Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 10-31-2017
Abstract
To counter the Soviet Union’s Cold War nuclear threat, the United States government enhanced its offensive nuclear capability in the 1950s by creating intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the Soviet Union. The first American ICBM was the Atlas missile. Southwest Oklahoma near Altus Air Force Base (AFB) played a crucial role in the nation’s nuclear arsenal from 1960 through 1965 by building several missile launch sites that housed Atlas F missiles. The state was rewarded with jobs, massive amounts of federal dollars spent here, and the satisfaction of deterring Soviet aggression while defending the nation against possible attack.
Publication Title
The Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume
Volume XCV
Issue
Number Three
First Page
260
Last Page
281
Recommended Citation
Brewer, Landry, "The Missiles of Oklahoma: Southwest Oklahoma's Role in the American Cold War Nuclear Arsenal, 1960-65" (2017). Faculty Articles & Research. 1.
https://dc.swosu.edu/caap_general_articles/1
Comments
The Missiles of Oklahoma: Southwest Oklahoma's Role in the American Cold War Nuclear Arsenal, 1960-65 was first published in the Fall 2017 issue of The Chronicles of Oklahoma.