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Altus AFB

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First Launch: 1962-05-05. Last Launch: 1964-05-14. Number: 2 . Location: Oklahoma. Longitude: -99.27 deg. Latitude: 34.75 deg.

Originally a training base in World War II, Altus was reactivated as a transport and bomber base in 1953. It hosted B-47 bombers until 1958, B-52's thereafter. In 1960 the base was designated as headquarters for the 577th Strategic Missile Squadron with twelve Atlas F missiles. The Air Force acquired 52 square kilometers in Oklahoma and Texas for the silo complexes. After a heroic construction effort, the first Atlas F was placed on alert status in August 1962. All 12 were available for nuclear strikes against Russia in the Cuban Missile Crisis two months later. Launch complex 577-6 was destroyed in an explosion on 14 May 14 1964 during propellant loading training. The Atlas missile had a short operational life due to its poor reaction time and the squadron at Altus was deactivated on 25 March 25 1965.

This World War II era base was reactivated by the Air Force in 1952 as a Tactical Air Command facility. In 1953 the base was transferred to SAC to host bombers and support aircraft. In late 1959, Hound Dog and Quail missiles were installed on B-52s assigned to Altus. In addition to these air-to-surface missiles, Altus was destined to host the Atlas F ICBM.

Near the end of January 1960, Senator Kerr, Senator Monroney, and Representative Toby Morris made the first public announcement regarding the installation of an Atlas F missile facility at Altus. In April, the Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District awarded the basic construction contract to Morrison-Knudsen and Hardeman and Associates. The two firms had submitted a combined bid of just over $20.9 million.

The 12 launcher locations were at or near Lonewolf; Hobart (2); Snyder; Cache; Mantiou; Frederick; Creta; Hollis; Russell; Willow; and Fargo, Texas. To acquire the needed 12,879 acres, in October, the Real Estate Division of the Tulsa District filed condemnation suits against 477 landowners in the 6 counties surrounding Altus.

As at other Atlas construction sites, Tulsa District Engineers were befuddled with the concurrency problem where improvements in the missile required constant modifications to the ongoing launcher construction. However, the Tulsa District managed to keep the project on schedule by using a "Red Ball" system that prioritized Atlas paperwork.

Problems elsewhere forced the Army to centralize construction management. Therefore in November 1960, the responsibility of construction was transferred to the newly formed Corps of Engineers Ballistic Missile Construction Office (CEBMCO). Consequently, approximately 175 Tulsa District employees found themselves working for the Los Angeles-based organization.

There were several "growing pains" associated with this project. Coordination between the Corps of Engineers, contractor, Site Activation Task Force (SATAF), and integrating consultants from Convair Astronautics (later General Dynamics Astronautics) was difficult at times. The Corps blamed the integrating consultants for lacking experience in heavy construction.

Natural difficulties were encountered as some sites had water tables that were higher than expected and at one site workers dug into underground cavities. Labor-

management relations were harmonious. Only eight short work stoppages occurred, causing minimal delays. There were three project-related fatalities. In addition, two major on-site fires set back construction. As with other first generation missile projects, the installation and testing of the propellant loading system proved difficult as contaminants hindered the system's operation.

In August 1962, the first Atlas F was placed on alert status. In October, all 12 missiles were put on alert status as a result of the Cuban missile crisis.

On May 14, 1964, during a propellant loading exercise, an explosion caused the destruction of launch complex 577-6. Two days later, Defense Secretary McNamara ordered the accelerated phaseout of Atlas and Titan I ICBMs. As a result, the 577th Strategic Missile Squadron was deactivated on March 25, 1965.

• Eglin Demonstration mission - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA, USAF. Spacecraft: X-15A. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi).

• Atlas SMS 577 operational. - . Nation: USA. Altus AFB SMS 577 operational.

• Third Atlas F squadron turned over to SAC at Altus AFB. - . The 577th Strategic Missile Squadron at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, was the third Atlas F squadron turned over to SAC by Ballistic Systems Division site activation task forces (SATAFs)..

• Accident - . Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 0 km (0 mi). Operational missile test at Altus AFB..