Frederick's Atlas ICBM Missile Site Traditional Cache
Hidden : 12/29/2011
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Another Tillman County history cache. You're looking for a camo'd Emerald brand almond container.

The site before you with the Quonset hut is former cold war Atlas ICBM missile site #6 of the 577th Strategic Missile Squadron based out of Altus Air Force Base. From 1962 to 1964, this was one of twelve Atlas silos in the area. The silo itself was completely filled in after an accident - see the story below.

From Wikipedia: The squadron was assigned twelve missiles, based in a 1 x 12 configuration: twelve independent widely dispersed launch sites comprised the missile squadron. In August 1962, the first Atlas F was placed on alert status. In October, all 12 missiles were put on alert status as a result of the Cuban missile crisis.

The Atlas F was the final and most advanced version of the Atlas ICBM and was stored in a vertical position inside underground concrete and steel silos. When stored, the Atlas F sat atop an elevator. If a missile was placed on alert, it was fueled with RP-1 (kerosene) liquid fuel, which could be stored inside the missile for extended periods. If a decision was made to launch the missile, the missile was raised to the surface and the liquid oxygen tank was filled. The launch would occur shortly after completion of this process.
The exposure on the surface that this procedure entailed was the great weakness of the Atlas F. It was exposed and vulnerable during this time. The Titan II and Minuteman missiles could be launched from within their silos, thereby eliminating this vulnerability. Also, since the Titan did not use a cryogenic fuel or oxydizer, and the Minuteman was a solid fuel rocket, they could be stored fully fueled and ready to launch within a very few minutes.
The 577th SMS operated twelve launch silos; one missile at each site. The missiles were retired and removed in early 1965 in favor of the more advanced LGM-25C Titan II; squadron was inactivated on 25 March 1965. Missile sites were later sold off to private ownership after demilitarization.

Life in a missle silo during the cold war was interesting. Here's a first hand account of one soldier's experience: (visit link)

On May 14, 1964, a major explosion occurred during a test loading of liquid oxygen, destroying the missile & the installation. An audio recording of the incident and subsequent report can be found at (visit link)

Congress conducted hearings to determine the cause of this and other explosions at other sites, and the results are found in the congressional record of hearings on the accidents, titled “Series of Explosions of Air Force’s Atlas F Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles”, before the Senate Preparedness Investigating Committee in July and August 1964.

A full sized mockup of the Atlas missile used in Frederick & the other sites stands in a municipal park in the southern part of Altus, OK.

FTF gets a Lake Powell TB.

Congratulations to Frederickscouter & Teach1961 for FTF!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Prqne

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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