Titan Missile Site Tour

Even though we have been camping at Catalina State Park for over a decade, each time we're here, we try to see something new or go to a place we've never been to before.  This year, we made the 45 minute trip to Green Valley to go on a tour through the Titan Missile Site.

One of the reasons I wanted to visit here is because on of my favorite bosses from American Express now works here part time.  Judie has a great sense of humor and we worked together both in the financial group and one of the technology groups.  All I can say is that I am ever grateful that I am retired and no longer have to deal with all that stress!  Amen.

During the 1960's we grew up in the Cold War Era.  Russia was an ever present enemy.  So, as a deterrent for an out and out war, the U.S. had 3 states, each with 18 Titan Missiles, ready to launch.  Tucson was surrounded by missile sites, all manned 24/7.  Below is a map showing the locations.

One interesting fact is that the sites were one continuous cement pour, so there are no concrete seams.  All the inside steel is welded, creating an absolutely airtight environment.  Steel doors are eight inches thick.  Sleeping and eating quarters were separate, and the lunch room was the only area where you could be alone.  Everywhere else, there were two people required, reducing the risk of sabotage.

Our tour started outside, taking us 55 steps down into the earth.  Anyone over 6 feet had to wear a hard hat.  That's why you see some guys with hard hats, and some without.  None needed by the ladies!

At the heart of the site was the command center.  Crews were changed out every few days.  The tour guide in the red shirt explained how many safeguards were put into place so no missile would ever be sent on it's way by mistake.  Only two people on each shift had access to the keys in the safe and knew the passwords that were needed.  Even if the decision was made to launch, the two keys had to be turned within seconds of each other by the commander and second in command (standing feet apart).  The missile here could be launched within 58 seconds! 

Behind the command center was this clock, which must be military since I had trouble figuring out what time it was.  Also behind the center was a clock set to Greenwich Standard time.  I was glad I had on my own watch, which was around 11:30.

We traversed the long, metal hallways over to see the actual missile in the silo.

Though no longer armed, it still is an impressive sight.  The missile itself is 100 feet tall.  All the sites were active for about 20 years.  By the 1980's they had been replaced by newer, updated ones.

This is what the outside now looks like.  The cover to the silo is permanently locked in the half open position, signifying that it's no longer operational.  Each site had multiple radio communications, some located above the ground, others underground that could be raised up at a moment's notice.

 View from the outside, looking down into the silo.

The Cold War is over, though we still have to distrust Russia to this very day.  The only thing to worry about at this place are the rattlesnakes!  Signs were everywhere.  Judie, my former boss, had been cornered by a large one inside the visitor center one day.  Yikes!

As I've stated before, the only good snake is a dead one!  My apologies to the non-venomous ones.