The nuclear triad is a term that refers to the three different nuclear weapons delivery systems that protect the U.S. They are the strategic bombers, the nuclear submarines and the intercontinental ballistic missiles stationed in the Midwest. The first two are well maintained and highly respected postings. The third is deteriorating and the morale is low. Being located in the remotest parts of Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Missouri does not help morale.
       The LGM-Minuteman is the only land based ICBM in the U.S. arsenal. These were deployed in the 1970s. Each missile can carry up to three nuclear warheads. Initially, the warheads had a one hundred and seventy kiloton yield. In the first decade of deployment, there were one thousand of these in silos in the five states. Now there are about four hundred deployed as a result of nuclear weapons reduction treaties. The Air Force wants to keep these missiles in service until 2030.
       Years ago, there was a segment on 60 Minutes that showed antiquated computer equipment and a massive blast door in one of the missile silos that had jammed in a partly open position and could not be closed to protect the personnel in the silo in case of launch.
        The launch process for the Minutemen is complex. The silo crews are supposed to be tested monthly to be sure they know what to do to properly launch the missiles.                 A few years ago, there was a scandal when it was discovered that the silo crews had been cheating on the monthly testing and selling tests and answers to each other. In addition to the cheating scandal, it was also found that illegal drugs were being sold, bought and consumed by some of the silo crews.
      This week, there were Facebook postings that mentioned that three airmen in a missile maintenance group were consuming beer during a regular nuclear code change. Apparently, this is not a novel occurrence and there are Internet memes circulating about the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the base. The operations chief for the maintenance group said that the airmen were off duty and did not have access to weapons or launch controls while they were drinking.
       I recently wrote a post in which I reported on a recommendation that the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad be eliminated. The bombers and submarines are sufficient to delivery a deadly blow to any enemy which attacks the U.S. with nuclear weapons. Having a bunch of missiles in hardened silos in the center of the country invites any enemy carrying out a nuclear attack to send hundreds of missiles at the Minutemen silo fields which would devastate and irradiate a huge area east of the Rocky Mountains.
       The ICBM are the least important part of the U.S. retaliatory capacity and they are the most exposed and inviting targets for any enemy staging a nuclear attack. They are poorly maintained, the silo crews have low morale, the training system is breaking down and the silo crews are getting drunk and using illegal drugs. Perhaps it would be better to retire them and save the money.