Primed for Defense - The Minuteman

This movie about the Minuteman Missile System was filmed at Whiteman Air Force Base in 1969 or 1970.

[@stevenmassey146]

love the narrator at any given moment I thought he was going to introduce the A-team

[@Ammo08]

I built the warheads for the MK12AReentry System for the Minuteman III at FE Warren AFB in the early 1970s...I got to go on 3 launches at Vandenberg AFB...

[@meganlehr611]

Thank you for posting this. My grandfather is Colonel Miller and he passed away last weekend. Amazing to see him young and in action.

[@jimsteele7209]

My sympathies to you. I'm glad you found the movie.

[@HardCase1911]

18:17 18:55 ​@@jimsteele7209

[@user-rm1kp2ky1x]

My Dad was the producer of this film. Recently passed on . They don't make films like this anymore ,very patriotic. Enjoy , hope it never comes to this. Peace. Andy

[@FlushCut]

Fuck patriotism.

[@jamesackermann640]

My father worked on the Communications and was part of AFCC. He was stationed at Malmstrom Minot and Grand Forks then retired at Vandenberg. I am proud of him and what he and other Airmen did to keep our country safe.

[@darrelnesseth1501]

Great seeing this! Brings back a lot of memories. Target and Alignment team, Whiteman AFB, Feb 1963-1965; Grand Forks, 1965-1967, 3901st, 1967-1969

[@billn9910]

My crew was the first crew that accepted the first flight (Delta 1 LCF and Delta 2-11 LFs) from the Boeing Company in early July 1963. Delta 1 and Delta 9 are still in operation and maintained by the National Park Service as the Minuteman National Historic Site. All of the other Ellsworth sites have been destroyed as part of a treaty with the Russians.

[@salvadorvizcarra769]

I guess now that you're old; with gray hair and grandchildren, you realize your enormus, HUGE stupidity of having the lives of millions of people in your stupid hands. "Shit happens" in your case, it has a horrible meaning. Have you realized how stupid you were in your stupid youth? And you called that a "job." Moron.

[@dermozart80]

@@salvadorvizcarra769 you are a prototype of a SoaB

[@tfp0052]

Minuteman - When you care enough to send the very best!

[@tomp8094]

I was on crew at Malmstrom AFB 1980-1983. 10th SMS Delta Flight Commander, one year as an Evaluator and two years in the Instructor Shop.

[@dutchwalters4450]

stumbled on this and man did it bring back memories. EMT at Ellsworth throughout the 70's, penetrated every site at least once and all of the LCF's. That routine drawer change was absolutely not a 2 minute operation. Also worked Job Control and was NCOIC Plans and Scheduling. Hello to all the maintenance guys and gals out there.

[@johnmartin2594]

I was stationed at Whiteman as a missile mechanic 44350G 1963 -1965 Minuteman 1

[@justdad53]

The Minuteman sites at Whiteman have all been decommissioned and only the Launch Control Center (Oscar 01) remain as historic site open to visitors. As a combat crew member at Whiteman from 1982 thru 1985 (left Jan 1986) I was proud of the work that the maintenance teams, security forces , facility managers, and cooks did make sure we could our jobs. Their work in all temperatures, 24 hours, 365 days a year was fantastic. Most of teams were very young but dedicated. Most alerts were uneventful but we experienced LCC evacuations, LCEB fires, and even a peace protestor trying to jack hammer a launch facility door open. I have been to Russia as part of the Start Treaty and also destroying the Ground Launch Cruise Missile under the INF treaty. I don't think anyone will disagree with the fact machines and people make mistakes so I hope everyone who has these weapons will continue to find ways to minimize the number or eliminate them.

[@thomasnikkola5600]

As a fellow Vet, ABH 3 US Navy I want to thank you for your service. You're right we were young dedicated members of the armed forces. Who did our jobs most of which are unglamorous to say the least! Thank you again!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@scootertooter6874]

Don't know who you are, but I was on crew with you...just sayin' - 510 SMS 1983-87. Remember "Rockin' Dave" in Pre-Departure? "Safety...safety...Mah hats off to ya...cops...ops...even the FMs with their mops...."

[@scootertooter6874]

@@justdad53 What squadron (or shop) were you in?

