Minuteman Missile NHS Tours

This compound includes the topside support building and the associated underground Launch Control Center located 31 feet below the plains of western South Dakota. The topside supported the missileers stationed underground in carrying out their mission, with equipment such as a backup generator for auxiliary power and environmental control providing support in the event of a power outage or an attack. There were always eight people on the topside, all enlisted Air Force personnel stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, 60 miles to the west: a Facility Manager (top ranking non-commissioned officer on-site), a cook, and six security police. They worked three straight days on, followed by three days off. The site also had bunk housing for visitors, such as maintenance teams required to remain overnight at the nearest Launch Control Facility if they exceeded a 16-hour work shift, before driving back to Ellsworth the following day. The building contained a Security Control Center, where all security activities were coordinated and personnel were processed when coming on site. Other topside areas included a day room, dining area and recreational room used by Air Force support personnel while at the facility.