Check out the only remaining Titan II Missile silo in the country, a relic from the Cold War!
The Cold War was a defining time in America’s history. It shaped much of our history, much of which we would love to forget. The USSR and the US were in this vicious fight for supremacy, supremacy of culture, the skies, space and war. It was only through mutually ensured destruction did the fight come to a standstill, in which the Titan Missile played a part.
There were two versions of the Titan Missile. I’m going to focus on the second, the missile preserved at the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, south of Tucson, Arizona. The Titan II Missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could be launched to any three locations in the USSR that were completely secret from the silo crew. Only one Titan II missile is on display and that is the one at Titan Missile Museum.
The not so assuming entrance to the missile silo. They didn’t want it to look too obvious that there was a nuclear bomb down there.
The missile silo, of course, was located underground. A small crew was down there 24 hours a day, ready to launch the missile if given the orders. These weren’t even high-ranking men, just men told to follow orders.
In order to turn the missile silo into a museum, with a missile inside, they had to concrete the silo doors in place. Silo doors don’t normally look like that.
Old security vehicle.
The silo didn’t have armed guards patrolling. Instead, these scoop things shoot radar beams across to the next one. If you cross the radar beam, an alarm would go off, sending armed soldiers responding to the intruder.
The boosters of a Titan II Missile.
The missile silo was operational from 1963-1984. The complex had steel reinforced concrete, as much as 8 feet thick in some places, and 3-ton blast doors. The silo has three sections, the stairs, control center/living complex, and the missile silo. The museum tour takes you through all three sections (except for the cramped living quarters).
State of the art security guarding the entrance to the silo.
One of those 3-ton blast doors. Looks like it would be a hassle to turn but they turn hassle free.
These “No Lone Zone” signs were all over the place in the silo. They didn’t want any one getting themselves into trouble.
The Control Center, with our fantastic guide and commander stand in. The commander of the silo sat here to launch the missile, along with one other officer (remember, “No Lone Zone”). They both turned a key at the same time to launch the missile after getting the notice, one here at the control center in the center and another on the control panel below the TV.
Zoom in on the control panel. The key (not a button) for launching is in the top row.
Cabinet were secret codes were kept, which were needed for deciphering orders.
A better view of the other control panel. The other key that was turned for launch is located right below the TV, on the left side of that panel. The security camera from before, near the entry stairs, leads straight to this TV.
Long corridors connect the three sections of the missile silo.
Last stop on the tour was the seeing the Titan II Missile. The one in the museum is the one missile still in a silo. Not surprising, considering this is the only Titan II missile silo left in the country. We peered through some windows about 3/4 of the way up to look at the inside of the silo.
So big it doesn’t fit in one picture! These last two photos were taken via some iPhone 11 trickery. I still don’t know how they turned out this good considering I took them through glass.
There is also a viewing window at the top of the silo! Pretty cool looking down!
The Titan Missile Museum is a neat exploration into America’s past. You often hear that there was missile silo such as this one dotting the American landscape, but did you ever think you could explore one? Most of the Titan II missile silos were destroyed. Luckily, one was saved for posterity for generations to explore.
Check out my next update where I go caving and hiking amongst saguaros in Tucson, Arizona!
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Check out more amazing places in Arizona!
