Deactivated Minuteman II ICBM Launch Facility (H-4)

USA / South Dakota / New Underwood / Hope Road
 military, historical layer / disappeared object, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)
 Upload a photo

The former LF for a LGM-30F Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Nicknamed "Moscow Children's Hospital" by its crews, H-4 was manned by elements of the 67th Strategic Missile Squadron, 44th Missile Wing, formerly based at Ellsworth AFB outside Rapid City, South Dakota. Though it originally housed an LGM-30A Minuteman I ICBM in 1963, these were replaced with the Minuteman II between 1971 and 1973. It stood at the ready until the Air Force began retiring the LGM-30F from service starting in December of 1991 and wrapping up in April of 1994, in line with international arms-reduction treaties. The vacant Launch Facilities were left to be imploded and filled in.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   44°29'34"N   102°41'2"W
This article was last modified 12 years ago