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Just a couple of comments on the Conclusion of \"only 15 Minutes to Atomic Strike.\"
From 1979 to 1982 I was a Technical Inspector, then Chief Technical Inspector at the Joint Service Unit Defense Nuclear Agency. As such I, and our Tech Inspectors, inspected all service units that were nuclear certified, including Pershing I (PI) Units. I can assure you that PI units were very easy to detect due to the logistical tail that supported them. As such, PI units were set up in permanent facilities. I helped evaluate a PI advanced stage of readiness exercise once as a unit prepped for deployment. The number of heavy vehicles involved were amazing and the power generation equipment alone had a signature that would have been very difficult if not impossible to conceal.
I was offered the chance to go to the GLCM Program when I left DNA, but was advised to steer clear as the program would not have a long life span. So I opted for the F-16 program instead and went to Hahn AB, FRG.
Later in 1983-85 I was the Maintenance Supervisor for the 50th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. at Hahn. A team of individuals from the \"cruise missile\" program needed a conference room to work in so I agreed to loan them mine. I was floored, when some of the \"mustang\" officers associated with that team were previous Mace B people. We swapped a few lies about the good old Mace B days! The team wanted to use our (50TFW) Zulu Alert facilities for their first operating location. While at Hahn I used to go hiking up in the hills and saw where the old Mace A Bird pads had been located.
I found it interesting that the Army was operating out of hard facilities with the Pershing and the Air Force was going to operate a \"deployed tactical\" weapon system. Seemed to be a role reversal.
As late as 1985 I would drive by Wuscheim and look at the GLCM facility being built at the old Army facility and the Army using the facilities at the old Mace A facility. In fact I had inspected the US Army unit located there before they closed down and gave everything over to the Air Force.
Still a little later, but not much, the advice my mentor gave me about steering clear of the GLCM came to pass at the system was taken out of service.
I thank the Air Force for all the opportunities they gave this dumb 18 year old without a clue. I hope I paid back some of their investment in me. I have been heartbroken lately to see my Air Force\'s name drug through the mud lately with the Nuclear Surety Program problems, cheating scandals, and senior leadership ethics issues.
Thanks,
Guy Vanderman, Col, USAF, Ret.
From 1979 to 1982 I was a Technical Inspector, then Chief Technical Inspector at the Joint Service Unit Defense Nuclear Agency. As such I, and our Tech Inspectors, inspected all service units that were nuclear certified, including Pershing I (PI) Units. I can assure you that PI units were very easy to detect due to the logistical tail that supported them. As such, PI units were set up in permanent facilities. I helped evaluate a PI advanced stage of readiness exercise once as a unit prepped for deployment. The number of heavy vehicles involved were amazing and the power generation equipment alone had a signature that would have been very difficult if not impossible to conceal.
I was offered the chance to go to the GLCM Program when I left DNA, but was advised to steer clear as the program would not have a long life span. So I opted for the F-16 program instead and went to Hahn AB, FRG.
Later in 1983-85 I was the Maintenance Supervisor for the 50th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. at Hahn. A team of individuals from the \"cruise missile\" program needed a conference room to work in so I agreed to loan them mine. I was floored, when some of the \"mustang\" officers associated with that team were previous Mace B people. We swapped a few lies about the good old Mace B days! The team wanted to use our (50TFW) Zulu Alert facilities for their first operating location. While at Hahn I used to go hiking up in the hills and saw where the old Mace A Bird pads had been located.
I found it interesting that the Army was operating out of hard facilities with the Pershing and the Air Force was going to operate a \"deployed tactical\" weapon system. Seemed to be a role reversal.
As late as 1985 I would drive by Wuscheim and look at the GLCM facility being built at the old Army facility and the Army using the facilities at the old Mace A facility. In fact I had inspected the US Army unit located there before they closed down and gave everything over to the Air Force.
Still a little later, but not much, the advice my mentor gave me about steering clear of the GLCM came to pass at the system was taken out of service.
I thank the Air Force for all the opportunities they gave this dumb 18 year old without a clue. I hope I paid back some of their investment in me. I have been heartbroken lately to see my Air Force\'s name drug through the mud lately with the Nuclear Surety Program problems, cheating scandals, and senior leadership ethics issues.
Thanks,
Guy Vanderman, Col, USAF, Ret.