Since the end of the Cold War in the 1990’s the two Superpowers, the United States and Russia, have reduced their nuclear arsenals drastically.  But the two military behemoths still possess thousands of nuclear weapons.  The United States Air Force base at Minot, North Dakota is a Minuteman strategic missile base.  Just south of Melita, Manitoba there is enough firepower hunkered in missile silos to wipe out half of red China.  Minot AFB also deploys 32 B-52 strategic nuclear bombers equipped with nuclear bombs.

The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States. It is one component of a nuclear triad, which is complemented by the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and by nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.

The letter “L” in “LGM” indicates that the missile is silo-launched; the “G” indicates that it is designed to attack ground targets; the “M” indicates that it is a guided missile.

The name “Minuteman” comes from the Revolutionary War’s Minutemen. It also refers to its quick reaction time; the missile can be launched in about 1 minute. The Air Force plans to keep the missile in service until at least 2030.

The current US force consists solely of 450 Minuteman-III missiles in missile silos around F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; and Minot AFB, North Dakota.

If for some extraordinary reason, the nukes would start flying, the people of Melita and other parts of southwestern Manitoba better Duck and Cover.

1950’s U.S. Duck and Cover promo.  As if this would help.