrence and operational procedures

[@OneOfThoseTypes]

Do yourself a favor and never speak again.

[@JohnSmith-mk4nf]

I remember hearing about a lot of scandals about the heads-up of missile command. Thank whatever you choose to believe in', But it's nice to see such normal, level headed people, handling things on the ground. In the face of such a responsibility, my understatement, is really a complement.

[@charlesgillette2925]

Excellent Video thanks for sharing this.

[@mr.grumpyspider7874]

Beautiful the answer to all problems .

[@CYCLONE4499]

That would be one surreal visual experience watching all those suddenly rise out of the ground and fly off toward the north pole.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

🏆🏆🏆✌️🇺🇲🙏. Thank you for sharing

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@vincentvalerio915]

You have to wonder what live would be like without nukes. Would things be worse ? More frequent wars and in result more deaths ?

[@joelhunter3812]

Keep up the fantastic videos👍🏻

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@Ludovit110]

Quality report, thanks!

[@FSstudios1]

Col. Power… what a cool name

[@oms8762]

Glamorizing destruction

[@CO84trucker]

When shit hits the fan, the two airmen have 30 days shelter but every other airmen is left to their own devices in nuclear holocaust!

[@neguseametih]

How is possible to glorify the nuclear capability of America yet prevent other countries from building their own

[@12gauge1oz]

Excellent! Thank you folks for your service. USA USA USA.

[@myalteregostacy9552]

Coffee or die? Is there whiskey in the coffee?

[@FlyinHawaiianpros]

Did they make you film it on Cold War cameras and microphones ?

[@Pilot_Peterson]

What is the name of the background track on this video?

[@bostoncopguy]

This information should remain classified

[@leakedboss]

Launch the Polaris, the END doesn’t scare us!!!

[@alanhernandez6354]

I wonder if they ever get weird dreams down there.

[@barroningram7286]

what happened to peacekeeper missiles of the Reagan years ?

[@ThailandTerry2024]

Outstanding …

[@iamshevanel]

3:59 "they have a bed down there"......imagine being woken up and knowing its the end

[@highlandkraftwerks]

Here in Montana I've got missile sites within minutes of my house lol.

[@johnbennett951]

Ahhhh so that is what is in Montana 😮

[@Siegefya]

It's similar for WY.

[@aslysa2277]

Atleast you’ll be the first to get a heads up the world is about to end !

[@z0phi3l]

Nice touch where they had a small state flag on their flight suits

[@IGY6Brah]

“There’s always something to do” - The master sergeant that sits at his desk all day making other people do dumb shit to stay busy lol

[@blankspot2263]

And those are the weapons they tell you about....

[@logmeindog]

Can't wait until they get to my part of the triad!

[@watcher805]

If We are to move into the reality where there is a nuclear war, then it cannot be helped. We may, We may not and either way fear won't save Us and rage won't help Us. We must abandon our taboos on death.

[@marsspacex6065]

The world is only 30 minutes away from Armageddon at all times makes you think

[@Bluee95]

Makes you think... Not really

[@linsayspence7070]

Yes , but why do we live in a global high threat environment ?

[@jonathan_careless]

How ddi you get access to an active nuclear ICBM site?!?

[@DeOppressoLiber]

Thank you guys for the service. I had a question and it’s a weird question but a question nevertheless. Is it true that UFO or UFO’s have tampered with missiles in the past or even recently, since there are multiple former servicemen that came forward and said it has happened and I wanted to know if it’s true or if it has occur more then once.

[@barbarafogle3541]

Interesting question. I think it's more likely that our military or others were just testing ways to stop a launch on our systems or others. Probably with tech that is unknown to those running these systems.

[@GDBROWN]

no lol. it's not true. Have you heard of the Phoenix Lights situation from two decades ago? What's your opinion on that?

[@goldenbadger8247]

The Army also has nuclear capable artillery - correct?? How is such handled?

[@Moneymyke357]

That was decommissioned long ago.

[@M.Huling]

I’m really proud of what those service men and women are doing out there. It’s insane that we have to resort to such potential destructive measures in order for us to carry on with our continuity of life. But what are you going to do? You have to be able to respond because you know damn well that they have equal firepower. Whoever is reading my comment you should look up the submarine USS KENTUCKY. That one submarine alone has enough firepower to completely destroy the entire world. And America has like 39 other submarines that are just as bad ass. Plus we have like 12 submarines that are retrofitted with the Tomahawk cruise missiles that can get in really close and deliver their payload when called upon. All of these submarines are in addition to the ICBM’s that we have in various locations in America. Now aside from all that, is the question is our current president capable of being able to have presence of mind in order to give that command if necessary. Honestly I’m terrified knowing that sleepy Joe Biden is in charge of the steering wheel so to speak.

[@pyeitme508]

Woah 😳

[@dropdeadinc.customtattoo2537]

I personally don't feel any safer knowing that if a enemy Country sends nuclear weapons our way we will be able to retaliate

[@VlD3adly]

I live in Canada, we've consistently been top 10-15 gdp for our entire existence yet we have 3 machine guns and 1 piece of artillery to make up our military

[@VlD3adly]

@Enclave Soldier Yep, having no neighbors except the USA saves our asses. We have so much land and so few people it wouldn't even be a fight for most of it. I'm damn sure not fighting for Justin Fucking Trudeau

[@fettwalker3584]

Its kinda of funny. Being around that much nuclear material. Then to see them wear a face mask that cant keep out a fart lol. Begs to wonder if the experts are truly being smart in this situation or even have been in the last decades lol

[@MattC-jg1yb]

NUCLEAR. Not Nukuler, not Nuclular, NUCLEAR

[@chrislloyd261]

I believe nuclear weapons should be the message rather than the note

[@Chicano3000X]

Lol at the end. There’s no feeling safe with the existence of these weapons.

