9/9/2008:
During the early years of the Cold War a push for improved technology was driven by a desire to surpass Soviet missile technology; to overcome what seemed to be a growing "missile gap.” The Soviet launching of Sputnik, the world's first satellite, in October of 1957 intensified that push. To stunned Americans, Sputnik seemed a sure sign that the Soviet Union was indeed leading in missile technology, and would soon develop ballistic missiles that could reach the United States. President Eisenhower responded by increasing spending on missile development; as would the next administration under President Kennedy.
In order to deter communist aggression and address the apparent missile gap, the US Air Force developed the Minuteman I missile system with the ability to respond to an enemy attack with immediate and massive retaliation. Named for its symbolic imagery of the nation’s military past and to reflect the quick response time of the missile system, the Minuteman I could be mass-produced, stand unattended for long periods of time, be operated by small crews and stored and launched from underground silos.
A "tethered" Minuteman I prototype was successfully launched in September of 1959. Less than two years later, construction on the first operational Minuteman I force began at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. That same year, in 1961, the Air Force also selected the land around Minot for a new Minuteman I missile complex.
Overseen by the Corps of Engineers Ballistic Missile Construction Office, field construction of the 150 silos and 10 launch complexes stretching across more than 8,000 square miles begin in January of 1962. The prime contractor, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Company, brought in 6,000 men and 115 cranes to complete the work that was occasionally hampered by spring rains, severe winter temperatures, dust storms and 58 man-days lost to works stoppages. Two workers and four private citizens died in construction and traffic accidents while another 36 suffered disabling injuries. Despite the obstacles, the project was completed 51 days ahead of schedule.
The first Minuteman I Missile, weighing 65,000 pounds, was installed in an 80-foot deep silo near Drake on this day, September 9, 1963. Within a few months, the 455th Strategic Missile Wing was combat ready. As the nation’s third operational Minuteman base, it marked the start of an important era in North Dakota history.
Sources:
Mead & Hunt, Inc.: Christina Slattery; Mary Ebeling; Erin Pogany; Amy R. Squitieri, "The Missile Plains: Frontline of America 'S Cold War", United States Department of the Interior National Park Service, Midwest Regional Office http://www.nps.gov/archive/mimi/history/srs/hrs.htm, 2003.
"Minot AFB", Global Security.org http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/minot.htm.
Piper, Marion J. Dakota Portraits: A Sentimental Journal of Pictorial History. Mohall, ND, 1964.