Reply #41: Together with the 91st OP, they formed the 3rd largest nuclear power. . . [View All]

[Journeyman]

on the planet. Both are based in North Dakota. At the time I was there, it was said that if North Dakota seceded from the Union, it would be the third largest nuclear power, behind only the rest of the United States and the then-Soviet Union. Today, it's probably number 2.

What do they do? When I was there, we fought war 9 to 5, then prep'ed for nuclear holocaust on the slow days. Here's a post I made last month when it was announced NORAD had gone to heightened alert status when the North Koreans splashed their missiles . . .


I was at Minot in '73 when Nixon sent us to DEFCON 3 over developments in the Yom Kippur War. Even at the time, most had no idea how close we came to nuclear war. But I was at the epicenter as the third greatest nuclear force on the planet readied for "battle," so I bore witness. It all proved for nought, however -- the Soviets stood down, Nixon sobered up, and US forces returned to base and locked away the launch codes. But as I said, much like this incident now with NORAD, most citizens had no idea the threat level had increased, then or for these past two weeks. It reinforces a belief I formed that frosty morning in North Dakota. . .

The only difference between the front line and the home front is your sense of perception -- if you know it's happening, you're a participant in modern nuclear warfare; if not, you're blissfully unaware you're in the midst of a war.



I won't comment on the Nazi comparison. I've written two books and lecture often on aspects of National Socialism and the Nuremburg Tribunals so my opinion differs markedly from many on these boards. I will share the insignia for the 91st with you, though:



In the middle of the base stands a three story building. Housed within it are most of the 5th's operations command. It's called the Pride Building. Etched above the entry is the motto of the Strategic Air Command: "Peace. . . . is our profession." I never once walked through those doors without silently finishing the thought: War's just a hobby.



Non-Photoshopped image of an actual 91st operations patch.