[@flyjet787]

Just 2 comments: 1)Terrifying video and 2) The word nuclear is pronounced just as it's spelled...."noo-clee-er" not "noo-Q-ler".

[@masterplumber8610]

Seen any uap's or UFOs or "flares" out there?👽

[@Jakub1989YTb]

8:29 "Yes Mr. President. Ofcourse Mr. President. Imidiately. ... God help us... "

[@brycemcqueen2235]

Those nukes have to follow a strict, $$$$$ maintenance schedule Otherwise they will not work!?! Hints-Russia!?! Nukes are probably all useless? I was in a store weeks ago? I gave the cashier money for the purchase? She looked at a quarter and said,"" Do you want to keep this quarter? "Why? "It's from the 90s. Its vintage?!? " I graduated high school in 1995 ?!?

[@cpiff100]

Nukes are the reason we have had all the proxy wars over the last 60 years. Great video though, still like the coffee more tho 😅

[@T39582]

THEY SHALL BE TERRIFIED WHEN THE GAMMA RAYS PENETRATE EVERYTHING AND FRY EVERYTHING!!!! JEREMIAH 50!!! JEREMIAH 51!!! REVELATION 18!!!! ISAIAH 13!!!! ISAIAH 47!!!! AMEN!!!! SURPRISE GAMMA RAY NUCLEAR BOMB!!!!

[@raymondfunke549]

Do you have to wait for the attack? Is there no way to prevent Russia from launching nuclear weapons? Disabling them by conventional means before the nuclear weapons can be deployed?

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@tristanbackup2536]

Yes. They do. Laser sattlelites. The idea is aim at the fuel tanks as it takes off before separation & exo-atmospheric flight. That's the sweet spot before it moves too fast. Problem is time & not enough to aim at all of them. Next best thing is stealth air assets to take out many as possible.

[@bobbywise2313]

A surprise first strike might be possible. How much success it would have, I don't know. I have wondered if our B-2'S could take out silo based nukes. The mobile ones Russian has are a problem because they can hide easily. We have 2 attack subs trailing Russian ballistic subs at all times. Russian subs are a lot louder than ours and can't hide. Finally we could take out their bombers before they got close. So we probably could not get all of their land based missiles. I am not sure if we could pull off a surprise attack to knock out silo missiles. That is probably debatable. The mobile launcher can hide and are pretty scattered. Russia is huge. I am not sure how well our satellites are at tracking the mobile launchers. Finally the only way I could see the USA attempting this would be if they felt war was inevitably. Of course Russia would be on extreme high alert if that were the case. Could we even get B-2's close enough to knock out their silo missiles with Russia on high alert? It would be extremely risky. That is the biggest reason neither side ever made the attempt.

[@MrEdgy81]

Pushing that nuke fear?

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The TRUE Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@phildo4708]

call it a pet peeve: i cant watch a vid/doc about nuclear power or weapons with the narrator pronouncing it nukelar... i just cant

[@overmatchanalysis1946]

Guys at 4:40 said it right

[@McFingal]

I’ve been wondering how well the PRP has been holding up. 🎃

[@TroubleActual]

What happens in case of epmd?

[@badcholesterol]

andI thought the regular chinese triad was bad enough

[@CreatingAlong]

7:46 so it is just cool to graffiti on government property there? lmao

[@dublinairportplanes]

Must be a awful burden when you get that order and you know your sending millions of citizens to their deaths and there is NOTHING you can do but watch

[@ethericbliss23]

}Aaah... AaaaHhhh... AhHHHH, BULL-S#!T!!!" "Why, BLESS you!!" : ) JMO... Simple as tuat.

[@chrislloyd261]

I would say that respecting a nuclear bomb is the best sense do you not even use respect it like a poisonous snake would you touch it no don’t touch it

[@kritik7049]

Flexing because saud leaving the group? Hahaha

[@ultraspinacle]

Great vid but my God and for the last time!!! It is nuCLEar, not nuCUler! Jeez W - Learn how to read!

[@robfreeman5783]

Sorry but I just can't take someone seriously on this subject matter when they pronounce it as "nuk-u-lar."

[@frazer3191]

What happens if Putin launches a nuclear warhead at the 🇬🇧 ? Does the American missile defence systems only protect the American mainland? Would the American people be prepared to risk New York or Washington to avenge the loss of Manchester or London ?

[@aslysa2277]

The UK has nuclear weapons ..

[@aaronsenasac6119]

Article 5 NATO. We’ve got your back brother 🇺🇸 - Current Security Forces member at FE Warren

[@Healthliving1967]

You wouldn't want joe biden calling the shots if it came down to it,i doubt he would be capable of actually remembering what to say !

[@superchucksvd]

I pray this deterrent will keep the savage maple man at bay or Canadians that is.