[@scootertooter6874]

@@justdad53 510 SMS, no shop time, and was on crew with Timms, Fowler, L. Darden...before my Feb 86 upgrade to MCCC....initials KILO VICTOR...buddies with "The Hode" (aka Hody)

[@scootertooter6874]

@@justdad53 Magic Marker! "Foxxxxxxxxx..." We used to say Jim was proof your could survive a nuclear war-- he was only 13." Were you with Jim on his "PC Doc odyssey" (In short, he got lost while transporting, and kept driving until Osceola...CP was frantic)... And Dan O.-- I used to do a great Dan O. impression of giving a launch report. And I had Raines as an instructor a number of times. Why can't I recognize you?

[@LMTDDS]

I liked all the strict formality. Especially liked the chin straps on the hard hats.

[@LeofromFreo]

Good documentary. Worth watching. Also, look at the end credits. The crew were largely servicemen from a designated Air Force film department. Today, video production would be awarded to the cheapest tender, a business with lots of men with pony tail hairdos and women with licorice allsort earings.

[@Stealthpanther1]

Brought back memories of my time in North Dakota. This is the unsung part of the USAF that very few people get to see. Proud to have maintained 1/3 of our nations nuclear TRIAD.

[@EddieLeal]

Now GFAFB ND has Global Hawk/Predator drones.

[@babykevinxoxo]

old piece of shit rockets.

[@1969darr]

There was about 20 yrs North Dakota was considered the third most powerful super power in the world.

[@DriveLaken]

Thank you for what you did. And, thanks for not launching ;)

[@four7tw3nty70]

silly man

[@ymcmb123jr]

Imagine going down into that bunker to film this and at that moment they get the legitimate launch order from the president

[@Madness832]

Got a chuckle out of the "Attention Young Men" clip about 2 minutes in. The guys sitting on *bombs* playing cards!

[@3melendr]

Holy Moly! Minuteman 1A's or B's? Antiques!

[@SocialistDistancing]

While traveling through north Dakota, I happened on a maintenance team at one of sites. They run heavy now. No less than 8 armored vehicles with crew served weapons on security. I bumped into a second team up the road at a service station. All very friendly and professional people. There's a couple of sites that you can visit. One in South Dakota near Wall SD. I strongly suggest you call them to book a tour ahead of time. It's super busy during the summer months. They also have an interpretive center at that location. If you are a US citizen, you can tour a training missile silo at Elsworth AFB near rapid city. They also have a museum. If you're traveling through North Dakota, I suggest stopping at the Ronald Reagan missile site in Cooperstown ND. We were the only two people that were there at the time. It's well worth the drive. Also, there is a peacekeeper silo that recently opened near Cheyenne Wyoming. I haven't been to that one yet. Mostly because the border is closed and I'm stuck in Canada.

[@3618499]

😲 " WOW!.... That carefree tunes defy the covert and delicate nature of transporting a horrific weapon of mass destruction across land. "

[@FlushCut]

What the fuck kind of boot licker are you? Covert? The interstate system was built explicitly for this purpose dumbass. Everybody and anybody saw these going down the roads. Delicate? Hardly. You could kick the warhead off a moving trailer into a granite wall and nothing will happen.

[@benedictlucchese9256]

I was lucky to get to go to VAFB to launch one. I lived in Knob Noster and worked at the further sites that belonged to the 509th SMS, including H. It brought back many memories.

[@stankrupinski6203]

Benedict, I also work on Hotel 1 as a cook back in the mid 60's (64-65-66)

[@KKEM641]

Sadly, Hotel is the only MAF that has been torn down, all it is now an empty lot.

[@064462]

More than a few times we saw a pool of sodium chromate G&C section coolant filing the top of the 3rd stage ( sodium chromate MGS coolant was treated with dioxin= Agent Orange ). I just had someone I know , who was CTT at Ellsworth then send to Vandyland die from a brain tumor in his head He was only 8 years older than me . . It scares the shit out of me .

[@maxx8011]

who cares

[@scootertooter6874]

@@maxx8011 That was really uncalled for-- 064462 served....I highly doubt you did. Grow up, please.

[@satanofficial3902]

May the Blessings of the Bomb Almighty, and the Fellowship of the Holy Fallout, descend upon us all. This day and forever more. Amen.

