After a 45 minute drive through mostly farmland with Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Humphries from public affairs and First Lieutenant Richard Credicott another missileer we arrive at Juliett-01 bunker. Two nondescript buildings in tan are visible above ground. The two missileers are located in a capsule below ground. They remain on alert at all times,Bell & Ross Replica Watches just in case the U.S. decides to use its nuclear weapons.

We are met by a armed guard at the gate of the fence on the perimeter, even though we know they are there. They ask for our IDs. After all the paperwork is completed, which includes many checks, we are given a tour of the above-ground facility. The kitchen is equipped with a chef and provides food for the missileers, as well as security personnel, during their shifts. For $2.95 I got a cola, burger, and tater-tots.

A pool table, a gym and a bathroom are also included. Satellite antennas are so powerful that we cannot get closer than five feet away from them, for fear of radiation.

Armed guards at Juliett-01

Juliett-01: Emergency escape stairs

There are two huge concrete/steel doorways -- each weighing eight and eleven tons -- that require nine turns of the handle to open. Four of us pile in a freight elevator after a few more ID checks. The guards announce, "One in...two in...three in...four in." It's a bit eerie. We are told to wait patiently if,Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Replica as it often happens, the elevator installed in the early 1960s gets stuck. Ifthey can't get it going again, there is always anescape ladder we can usetoreturntothesurface.

After descending and passing another massive door, we finally enter the capsule itself. The two missileers are confined to a small space, separated by a green curtain. Many of the consoles are just practice drills. If there is a serious message, the other missileer will be woken up to perform his duties.

What is it? There are a series of verifications using antiquated screens, (which looks like it belongs in Dr. Strangelove), the unlocking of padlocks that hold the missile launch keys, (each missileer is given his own key to prevent rogue launches), code checks, and if necessary, the turning of the launch keys. All of this involves a lot of information for each missileer individually and jointly, as well as redundant safeguards. It is impossible to launch these things even if someone gets in the capsule.