Deactivated Minuteman II ICBM Launch Control Facility J-01

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

United States Air Force Strategic Air Command, Launch Control Facility (LCF) Juliet-01. J-01 was one of five LCF's of the 509th Strategic Missile Squadron of the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base. The base is located outside Knob Noster, Missouri.

This flight like other Minuteman LCF's was comprised of 10 Minuteman Missiles located at separate Launch Facilities (LF) and this one specifically commanded the LGM-30F Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. These missiles were scattered about in the missile field known as Juliet Flight with each missile identified at it's LF of J-02 through J-11. J-01 was manned by elements of the 509th Strategic Missile Squadron. Though it began with a flight of LGM-30B Minuteman I ICBMs in 1964, these were replaced with the Minuteman II between May 1966 and October 1967. It stood at the ready supporting the flight until the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent reorganization of U.S. forces and adoption of arms-reduction treaties.

Following the removal of all Minuteman II missiles from active alert, the squadron began to demilitarize, with the complex completed in spring 1995. J-01's deactivation entailed sealing off access to the Elevator Shaft, underground Launch Control Center (LCC), and Equipment Building. Digging up the Emergency Escape Tunnel, sealing off the intake/exhaust shafts, back filling in the sewage lagoon, filling in the potable water tanks, emptying the 14,000 gallon Diesel Storage Tank and removing various pieces of equipment.

The present owner maintains and leases/rent-to-own the LCF and building for a private home.The building, antenna silo, UHF antenna and erected polls remain of this once proud element of the Minuteman Missile System.