[@satanofficial3902]

And now, i reveal my inmost self...

[@arober9758]

Amazing job!!!

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Respect to these Air Force Missile guys, Repair guys, and Security Forces guys. They are our country's last defense and deterrence. I am just an old Airborne Infantry guy who jumped out of Air Force C-130s, and C-141s during training and went into combat in Panama and Iraq. The Air Force Missile folks have more destructive power than me in the US Army Airborne and Infantry back n the day and today. Greetings and salutations to you all! From a grateful nation and veteran of this great nation!

[@gozorak]

with all due respect, as a former PMT'er stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force base in the late 80's, you sell yourself short. It was and is your sacrifice and courage that is to be honored. All I did was turn wrenches, work on primary and backup power systems as well as environmental control systems down in the MX and Minuteman 3 silos and at the Launch Control Facility. An important job to be sure but not at all the same or as dangerous or important and you Airborne guys who were always called into action when the you know what hit the fan. The only danger we faced was apart from the occasional industrial type of accident was from rattlesnake bites and the dangers inherent from the excessive consumption of alcohol back on base and all the problems that can and often do accompany that excessive consumption. So, cheers and honors to you and your brethren my friend. you deserve our thanks and appreciations

[@ticklemeandillhurtyou5800]

I sleep good at night knowing these young men and women are down there ready to turn them keys

[@jamesroberts2115]

As a security policeman in the 321st SPS. at Grand Forks AFB in 1971-72 I wish I had a nickel for every pump stroke I made on those big effing blast doors downstairs at one of our missile sites after the LCF got an alarm at it. Checking the equipment and making sure the site was secure. Still remember my authentication code number 49 years later.

[@Idahorokon]

Thanks for posting. Great Content.

[@potgieterhuis1469]

Few things fascinate me like me like the American nuclear missile program of the cold war, would love to visit one of these site that have been turned into museums

[@jimsteele7209]

Here is your chance www.nps.gov/mimi/index.htm

[@gregorygallager4431]

I don't have a link, but there is a Titan II museum outside of Tucson, AZ.

[@anderspersen3260]

@@jimsteele7209 Thanks for sharing the link. Hope to visit there some day. Me am also super fascinated by these weapons.

[@anderspersen3260]

Potgieter huis, Same with me, absolutely fascinating stuff. Good to see I am not alone to think so.

[@lowercherty]

A little more security for movement now than 1970.

[@DeathBringer769]

Interesting. This was filmed before one of the closest calls, which happened during the Yom Kippur war in 1973 -- otherwise they would have surely mentioned that close-call incident ;)

[@SchuchDesigns]

At 10:26 did he say he got a sneak preview on Netflix? Pretty advanced for 50 years ago!

[@jeroengoubet]

The aliens who visited us on January 17, 1970 and who will visit us again 50 years later on January 17, 2020 told them. In the excitement it slipped…

[@zenoslayer9618]

Our family was stationed 63 to 65 in mountain home Idaho. Dad was called a missile system analyst he brought home slide rules paper work all the time. I never new as a 14 year old what in the world was going on

[@marcs990]

At the start, if my mate on the maintenance team after I had closed the gate had stopped that far down the road to wait for me I would be well pissed 🤬

[@statinskill]

If you're there, you're about to spend days even in an underground hole, your comrade is just making sure you get a little bit of extra fresh air.

[@marcs990]

Comrade? You sound like you might want then to spend a bit of extra time walking to vehicles lol 😂. Just kidding, but I doubt a maintenance crew would spend days underground. I think these guys would of the chance to go up top, that’s where their living quarters are anyhow in case of a long job. It’s the combat crews that get locked in n I don’t envy there job. It must be a bit worrisome spending all that time underground and not knowing if there had been any political sudden upset on the surface and be even more unsettling when an unplanned test is conducted, must be hard to be one of the guys who had to turn that key not knowing if you where starting WW3 🙈. I think I could do it but only in the full knowing that we where being attacked and I don’t think they had that luxury

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@marcs990 Crew underground have TV's and keep in touch with the crew upstairs and at other control centers. They're not totally closed off.

