Built With Bad Intentions

I recently traveled waaay out into the middle of nowhere for a tour of the Titan II Missile Base. The Titan II Missile Base, more formally known as Titan II ICBM Site 571-7, is located in the Arizona desert about 20km south of Tucson, and is what would be commonly referred to as a "Nuclear missile base."

The complex is a massive 8 level facility located 140ft underground, hardened against potential nuclear attack, and protected at ground level by Doppler ground intrusion radar installations. The Titan II missile inside the launch silo is 103ft tall, uses hypergolic propellant for immediate launch, and was equipped with a W53 warhead yielding 9 Megatons. I say "was" equipped, as the warhead has been deactivated pursuant to the 1981 SALT Treaty.

Not a Good Place to Trespass. Use of Deadly Force Authorized

Doesn't Look Like Much from the Surface

Spare Re-Entry Vehicle For the Top of the Missile

Looking Down at the Missile From the Top of the Silo

Let's Head Down Into the Complex

For Security Reasons, Everybody is Armed and Nobody can be Alone at Any Time. You Watch Me, I Watch You...

This is the Launch Control Center

The Red Safe is Where the Launch Order Confirmation Codes are Kept

Two Keys on Opposite Sides of the Room Must be Turned at the Same Time to Initiate Launch. There is No Stopping the Launch After That...

Missiles Away. You'll Need Something to Read While You Wait for Incoming

It Must Have Served Its Purpose... The Flag is Still Flying

The Titan II Missile Base was definitely built with bad intentions. Everything gives off that vibe, from the massive blast doors and reinforced concrete walls to the rooms that are entirely suspended on massive spring coils to absorb shock waves. However, we lived in a different world back then and were facing some very real threats to our security and way of life. I hope the Titan II Missile Base is kept up and continues to offer tours to the public so today's and tomorrow's kids can get a glimpse of what the Cold War was like for us.