Atlas Missile Silo
Atlas F Complexes
The F series of Atlas missile silo
complexes were the last type of Atlas ICBM bases to be built. The construction cost of just the basic concrete underground structures
was approximately $15 million dollars each (in 1960 dollars!). Today's
current value of the construction cost would be over $107,000,000! The Atlas F silo complex consisted of the
main missile silo with an underground tunnel connecting to the LCC, or
Launch
Control Center. The LCC and silo were only accessible through an above
ground entry way.
There was an emergency escape hatch which could only be used from within the LCC. The
Atlas F LCC was staffed by five man crews. The crews consisted of a
MCCC,
DMCCC,
BMAT,
MFT and
EPPT. There was
additional support equipment and personnel areas above ground which were contained in
two quonset huts of 4,000 square feet each.
Most Atlas F silos were built on
approximately 20 acres with 5 acres contained inside a 7 foot chain link
fence. The
Atlas F complex was the first of the "hardened" missile silo structures. The concrete used was mixed with an epoxy based resin to
provide a substantial increase in strength. When combined with an estimated 600 tons of steel rebar, this provided
a
structure
capable of more than 200 pounds per square inch of overpressure. This is roughly
equivalent to a 500 mile per hour wind! This made the Atlas F complex one of the
strongest structures ever built by man. There were 72 Atlas F operational
sites
built along with three test sites at Vandenberg AFB. The Air Force established six
strategic missile squadrons, each of which supported twelve individual
sites. Shown below is a list of where each Atlas F squadron was located. Please
click on
the patch or link of your choice to learn more details about that particular
squadron.
550th SMS, Schilling Air Force Base, Salina, Kansas
551st SMS,
Lincoln Air Force Base, Lincoln, Nebraska
556th SMS,
Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh, New York
577th SMS, Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Oklahoma
578th SMS, Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas
579th SMS, Walker Air Force Base, Roswell, New Mexico
