Minuteman bases

Minuteman bases at the height of the Cold War were located at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; Minot AFB, N.D.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; and Grand Forks AFB, N.D. Inland locations in sparsely-populated areas were ideal for very large bases that would be targets for enemy missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Minuteman III composite site map

ICBM bases cover thousands of acres because missiles must be widely dispersed to avoid destruction in an enemy attack. This map of missile fields around F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., shows locations of flights containing 10 missiles each. A single launch control facility served all the missiles in a flight. (Adapted from Historic American Engineering Record, National Park Service, Clayton B. Fraser, 1997.)

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Minuteman missile comparison

Over the years, four Minuteman missile models saw service—Minuteman IA, IB, II and III. Each was progressively larger and more capable, featuring increased range, larger payload and greater accuracy. Minuteman III remains on alert. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Minuteman Timeline

1958 -- Department of Defense approves development

1961 -- First successful test flight

1962 -- Minuteman I operational (150 Minuteman 1A and 650 Minuteman 1B deployed in 16 squadrons)

1966 -- Minuteman II operational (450 deployed in nine squadrons)

1969 -- Last Minuteman I replaced by Minuteman II

1970 -- Minuteman III operational (550 initially deployed in eleven squadrons)

1991 -- Minuteman II system begins deactivation

1995 -- Last Minuteman II removed from silo

2007 -- USAF begins deactivating 100 Minuteman III

2008 -- 450 Minuteman III operational

Click here to return to the Minuteman II Mission Procedures Trainer Overview.

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Minuteman bases

Minuteman III composite site map

Minuteman missile comparison