"Glory Trips"....Ah yes i remember them quite well. This was as close to a real TDY that anyone of use Missile Guys would ever see in our careers.
Had the chance in 89 and, 91 to represent Minot AFB on two of these myself. I was bestowed the honor of driving both Semi Trucks containing the *Weapon* and, the entire Downstages to LF-04 for their launches. I remember the winding roads that seemed to go on forever up to the North Base launch sites and, all the BRASS that was standing along the turnouts taking pictures and, video.
It was definitely a time NOT to #$@% things up...
I still stay in touch with some of the old crew, they are all long retired now and, many in the area have promised to get me back into MAFB if i ever want too see the trainer facility.
Things i remember the most from both trips...
1. Stopping at Hill AFB to pick up some specialty tools and, taking a tour of our Depot maintenance facility...and, learning that some of our transport equipment now used Russian sourced bearings in the pivot assemblies.
Seems the American source that built the vehicles to transport Nuclear ICBM parts had dried up and, the only available parts in the world-came from Russia.
Isn't that ironic?
2. The missile site Porta-Pot being busy, so a few of us just wandered up to the west gate line and, "Shook our Wieners at the ever present Russian trawlers off the coast line."
3. Assembling the Warhead package in 89 and, after i was done having a DOD official shove a pile of paperwork at me to sign saying that i didn't see what i saw.
"Remember it's *only* a test(ing) launch...right? Right...Didn't see a thing...I'll take that one to my grave...Don't ask.
4. Playing a round of golf on Vandenberg's pristine golf course. (Don't hit the White Tail Deer with a ball! FORE!!!)
5. Getting back from a long work day on the site to discover that we had some Army guys also staying in Base Billeting along with us.
Apparently they had never slept/stayed in a place with walls and, a roof over their heads...They decided that the hallways were their own private playground and, proceeded to raise quite a ruckus. WEEE!
After one of these *Boy Scouts* told my NCOIC of our launch crew to #$%@ Off! We had a great view (withing minutes) of a squad of Air Force Law Enforcement Officers handcuffing (face down on the carpeted floors) a gaggle/bafoonery/troop of these clowns...before they were escorted OFF Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Many good memories, many great dedicated hard working guys who never had any a chance to shine anywhere else and, many great sunsets over the Pacific ocean everynight.
Congratulations to the 741st. on another successful launch!
I consider ALL members current or past of the US armed forces to be my brothers and, sisters....but, IF you ever disgrace the USAF in my presence-
You'll be directed to what *Orifice* you can shove a pile of sand up.