[@marcs990]

Zidders Roofurry you are correct they are not totally closed off, there is a phone link to the bunker from the security post but it’s not as thought they have constant updates from CNN or the BBC and the link between the post n the bunker isn’t used to give news updates, for those few days the bunker crew would not be aware of any sudden hiccups on the world stage.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@marcs990 I watched an interview with a former base commander who said when 9/11 happened they got a call to turn on CNN. My assumption was that they'd updated things a bit since this film was made.

[@stankrupinski6203]

This movie does not show what life was like at ground level were the security police, site mgr. and us cooks stayed doing our air force jobs daily like preparing, cooking, and serving 4 meals day to the missile officers, on-duty security police, site mage and any maintenance personnel who happen to be on-site for repairs. That is what life was like 24hours a day during our 3 day tour before this movie was made.

[@jimsteele7209]

You will get no argument from me on that. I never saw the completed film until 45+ years after it was done. I never had an opportunity to eat a meal at a LCF but I always heard the food was good. We usually ended up being told to take a box lunch and a P-38 if we wanted to eat.

[@richieestes706]

Pussy. I was a maintenance person and all you and the chefs did was bitch. You literally had to sit in one place with a pool table, chefs and cable tv and you bitched non stop. This show is accurate.

[@sharkheadism]

@@richieestes706 lmfao

[@briankelley7918]

This grass makes Thai stick taste like a oregano lay you out flat man.

[@user-cf1se1kk5x]

lol wargames

[@trivet1970]

no shortage of replacement parts.

[@darrellhall6622]

My late uncle was in the marines back during the Vietnam War. Before he was sent there, he and his unit was sent to Ohio (unlocated know) and built a missile slot in a city there. It was under a gas station which would be rolled out in the street if the missile was fire. He did not know this at the time. His brother who had a higher clearance told him what they build there. He told me this after I spoke about the old Nike Missile base in the Cleveland area where my college is located now (Cuyahoga Community College western) and how my dad did not understand what was protecting the city of Cleveland when the base was closed .

[@paulschab8152]

Yes, the Crile Military Hospital and now the current Western Campus for Tri-c once housed the Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules SAM Sytem (Nike Site CL-59). Back behind the Nike ball fields is Nathan Hale Park where the launch control facilities were and still stand. The city maintenance building used to be the maintenace depot for the site. The missiles were located off the front lawn of West Pleasant Valley. I believe there were 8 Nike Sites in Northeast Ohio.

[@MillerVanDotTV]

I’m sorry to say that is 100% fuddlore story time. With some very minor exception (gas station disguised SAM sites not being one of them) every deployed USA SAM a system has been a NIKE variant. I hope that he is simply confused

[@Idahorokon]

Looks like Knobnoster, MO ??

[@invetegon4596]

Imagine having an accident with a truck carrying A NUCLEAR MISSLE

[@DFWTF]

I think it's happened before !

[@MaxSolar-dd5wq]

That would be no peacekeeper. (booing noises)

[@stevepirie8130]

A WE 177b got dropped off a trailer in Germany. It was on a short journey to the transport plane to be flown back to the US for maintenance. Local community was told to stay indoors and close windows and the base all wore respirators until tests were done. The two threats were the weak Alpha particles if damage had occurred and the casing cracked. The big hazard was the explosives in the tail designed to fire the tail off when dropped on target. Needless to say a lot of people got removed quickly from post.

[@jamesroberts2115]

The missiles were transported without warheads. They were fitted later.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

Anyone notice the guy closing the door violates the 'no lone zone' rule?

[@maxx8011]

camera man anyone?

[@barkermjb]

The rule applies to the inside of the capsule. When he was closing the door, there were a total of four combat crew members inside the NLZ, two off-going and two on-coming. NLZ applies to areas containing nuclear weapons and/or their initiation or launch control areas. Although I’m not sure if the video showed signage, but the inside the missile launch facility (where the missile is located) is also a NLZ requiring a minimum of two cleared members at all times.

[@operatorjeffdeathstar7759]

The deputy opened the door, obviously the commander stays at the controls while his deputy opens the vault door. Two men inside , two outside...

[@studinthemaking]

I bet the soviets loved watching this video.

[@janaloisdietrich7060]

studinthemaking I bet the soviets know excactly where ICBM was standing....

