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This heritage pamphlet from Malmstrom AFB traces the history of the 341st Missile Wing. The unit began as a B-25 bomb group in the China-Burma-India Theater in 1942, then flew B-47s at Abilene AFB before being activated at Malmstrom in July 1961. The pamphlet covers the Minuteman I, II and III deployments, the Cuban Missile Crisis alert, arms-reduction work under START, trophies, wing commanders and a missile field chronology. It also has museum display notes on missiles and the UH-1 helicopter.
341st Missile Wing History III to serve well into the 21st century. The Missile Crew Two officers make up a Minuteman III launch crew. These highly-trained USAF teams are on alert at all times in deeply-buried underground launch facilities. Each team controls 10 widely-dispersed missiles. Missile squadrons consist of 50 missiles. Minuteman III crews can launch missiles only on authenticated orders from the President of the United States using complex, secure codes and procedures. A modern system of high- and low-frequency satellite, radio and land lines ensures secure, reliable communication for sending and receiving orders. Airborne command and control aircraft can also launch the missiles remotely if ground command is destroyed. Launching a Minuteman III takes about 60 seconds. When a launch crew receives a valid "emergency action message," they take specific and well-practiced steps to make sure their actions are correct. If necessary, top-secret codes are sent to the missiles to enable them to launch at predetermined targets. Next, the crewmen simultaneously turn keys that give the missile a final readiness check and open huge silo doors at ground level. Finally, electric cables automatically disconnect to free the missile, the first stage ignites, and Minuteman III is on its way. Reaching the Target Minuteman III is a three-stage missile that can reach targets more than 6,000 miles away. As each stage burns out, it drops away and the next stage ignites. In flight, a sophisticated guidance system keeps Minuteman III on course by slightly adjusting rocket nozzles. At the proper time -- about three minutes after launch -- small rockets slow the third stage. The post-boost vehicle (or "warhead bus") carrying the nuclear payload then maneuvers to a pre-determined release point. With precise timing, it releases the warhead or "re-entry vehicle." Helped by penetration aids that disguise it on enemy radar, the warhead follows a ballistic trajectory to its target. TECHNICAL NOTES: Propulsion: Three-stage solid fuel rocket motors; post-boost stage for positioning re-entry vehicle is liquid-fueled Weight: 76,000 lbs. Range: 6,000+ miles Maximum speed: Approx. 15,000 mph Armament: One, two or three MK-12 or MK-12A warheads in the megaton range
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