Peace Through Deterrence (01-04-12)

   The Peace Through Deterrence policy was adopted many years ago by the U.S. military, and basically refers to the idea that the best way for us to keep peace is with our military strength and nuclear capability,  To that end, many nuclear missiles were built and housed in missile silos in the U.S.. and aimed at our enemy of the day, the Russians.  Those of us with a few years under our belts remember the Cold War and how uncertain life could seem back then.  Life has changed in many ways since then, and I think we, the general public,  have grown quite complacent in recent years.
The reason I bring this up is because Paul and I had an interesting visit at the Titan II Missile Museum in Arizona. But before I go into details, here’s an update on my wrist:
I am sporting a beautiful new blue cast, which is much more comfortable than the splint was.  The bones are lined up well enough that unless they move, I won’t need surgery.  I will go back to the doctor next week for more X-rays to make that determination.  In the meantime I am trying not to use it much, although it’s hard because of the frustration factor.  Yes, Linda, I am right handed, so really, I am pretty lucky in that regard.
I have added some “stylin” new sneakers to my wardrobe, to allay some of the aforementioned frustration, and my too cute husband thinks I need to wear the bracelet the hospital gave me for a little while longer, haha.











So, on to the missile silo:

This picture is of a 1970s test launch of the Titan II ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile), from an underground silo similar to the one we visited. I wanted to show it to give the second picture some perspective.

This picture was taken by me, looking down into the silo at the rocket, from the glass enclosure at the top.  Its hard to see, but the rocket is 103 feet tall, all underground.

The tour was two-pronged, giving us information about both the structure itself, and the lives of the people who were assigned to the silo.
The interior wall was built to survive a nuclear attack. The  walls were steel reinforced cement, up to 8’ thick.  This door alone weighs 6000 lbs.  Its swings 1/4 inch above the floor and has not shifted or sagged since it was built over 30 years ago.

The entire hallway is full of shock absorbers, and the interior rooms are on springs.  On the surface there are over 10 radio antennas, of varying designs, to ensure that the people inside would not lose contact with military commanders. One antenna is over 100 ft tall, but like the missile, it is mostly underground and would have been raised up if it had been needed.

       The Silo was manned by 4 military personnel at all times.  The crew worked in 24 hour shifts and could bring things like books, to keep themselves occupied when not busy.  There was also a kitchen to prepare meals and bunks so they could sleep if they wanted.  Actually getting into the silo was a process.There were 4 phone calls they had to make to gain entry into each subsequent section.  Before leaving the nearby base for their shift, they were given a code that would get them in the gate. From the time they went through the gate they had 3 minutes to get to the next phone.  If they didn’t make it, the entire place shut down, and an emergency would be declared. Once they got through the 2nd call, they were being watched on camera as they walked down a flight of stairs to the next phone. If something looked wrong to the people inside, a button would be pushed, trapping them in the staircase, with no way out.    The only place the crew could be alone was in the crew quarters.  Everywhere else in the silo was a No Lone Zone, for safety and security reasons.

The control room was the main hub, of course, and at least one of the two officers had to be in this room at all times, in case launch orders were received.  If that were to happen, the scenario would play out just about how we see it in the movies- each officer with one code, and one key, multiple boxes that have to be unlocked etc.  If the codes match those in the box, they move on to the next step, right up to  them turning their keys simultaneously, about 7 feet apart from each other.

If you look, you can see the huge spring in the background-one of the ones that the room rides on.

Two interesting things I learned: that Star Trek: First Contact was filmed here,  and that the military, in addition to using a 24 hr. clock to reduce confusion regarding AM and PM, also uses Greenwich Meantime as a standard time, to reduce potential confusion by not having to factor in time zones.  Its called Zulu Time.