Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
Jenni and I visit the Titan Missile Museum off I19 on the way to Nogales.
Jenni and I visit the Titan Missile Museum off I19 on the way to Nogales.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The rocket engine belonging to the first stage of the missile
The rocket engine belonging to the first stage of the missile
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The rocket engine belonging to the second (final) stage of the missile
The rocket engine belonging to the second (final) stage of the missile
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The Titan Missile II re-entry vehicle houses the 9 megaton warhead.
The Titan Missile II re-entry vehicle houses the 9 megaton warhead.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The above-ground fueling facility. Level 8, at 140 feet underground, houses the propellant pumps.
The above-ground fueling facility. Level 8, at 140 feet underground, houses the propellant pumps.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The 103 foot Titan II missile inside the silo has neither warhead nor fuel. The dummy reentry vehicle on the missile has a prominent hole cut in it to prove it is inert. All of the support facilities at the site remain intact, complete with all of their original equipment
The 103 foot Titan II missile inside the silo has neither warhead nor fuel. The dummy reentry vehicle on the missile has a prominent hole cut in it to prove it is inert. All of the support facilities at the site remain intact, complete with all of their original equipment
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
In accordance with a US/USSR agreement, the silo doors are permanently blocked from opening more than half way.
In accordance with a US/USSR agreement, the silo doors are permanently blocked from opening more than half way.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The silo became operational in 1963 and was deactivated in 1982 as part of President Reagan's policy (announced in 1981) of decommissioning the Titan II missiles.
The silo became operational in 1963 and was deactivated in 1982 as part of President Reagan's policy (announced in 1981) of decommissioning the Titan II missiles.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The underground portion of the missile site is accessed by a flight of 55 steps in the Access Portal.
The underground portion of the missile site is accessed by a flight of 55 steps in the Access Portal.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The hardened underground silo has eight levels protected by 3 ton blast doors and 8 foot thick concrete walls.
The hardened underground silo has eight levels protected by 3 ton blast doors and 8 foot thick concrete walls.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The facility's highest state of alert was November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was shot. The keys used to launch the missile were ordered to be placed on the tables at the launch consoles in readiness for a possible launch.
The facility's highest state of alert was November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was shot. The keys used to launch the missile were ordered to be placed on the tables at the launch consoles in readiness for a possible launch.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The Pentagon did not yet know whether the Soviet Union had committed an act of war. The keys were not, however, placed in their switches. It's a sickening thought that this much destructive power is in the hands of a few Dr Strangeloves.
The Pentagon did not yet know whether the Soviet Union had committed an act of war. The keys were not, however, placed in their switches. It's a sickening thought that this much destructive power is in the hands of a few Dr Strangeloves.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
Orders from the National Command Authority would have specified one of three pre-programmed targets which, for security reasons, were unknown to the crew. As our tour guide said, if the button had been pressed, none of us would be here today.
Orders from the National Command Authority would have specified one of three pre-programmed targets which, for security reasons, were unknown to the crew. As our tour guide said, if the button had been pressed, none of us would be here today.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The control room is suspended on huge springs to isolate it from the rocket's launch.
The control room is suspended on huge springs to isolate it from the rocket's launch.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The Titan Missile sites dismantled are: 18 sites around McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas; 17 sites around Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; and 17 other sites around Davis-Monthan AFB and Tucson except for this one.
The Titan Missile sites dismantled are: 18 sites around McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kansas; 17 sites around Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; and 17 other sites around Davis-Monthan AFB and Tucson except for this one.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
Nuclear missiles are highly toxic even at rest. An inactive warhead is relatively harmless compared to the propellant used to launch the missile into space.
Nuclear missiles are highly toxic even at rest. An inactive warhead is relatively harmless compared to the propellant used to launch the missile into space.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Titan Missile Museum
The Titan II was the largest operational land based nuclear missile ever used by the United States. The missile had one W53 warhead with a yield of 9 Megatons.
The Titan II was the largest operational land based nuclear missile ever used by the United States. The missile had one W53 warhead with a yield of 9 Megatons.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Nogales on the US Mexico border
That's the actual US Mexico border. One side of the fence, Arizona, is wealthy and the other side, Sonora, is poor.
That's the actual US Mexico border. One side of the fence, Arizona, is wealthy and the other side, Sonora, is poor.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Nogales on the US Mexico border
Looking into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Nogales is a Spanish word meaning "walnut trees" and it refers to the large stands of walnut trees that once stood in the mountain pass where Nogales is located.
Looking into Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Nogales is a Spanish word meaning "walnut trees" and it refers to the large stands of walnut trees that once stood in the mountain pass where Nogales is located.
Thursday 2004-03-18 Nogales on the US Mexico border
We weren't even slightly tempted to do so.
We weren't even slightly tempted to do so.
Nogales