While we were staying at Badlands National Park, we took part of a day for a tour of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which was established in 1999. Minuteman II missile sites were deactivated after the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in 1991. The National Park Service worked to preserve one of the sites to show the significance of the Cold War, the arms race, and the dedication of USAF personnel.
Our tour started here at the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility.
A Delta Flight Peacekeeper vehicle used by the security personnel to patrol the facilities.
This bedroom has been preserved as it was in 1991.
The dining and lounge area are still furnished as they were when it was closed down. Even the magazines and books from 1991 were left in place.
The door into the underground control room.
Underground launch control center at Delta-01.
Looking out from the launch control building.
This part of the tour was at the Delta-09 Launch Facility a few miles from the control.
You can see the heavy door that would normally be over the missile. The glass dome on the right was put in place to give us a view down to the missile.
