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Updated 25 May 2026, flagged by <$
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MSR / MSCB Photos: Interior
BMDOC (Ballistic Missile Defense Operations Center)
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Photo Sources:
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0nnn (photos): Anonymous WECo engineer
0nnnnV (videos): A 20-Year History of the Antiballistic Missile Program <$
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04nn: John Thompson <$
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1nnn: Ves Fulp
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7nnn: Historic American Engineering Record: SRMSC
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A23n: Facebook: Alternate Command Post <$
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Rnnn: Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site via Facebook (4) <$
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Vnnn: SRMSC Tactical Area Virtual Tour (link on home page) <$
BMDOC
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Room 207.
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Called the "ops center", the Ballistic Missile Defense Operations Center provided the major tactical control of the system. It contained the Tactical Control
Consoles for the Tactical and Assistant Tactical Control Officers and the Operations Officer. At the Tactical and Assisstant positions were two sets of key control devices which had to
be enabled simultaneously by the two officers in order to allow the system to engage targets. This was part of the Nuclear Surety provided by the system.
(Description from Clint Esckilsen) <$
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Comments and Q & A from Frank Flavell, Chief Operations Sgt., BMDOC. <$
(opens in a new window)
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7358e: Ballistic Missile Defense Operations Center (BMDOC), MSCB level 2 <$
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V033: 2017 photo of one of the most important corridors in the MSCB (Missile Site Control Building). <$
On level 2, right to left:
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Entrance to the BMDOC (Room 207, Ballistic Missile Defense Operations Center).
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The BMDOC provided the major tactical control of the Safeguard system.
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The raised floor extended to the bottom of the doors.
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Entrance to the ERC (Room 206, Equipment Readiness Center).
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Two entrances to small offices (Rooms 204 and 205).
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To the right at end of the corridor:
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A233: Recent photo of the BMDOC. <$
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The commander's console enclosure is at the far right.
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05015V: Video: BMDOC engagement exercise. <$
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Activity is shown during an engagement exercise.
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From Frank Flavell: In most drills, after you had expended all available rounds, a final incoming would
be targeted on the MSR, and all you could do was wait for it to hit. A nice way of keeping us humble I guess.
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05005V: Video: Console and "flapper board" system status display. <$
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R054: Technicians work within the MSR's Ballistic Missile Defense Operations Center. The man on the right sits at the Tactical Director Console.
The System Capability Console is staffed in the distance. Note the console on which the technician has his hand (and then on the far left of the photo as well).
These were the Launch Enable Sets. (Description from Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site) <$
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0064, 0062: Equipment installation in progress.
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A231: System Capability console.<$
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A232: Assistant Tactical Director console.<$
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04008: Tactical Director console (1975). <$
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The top of the status board at the front of the room shows "Missile Status", with columns for "Spartan" and "Sprint", with rows reading "Armable",
"Launchable", "Launchers".
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SSG Walter S. Bragg (BMDOC assistant operations Sgt.) is sitting at one of the consoles.
(ID'd by Frank Flavell.)
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0060: Command dais containing the commander's console.
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The area beyond the glass topped partition overlooked to the AADOC (Army Air Defense Operations Center)
which provided a link with other air defense operations. <$
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1045, 1044: Ed Berens at the commander's console.
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04009: MSCB command dais with MP John Thompson standing at the commander's console (1975). <$
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The command dais was a raised, glass enclosed area with visibility to both the AADOC (room 209) and the BMDOC (room 207). This area had a special
console used by the Safeguard Commanding General to monitor operation of the complex. The curtained window in the background overlooked to the AADOC (Army Air Defense
Operations Center) which provided a link with other air defense operations. (Description from Clint Esckilsen)
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V034: 2017 photo. The commander's console was located in this room just inside the BMDOC. <$
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From this point, the commanding general could
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oversee operations in the BMDOC and the next door AADOC (Army Air Defense Operations Center)
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observe the active engagement on his console