[@rapman5363]

The Soviets knew every silo location and launch center. So what we had them and were prepared to use them. P.s we knew all the Soviets locations and codes anyway so what’s your point?

[@qualitywoodcarving]

All obsolete and declassified long ago. I worked in the E-lab where we fixed the drawers they removed. Stationed at Vandenburg AFB. I was very fortunate to see many test launches of the Minuteman.

[@user-cf1se1kk5x]

@@rapman5363 what about the mobile launchers?

[@rapman5363]

@@user-cf1se1kk5x what about them?

[@johnkliegle9174]

Lights out

[@PhunkBustA]

11:23 you can tell the camera man got them to pose 😂so cheesy

[@LMTDDS]

Listen to what the TSgt says at 22:58. Sounds like he says "I'm an a-hole."

[@Zoomer30]

The road between Bismarck and Minot would have disappeared if we had had a full nuclear exchange with the USSR.

[@robrourke5197]

Been there, seen that. 44SMW

[@rl64rl]

Rob Rourke SSAS: S***, S*****, and S***** . . . 😳😂 . . . I kid! I’m the son of a Black Hills Bandit, but a PK operator myself. Thanks for your service.

[@bishopioanlightoller5302]

This was very interesting. the narrator is right--the Atlantic and Pacific can no longer protect us. Let's hope no one in Washington does anything stupid enough to get another world leader--or even multiple leaders--to have a go at turning our country into one big ol' glass parking lot

[@bawbremy]

Narrator sounds like John Facenda of NFL Films.

[@lonasimpresasmonterrey7599]

AMAZING VIDEO, I LIKE EVERYTHING RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY AEROESPACIAL GREETINGS FROM Monterrey Mexico

[@janruudschutrups9382]

8:18 "I'll have 2 number 9's, a number 9 large, a number 6 extra dip..."

[@johnkliegle9174]

Come get some

[@johnkliegle9174]

Lets do a little test fam

[@johnkliegle9174]

Half hour

[@Prairielander]

At 22:37 does it really have standard screws?

[@jimsteele7209]

I’m sure they were very expensive standard screws

[@FlushCut]

You mean slotted? No those are not slotted.

[@johnkliegle9174]

Wipe out all the above

[@stijnvandamme76]

12m13, clear violation of the no lone zone.. there was only 1 person there to open the blast door, so he was a lone.

[@operatorjeffdeathstar7759]

"Clearly" you are some idiot...

[@johnkliegle9174]

Of me

[@johnkliegle9174]

Before

[@Zoomer30]

The new box cost $42k.

[@knightlife98]

I thought that's what he said..., I was shocked when he called out the price of that thing...!?

[@Dickusification]

42k in today's dollars would be a lot of dough.

[@knightlife98]

@@Dickusification If we are talking 1970's, that thing would cost approximately, $289,000 these days...! >.>

[@rodrigofonseca6241]

The Minuteman.. LOL! A piece of scrap metal when compared to the mighty Sarmat 2 or the hypersonic Mach 27 Avangard.

[@johnkliegle9174]

Rookie

[@TheWhitde]

Irony is... if these are used means they have failed in their goal of being a deterrence and someone is about to get a spanking.

[@MillerVanDotTV]

That’s why we have SSBNs underwater. Which are not needed if a sufficiently debilitating and surprising first strike is employed. Even a large first strike would keep some rounds in reserve.( also silos were theoretically reloadable)

[@johnkliegle9174]

I love u

[@RHoonte]

what is the location of the site used in this film?

[@jimsteele7209]

I don’t remember but I would guess most of it was filmed in Oscar flight.

[@KKEM641]

The first one, which was the LCC, was Bravo-1, located about 2 miles south of I-70 and US 65. The second one, Oscar 8, was about a 5.25 miles south of Whiteman AFB, on MO Route 23. The third one, Hotel 2, was located about 3 miles NNE of El Dorado Springs on MO Route H.

[@hawkbudd6671]

@@jimsteele7209 Video said it was Hotel 2

[@joeminpa6705]

at 15:41 - is that a C166B?

