Air Force Missile Site 8 - That Nearly Began World War 3
Nov 10 2011
Retired top-secret installations are nothing short of jaw-dropping, and this one definitely does not fail to impress. This top secret facility was also once known as Titan II ICBM Site 571-7 because of the massive Titan II missile that it housed inside of it.
Located about 15 miles south of Tucson, this large 8 level installation is now a museum. During the time of its operation it was one of the most important missile sites.
The road to Site 8. Photo by Ryan Janek Wolowski.
It doesn't seem like much above ground, but that is until you descend into the complex.
The view from the surface – hard to believe that there is a 100 foot missile inside! Photo by David Rose.
Due to its location, everyone is warned to watch for rattlesnakes. Photo by sonny_judy@Flickr.
During the 1963 President Kennedy assassination, this facility was put on full alert. The keys used to launch the missile were ordered to be placed on the tables at the launch consoles to prepare for a possible launch.
The length of the corridors is unbelievable. Photo by veggiesteph@Flickr.
The Pentagon did not yet know if the Soviet Union has committed an act of war. Luckily the keys were never placed into their switches during this time. If the launch was ordered, National Command Authority would have specified a location out of the three per-programmed targets which, for security reasons (to avoid any human emotion), were not known to the crew.
3-foot thick blast doors seal the silo in case of a retaliation. Photo by John Martin.
Photo by Texas Flyer@Flickr.
The main control room of the silo. Photo by Steve Reeves.
This is now a historical site, and a museum run by a non profit organization. Definitely an amazing place to visit!
Photo by didimouman@Flickr.
One of the interfaces for the insertion of the readiness keys. Photo by didimouman@Flickr.
Photo by Telstar Logistics.
The intelligence required for the crew in case of a missile launch. Photo by Telstar Logistics.
Nuclear missiles, even at rest, are highly toxic. This isn't due to the fact that the missile holds a 9 Megaton warhead, but the fact that fuels and such are extremely toxic. All the personnel maintaining the missiles had to wear suits.
Photo by Todd & Barbara Hammond.
Photo by Alex Lovell-Troy.
The Titan II was the largest operational land-based nuclear missile ever used by the United States.
The view of the disabled Titan II Missile and its warhead. Photo by veggiesteph@Flickr.
Photo by Zach Brown.
The view of the rocket from below. Photo by John Berndt.
The blast chambers that handle the rocket takeoff. Photo by didimouman@Flickr.
The cutaway drawing of the facility.
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