If you’re a fan of the 1983 movie “War Games,” you’ll understand the title of this post. If not, put down your laptop, watch that movie, and come back prepared for our next tour. If you’d rather read an excellent summary of what the Titan Missile Museum is all about (and watch the movie later), read on.

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit So Long Snow 2022.

Providing a Deterrent to Nuclear War

Located in Green Valley, AZ, the Titan Missile Museum was only about half an hour from our hotel in Tucson. When I visited with my brothers several years ago, I knew that if Jim and I were ever in this neck of the woods again, we would have to stop. I apologize if this is one of my more stumbling posts. Military stuff is in Jim’s wheelhouse, not mine.

The end of World War II brought with it the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. “Once both sides had the ability to exterminate not only each other, but the entire human race, a direct conflict between the two became virtually unthinkable.” ~ READ MORE (left)

The US and the USSR came close to a confrontation only once – during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. Luckily this tense, 13-day political and military standoff came to a peaceful conclusion. The USSR would dismantle its missiles in Cuba (that were 90 miles off the coast of Florida) if the Americans removed their missile installations in Turkey (which were aimed at the Soviet Union).

The Front Line of the Cold War

Once one of America’s most top secret places, this well-preserved missile site is now a National Historic Landmark, offering tours to millions of visitors. Although the technology looks antiquated by today’s standards, from 1963 to 1987 it was one of 54 sites on high alert across the United States to deter nuclear war.

The site was staffed 24/7/365 by a four-person missile combat crew (two officers and two enlisted) who were deployed for 24-hour shifts called alerts. Click here for a great map with a photo of each level of the site.

Our Tour Begins

The Access Portal drops about 35 feet with 55 steps, and leads to the underground missile complex, a freight elevator and the Entrapment Area. The entrapment area was used to confine personnel entering the complex until their entry authority was confirmed.

Connecting the outside world and the underground missile complex, the Blast Lock Area begins at the foot of the stairs in the Access Portal. Two sets of 3-ton steel blast doors and 3-foot thick concrete and steel walls protected the crew from nearby nuclear detonations, intruders and hazardous conditions in the missile silo.

DEFCON 1

The Launch Control Center was where the crew could monitor the condition of the missile site and the missile — and launch if ordered to do so. At least two crew members had to be present at all times and one of them had to be an officer. Our guide proceeded to simulate an actual launch of the missile.

Even though it was all a simulation, it was quite stressful, since every step required authentication, all while the clock was ticking towards nuclear annihilation. I can’t imagine the stress when a real launch was always a possibility.

Whew, We’re Still Here!

“Then you’ll journey down the cableway to level 2 of the missile silo to get an up-close look at the Titan II missile itself (through glass). This tour lets you experience Cold War paranoia and American ingenuity while walking in the footsteps of the brave men and women who operated America’s largest land-based missile ever deployed.” ~ READ MORE

Back to Ground Level

“Guests are encouraged to explore the surface of the complex after their tour of the silo. On the topside, visitors will see the alarm systems, known as tipsies, that secured the missile silo door, get to look at the engine up-close, and more. There is also a spectacular view of the missile from up above! Looking down into the 146-foot missile silo you will see the Titan II Missile standing tall as it did on Alert for over 20 years.”

In later years when all missiles were to be destroyed, the Air Force thought it important to keep one site for historical purposes. In the last photo below, you’ll see a notch out of the cone. This notch can be seen from a satellite and proves that the missile is not operational, so this missile site can continue to offer tours and tell the story of those tumultuous times.

Spoiler Alert

Back to the movie War Games: when Joshua (the computer who is performing simulations of who would win a “game” of Thermonuclear War), Joshua replies, “A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?”

Next up: San Xavier del Bac Mission

Happy trails,
Barb