Turn Your Key Sir!

Headed out to the Titan Missile Museum some 25 miles south of Tucson first thing Friday morning.  The museum is the only preserved Titan II silo and deactivated Titan II ICBM of the 54 silos in service from 1963 until 1982 when they were phased out by President Regan.  This was the first ICBM that was launch capable within one minute making it quite effective as a weapon system of deterrence. The silo complexes were located near Air Force bases in Tucson, Wichita and Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Entrance to Complex 571-7

The museum gives a nice hour long guided tour that includes the silo and the launch control center.  Afterwards you’re free to explore the topside of the complex.  The museum was also used as a filming location for the 1988 made for television docudrama “Disaster at Silo 7” based on the true events of a fuel leak and explosion at a Titan silo in Arkansas.  Also scenes for the 1996 Star Trek: First Contact were filmed in the silo showing the preparations for the first warp drive ship as the Enterprise D goes back in time to preserve history.

 

This is the actual launch commanders key switch and it does take two keys turned simultaneously by two different officers.

This way to the silo

Time to target 30 minutes

9 megaton warhead

Watch out Mr. Putin, I have my own key
 

   

  

After the Titan Missile Museum we stopped at the Walmart around the corner (No when this was an active complex there was nothing nearby, but things change.) to get some dog treats.  Headed back into the city to do some sightseeing and at dusk took some photos of neon signs along their “Miracle Mile” section of town.