Minuteman Nuclear Missile Control Facility Tour - A Must See

[@billn9910]

Thanks for your video. My name is Bill and I was on the first Air Force launch crew to accept Delta 1 and its 10 missiles from the Boeing Company on an evening in early July 1963. My crew (R103) consisted of Captain Austin Wade and myself, 1/Lt Bill Norwood. Eventually I worked 19 years in the Minuteman system at several bases and in operations and maintenance. I am happy that the National Park Service has taken Delta 1 under its wing to make it a Cold War museum. It was closed as part of a treaty with the Russians which eventually resulted in the shutdown and destruction of 3 bases of missiles reducing their number by 450. Today, 400 Minuteman missiles still stand alert in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming/Nebraska/Colorado. Visit Delta 1 and Delta 9 by stopping at the visitor center at exit 131 on Interstate 90 in South Dakota. I was 23 when I served that tour at Delta 1 and now I am almost 81. Unfortunately medical problems will prevent my return.

[@JayWandersOut]

Wow, what an amazing history. It must have been odd having your line of work but probably not being able to talk about most of it to anybody outside of work. I only had a secret clearance while in the marines but I even had things I wish would just get declassified so I could talk about them freely. I was so impressed at the level of technology down there already in the 60s. It's quite amazing.

[@billn9910]

@@JayWandersOut Thanks Jay and thanks for your service.

[@CSLee-yu6ht]

Cool I wanted to go there but I spent all my time in the Badlands and Wall Drug lol.... I use to work in North Dakota and there are minuteman sites everywhere in the northern part of the state. One day I was driving out in the middle of nowhere and pulled up to a roadblock and it was basically a black SUV telling me to turn my phone off and they made sure I did. The guy said I’d come to another SUV in a bit and I could then turn it on... To my surprise a half a mile down the road they were working at a site and had the missile above the ground out of the silo. Wow I’ll probably never see that again... Thanks for the video, cool.

[@JayWandersOut]

Crazy! I'm shocked they let you drive through at all then but they probably had armed guards there ready as well. During the tour they said that they always had air support when moving a missile so thousands of feet up there was probably someone watching you as well.

[@CSLee-yu6ht]

Jay I can tell you I felt a little uneasy, especially when I drove bye and saw the missile... Take Care, I enjoyed the video...

[@pdmce7407]

At 10:49 of the video the Park Ranger was mistaken when talking about the red lock box which contained the launch keys and authorization codes. During crew change over, the off going crew would remove their locks. The oncoming crew would inventory the keys and launch codes in the red box and put their locks on. At this point the new crew would be in charge. Crews DID NOT carry launch keys and authorization codes around with them! Jay, a minor point. One was not strapped in the bed while one slept. The straps were only to secure the mattress. The missile crews were not expecting to be taken unawares in bed! I would be very interested to see an unedited version of the capsule tour!

[@AllenSchubert]

Very cool to learn this stuff!! I think this was more detailed than whatever I may have seen on History Channel!

[@JayWandersOut]

I'm still blown away that they let us go right down there and even film when less than 30 years ago it was a top secret location.

[@barbaramitchell7917]

Nice video,,, I'm going to have to look some of your older videos to see how you stay warm!!

[@JayWandersOut]

I'm working on that video now. Mostly though it's a lot of blankets. I sleep pretty warm though.

[@LifeIsBetterByTheBrook]

I lived in central Montana for several years. I drove past a couple of the missile sites each morning. This video reminded me again of high plains winters. Bitter cold temperatures, wind, white outs, and snowdrifts. Where I lived for 5 years, the average wind speed was 60 mph. The area now has a wind farm.

[@JayWandersOut]

60 mph average wind speed is insane! Driving to and from the missile silos the snow drifts were horrible and the roads were so slippery. I drovely slowly and semis were blowing by. I'm hoping to get some new tires soon and they should work better in snow and ice. I love that America has such diverse environments to travel around.

[@LifeIsBetterByTheBrook]

We have a 2014 4-Runner. A friend of ours suggested getting all-season tires. We've had them for two years now, and we love how they handle the snow and ice.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Jay, thank you for the guided tour. That is quite a fascinating area. All the best to you my friend. Please keep your informative videos coming along. 🤗

[@JayWandersOut]

There's so much in the area yet initially it seems like there's not that much there. Always nice to be surprised.

[@LMicheleS]

I'm surprised they let you film in there but I guess the technology is super antiquated now. Really neat video Jay - thanks for sharing!

[@jimwest6571]

I was stationed at DELTA-01 in the early 70's. I worked in Air Force Security Police and worked as an FSC, Flight Security Controller topside. So, I worked in the little office outside the elevator. I worked with other security and launch personnel and lived at the sites usually on a rotating shift, 3 days on, 3 days off. Had to have a Security Clearance just to be there.

[@livindalife5356]

Thanks Jay. I subscribe to your channel and enjoy your videos. You have such interesting videos. I was a launch crew member on the Titan II missle a long time ago. We only had 54 Titan II's. They were much bigger than the Minuteman III and liquid propellant. Sure brought back memories. Keep your videos coming.

[@tedburner4379]

The top doesn't blow open they just slide out in seconds they do reuse missile silos live in Nebraska by them watch them take them out put them in they travel down the interstate big long military parade. Couple in kimball Nebraska own a titan 2 which was nuclear they do walk thurs

[@allencrider]

All this time I thought Minuteman sites were all manned.

[@JayWandersOut]

Crazy right? 10 missiles spread out away from a central control location is pretty smart then having aerial control redundancy is good too. I had no idea these even existed nor how they were set up so this set of tours was all totally fascinating.

[@fnln544]

Jay, Thanks for the multiple site tours. Unique history. And glad you survived the truly cold weather! Keith

[@BigDukeX]

Yep, really cool Cold War relics.., just wait until you get to Florida for more of same.

[@JayWandersOut]

Someday I'll make it out to Florida. It's my winter plan for some year.

[@laurenbouchie2394]

Lol...your the only one at the first site because your the only one crazy enough to go to South Dakota in the winter time an in frigid temps!

[@JayWandersOut]

Yep, I've gotten used to the idea I would be the only one crazy enough to be in some of these places in these conditions. I had to walk around a lot backwards so the wind wouldn't be in my face.

[@laurenbouchie2394]

@@JayWandersOut Its ok to be crazy, we do it to...an you dont have to fight any crowds!

[@susanolson3611]

🙂

[@jeffreyrule8143]

👌👌👌

[@gabi1342ful]

Thank God these nuclear missiles never have been launched... 🤔

[@JayWandersOut]

No kidding. I'm still shocked when people keep trying to stoke Russia up instead of trying to work with them.

[@billn9910]

Actually many have been launched but only test launches from Vandenberg AFB, California to Kwajalein atoll South Pacific.

[@georgewillems32]

Maybe we gonna need 'm...