[@jimsteele7209]

Don’t remember

[@johnkliegle9174]

Firefox

[@EM-ig7ib]

Thank God the use of these was never required. Our entire ability to retaliate was hinged on station wagons like the one they rolled up at the gates of Vandenburg in. All the Russians needed to know was when rush hour started. You take LA traffic into consideration and the Russian Missiles would have already been producing mushroom clouds over the city before these guys ever got off the 5 freeway.

[@MikeS309]

Michael Smith except that these sites were manned 24/7. Rush hour wouldn’t matter at all.

[@maxx8011]

there is nothing like "god", c´mon overcome this stupid illusion

[@aeroAdvocate]

What are you talking about? These were crew exchanges and maintenance. Missile Silos are manned 24/7.

[@johnkliegle9174]

Dont make me do this

[@jeffreystroman2811]

Absolutely unlimited funds, full support of the population and all you have to do is make a few cheesy videos scaring the shit out of everyone. Don't get me wrong, the men and women involved have my utmost respect and I am grateful. My point is that we got through this then and the military industrial complex wants it back so bad they have television media and politicians accusing Trump of collusion for their purpose, not ours

[@jodybanks5344]

You said it brother may we all keep our senses sharp and underwear clean in the following days as we march through our country is faced with its own existence both internal and external threats we face. Videos like this give me courage and calmness in my belief that when things get bad. I have a feeling God hasn’t forgotten about our devotion to his words . And his sons promise to the world is about to occur. God bless Donald Trump our nations greatest president ever

[@johnkliegle9174]

Im done playing gamers

[@dpetrano]

Nuclear retaliation = guaranteed fallout death for ALL survivors everywhere on Earth = MAD.

[@thetruth7633]

What a nice piece of 60s government propaganda, the makers forgot to tell that the Allies raced to Peenemünde to get the German war technology and Von Braun and probably offered him carte blanche :) (either that or go to jail). But it is good that the footage is safed and put on YT. 15:18 LOL , a new coupler "be careful that's 42 grand" imagine the cost of the site built and maintenance :O 22:38 be careful not to drop the socket that was kind of a problem in Damascus in 1980 :) (Titan 2 accident)

[@ninasazonova2511]

Another failure of Minuteman III brought me here...

[@DrBobaliscious]

I have more than 6,000 hours personally operating the Minuteman III CDB weapon system during the 1980's. Whether used as a first strike weapon or a revenge weapon, If the President ordered me to launch a nuclear bomb on anyone, I would have done it without question! So, enemies of the United States, MANY Combat Crew felt the same as me! We didn't leave a "red mist", we vaporized the red mist. We might leave your shadow though!

[@lowpinglag]

Greeting from Europe, Denmark. Thank you for your service, without the nuclear deterrence, the Soviet Union would most certainly have overrun all of western Europe. Growing up during the cold war, was a strange time. I'm glad it's over and nothing but a memory.

[@franksturgis9118]

DrBobaliscious hello from Atlanta Ga , thank you very much for your brave service 🇺🇸💪🏼🇺🇸💪🏼🇺🇸

[@scootertooter6874]

Awesome Bobaliscious...but many were the day we would go on alert, glance at the names on the MADO, and realize it was only gonna be my crew + ABNCP if the shit hit the fan...

[@HardCase1911]

Heard they had some sweet thai stick down in those tubes.

[@victabeer3960]

We want to know about the UFO's playing with missiles.

[@064462]

No, you don't .

[@stanley1554]

The Russian Federation has avant-garde ICBMs that can travel at Mach 26, change direction and stay aloft indefinitely while delivering 26 nuclear payloads. And we've got the Minuteman, wonderful...

[@nutsackmania]

lol we have d5 trident idiot

[@FlushCut]

@@nutsackmania Who is the idiot? The one responding to lies? Lies so blatant most would call it.... trolling.

[@scooter2kool173]

Meanwhile the crazy ruskies are getting warning lites and installing electrical tape over issue lites

[@charlieangkor8649]

today they just click off 7 popup ads and tap a red button on the touchscreen of their latest iPhone and a cloud enabled launch app downloaded from Apple Store and if they forgot the launch codes their keyboard prediction autocomplete still suggests it according to data stored in the Apple cloud servers. And if their 4G connection on their iPhone hasnt currently frozen up, the missile may even successfully launch. Technology has gone miles forward since those ancient primitive unsophisticated times.

[@jimsteele4489]

great vid