During the height of the Cold War, the Texas midwest hosted a
group of great American warriors that, unfortunately, Texans have
almost totally forgotten. These are the elite "space age" members
of the Air Force's Strategic Air Command who helped us survive
perhaps the most tense military situation in our history, and
prevailed in a confrontation that could have easily deteriorated
into the destruction of the world. Many people are totally unaware
of the drama that unfolded deep underground in hardened silos all
around Abilene, including one in southern Taylor County near the
small community of Lawn. Of course, we're talking about the Atlas
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) of Dyess Air Force
Base.
For over 30 years, West Texans have wondered about the
near-mythical MISSILE systems that have dotted the countryside
since the early years of the stand-off between America and the
Soviet Union.
Though many have lived within sight of these structures since
their construction in 1961, few people understand, much less
clearly visualize, what the Department of Defense created and
operated there. The Convair ATLAS was America's first operational
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Commissioned for
development in 1947, the system concept was accepted by the Air
Force's Strategic Air Command in 1954, and first launched in 1957.
The ATLAS was a one and a half stage, liquid-fueled rocket capable
of launching low-orbit payloads. With its inertial guidance system,
it could send its nuclear payload from the Texas midwest to almost
anywhere in the USSR.
The ATLAS propelled the rapid escalation of nuclear arms that
characterized the Cold War, while it simultaneously propelled the
struggling American space program through its early years. All but
the first two of the Mercury manned space flights were launched
from Atlas missiles almost identical to the twelve deployed in
silos surrounding Abilene.
Six Atlas F complexes were constructed in the United States in
1961 to supplement the Atlas D and E sites already in operation,
but considered easy targets for the developing Russian ICBM forces.
These Atlas F sites were located at:
- -Shilling AFB, Kansas
- -Lincoln AFB, Nebraska
- -Plattsburg AFB, New York
- -Altus AFB, Oklahoma
- -Walker AFB, New Mexico
- -Dyess AFB, Texas
The Dyess sites were operated by the 578th Strategic Missile
Squadron from 1962 until the program's sudden termination in
1965.
After being decommissioned in 1965, the Atlas missiles were
removed and all sites demilitarized. Most were salvaged and sold at
auction or given to school systems. No sites were held by the
Department of Defense. Wisely, the missiles were not destroyed. 141
Atlas E and Fs were stored at Norton AFB California and modified by
General Dynamics for satellite launch vehicles. In all, 523 Atlas
boosters were launched... most of them successfully.
Because of the readiness of the 578th Strategic Missile Squadron
and other such groups around America, Texas never witnessed a
launch from one of its Atlas facilities. The world was spared what
could have easily escalated into the most destructive conflict in
mankind's history.
The Texas midwest has a lot to be proud of because of its role
in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War. Let's not forget the
heros of the Strategic Air Command, and the higher power that
watched us through that turbulent period in
history.