The Minuteman & E-4B NAOC

[Winston]

Primed for Defense - The Minuteman

LCF and LCC entry starting at 8:15. Later shown is the complex, secure maintenance entry and manual missile safing procedure before LRU replacment and, later, a missile guidance and control section removal and replacement process and alignment, all of which is shown. Very cool.:

"This movie about the Minuteman Missile System was filmed at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO in 1969 or 1970."



Minuteman guidance and control section:

Oscar Zero - Former Minuteman Nuclear Missile Combat Crew Commander Describes the Launch Process



Missile Launch Control Center ["Why not Minot? Freezin's the reason."]



Minuteman III

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Awesome, but I'm amazed they allowed this. Looking at the hardware panels gives a good idea about everything it can do.

Guided Tour Inside the E-4B NAOC Doomsday Plane

 

[Winston]

Airborne Launch Control System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_Launch_Control_System
The Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) provides a survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. The ALCS is operated by airborne missileers from Air Force Global Strike Command's (AFGSC) 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The weapon system is located on board the United States Navy's E-6B Mercury, which serves as USSTRATCOM's "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). The ALCS crew is integrated into the ABNCP battle staff and is on alert around-the-clock.

AFGSC tests unarmed Minuteman III from airborne control center
August 04, 2020

https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Artic...missile-launched-from-airborne-navy-aircraft/
A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy sailors launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test reentry vehicles from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System at 12:21 a.m. Pacific Time Aug. 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.



Test Of Minuteman III ICBM With Three Reentry Vehicles Sure Seems Like A Warning To Russia (Updated)
The Air Force currently fields operational Minuteman IIIs with just one warhead each to help meet international treaty obligations.
AUGUST 4, 2020

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...-vehicles-sure-seems-like-a-warning-to-russia
The U.S. Air Force has conducted a scheduled test launch of an LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with a very unusual load of three unarmed reentry vehicles. All operational Minuteman IIIs are presently armed with only one warhead in a single reentry vehicle as part of the United States' obligations on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, making this a unique, but timely test considering the geopolitical landscape.

 

[Knuckledragger]

Airborne Launch Control System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_Launch_Control_System
The Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) provides a survivable launch capability for the United States Air Force's LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force. The ALCS is operated by airborne missileers from Air Force Global Strike Command's (AFGSC) 625th Strategic Operations Squadron (STOS) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The weapon system is located on board the United States Navy's E-6B Mercury, which serves as USSTRATCOM's "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post (ABNCP). The ALCS crew is integrated into the ABNCP battle staff and is on alert around-the-clock.

AFGSC tests unarmed Minuteman III from airborne control center
August 04, 2020

https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Artic...missile-launched-from-airborne-navy-aircraft/
A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy sailors launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with three test reentry vehicles from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System at 12:21 a.m. Pacific Time Aug. 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.



Test Of Minuteman III ICBM With Three Reentry Vehicles Sure Seems Like A Warning To Russia (Updated)
The Air Force currently fields operational Minuteman IIIs with just one warhead each to help meet international treaty obligations.
AUGUST 4, 2020

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...-vehicles-sure-seems-like-a-warning-to-russia
The U.S. Air Force has conducted a scheduled test launch of an LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with a very unusual load of three unarmed reentry vehicles. All operational Minuteman IIIs are presently armed with only one warhead in a single reentry vehicle as part of the United States' obligations on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, making this a unique, but timely test considering the geopolitical landscape.

Looking Glass was an USAF EC-135 mission flown in conjunction with the Navy E-6 TACAMO. I launched and recovered all three of the airborne command platforms but never heard Navy referred to as Looking Glass. When you sit on the apron next to one of them and realize how close they have been to performing their mission Real World, it makes you appreciate that they haven't had to!

 

[vcp]

In the '70's I worked crypto maintenance on the Looking Glass EC-135's out of Ellsworth. Didn't fly in them, just turned wrenches. It's incredibly sobering to be in that aircraft. On overhead consoles, about halfway back in the main cabin, starboard side, there are sets of thumbwheel switches. labeled (AFAICR) "MISSLE WING" and "SILO". Just little thumbwheel switches to select any ICBM in the US. Dial-a-disaster. And of course the launch key switches.

Standard humor was to send the newbie into the cabin to get a screwdriver out of the 'red toolbox'. (It's empty and unlocked when we're in the aircraft.) Of course, lifting the lid sets off the clacker that lets you know it's NOT a toolbox.

I also worked crypto in the SAC command post at Ellsworth. Job there was to monitor the SATIN comm system. SATIN's purpose was to allow real-time updating of missile guidance systems. I got a Missileman badge for that even though I never came near a missile.

And in between those jobs was maintaining the AUTOSEVOCOM system (secure voice).