Deactivated Minuteman III ICBM Launch Facility (J-43)

 military, Minuteman, historical layer / disappeared object, missile silo

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The former LF for a LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Nicknamed "Perdita" by its crews, J-43 was manned by elements of the 447th Strategic Missile Squadron, 321st Missile Wing, formerly based at Grand Forks AFB outside Grand Forks, North Dakota. Activated in July, 1965, the unit was fully operational by December, 1966 with Flights F-J under its control. Though initially equipped with the LGM-30F Minuteman II ICBM, the squadron began transitioning to the Minuteman III in December 1971 and was finished by March 1973. It stood at the ready until 1995 when the Air Force selected the 321st for deactivation per arms-reduction treaties. The vacant Launch Facilities were left to be imploded and filled in.