The History of the ATLAS ICBM in West Texas

     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.

                  By Larry C. Sanders, CEO of Missile Base Enterprises, Inc.

   

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