“Minuteman in the West” is presented by the Boeing Company and opens with cowboys in Cheyenne, Wyoming (:26). This city has been dubbed the cowboy capital of the West and was founded in 1867 as a railroad terminus (1:01). The town now boasts a population of 50,000 as well as a downtown business district (1:23), a modern shopping center (1:29) and is the headquarters for extensive sheep and cattle interests (1:33). Cheyenne is also considered the political heart of the state (1:50). The annual Frontier Day celebrates the city’s cultural beginings and is held in the last week of July (2:00). Highlights include the rodeo and annual parade (2:30). In 1885, Lincoln established Fort DA Russel adjacent to the city (2:55) and is one of the largest military posts in the US. The name was later changed to Francis E Warren in honor of the Civil War Veteran, first Governor and US Senator (3:19). Later it was transferred from military to air force jurisdiction (3:28). Many important names have appeared on the roster throughout history such as General Mark W Clark (4:11). This base has been chosen as the head quarters of the world’s largest combat installation, the 200 Minuteman Missle Wing 5 (4:15). Construction began at Wing 5 in October of 1962 and was completed June 12th, 1964 (4:49). It is spread over three states; Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado (5:05) and covers 8,000 square miles. Activities and materials included evacuation of earth and rock (5:17), railroad cars carrying concrete, enough steel to make 60,000 automobiles (5:26), and about 2,200 miles of communication cables (5:30). Utilizing a system test program in Seattle, Boeing tested every part of the Minuteman system early on (5:46). In Utah, the missel’s assembly method’s are verified and set up (6:11). The results of these tests are brought to Malmstrom (6:21), Ellsworth, Minot, Whiteman (6:31), and Cheyenne Air Force Bases. While working, employees took up temporary residences in mobile homes (7:21).
A typical day in which Boeing performs it’s assembly check up functions is depicted (10:47). During the initial stage, tools and equipment are lowered into the launcher (11:10). Launcher batteries and a motor operator are unloaded (11:17). Other members of the crew are setting up electric cabinets (11:27) and all electronic cables are connected (11:39). The final phase is the final check up crew (12:27). Robert Wells, an electronic technician explains the design and operation of the Versa Voice Reporting Systems (12:42). The Minuteman Management Central System operates through a complex of control rooms (14:48).
The control manager at Wing 5 explains the charts used to keep track of progress and possible issue (15:06). There were a number of important dates during the construction of Wing 5. June 12th 1964 saw the placement of the first Wing 5 Minuteman missle (17:07). On July 24th, 1964 fifty missles were accepted (17:18). The high point of the program, however was June 1st, 1965 when the 200th Wing 5 was placed at Tango 6 (17:24). The Boeing manager attributes their success to the complete cooperation from the military, the crews and the great assistance from Seattle support organizations (17:54). At the Air Force Base in Cheyenne held acceptance ceremonies on June 30th, 1965 (19:05). The Wyoming Governer at the time, Clifford Hansen attended (19:20). Colonnel William Todd acted as the host (19:31) and at the end of the ceremonies is a presentation of s symbolic key to the Commander of the 13th Strategic Missle Division of the Strategic Air Command (22:25). These ceremonies were followed a luncheon for invited guests (22:47). The film draws to a conclusion as a luncheon ends and awards are presented (26:32).
The LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. land-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in service with the Air Force Global Strike Command. As of 2017, the LGM-30G Minuteman III version[a] is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States. Development of the Minuteman began in the mid-1950s as the outgrowth of basic research into solid fuel rocket motors which indicated an ICBM based on solids was possible. Minuteman entered service in 1962 as a weapon tasked primarily with the deterrence role. However, the development of the U.S. Navy’s Polaris missile, which addressed the same role, allowed the Air Force to modify Minuteman into a weapon with the specific intent of allowing it to attack hardened military targets. The Minuteman-II entered service in 1965. Minuteman-III followed in 1970, using three smaller warheads instead of one large one. The Air Force plans to keep the missile in service until at least 2030.
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