America's Nuclear Missile Fields; Defending America's Satellites | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

The missle fields piece was very interesting, very thourough. Around the 19:00 mark really hit home for me - being active duty Navy for 18 yrs, the disconnect of "Top Brass" and the the ones "in the trenches" is so accurate. I couldn't tell you how many times I've heard things are working perfect and nothing is wrong, compared to what is actually the case - old, falling apart equipment; outdated tech, poor business practices and low morale. It's not ALL doom and gloom, but updating our homeland and abroad defenses (across all branches) should be a top priority. I think the biggest hurdle (apart from retention) is that our military is extremely widespread to the point that the U.S. military blankets every aspect of everything - ground based missles to subs to radar and radio transmitter sites around the globe to every possible ship and plane platform conceived and now even space and the cyber sector; defense is needed of course, but the occupation of every square inch of it can be overwhelming, thus leading to upkeep, upgrade and logistical nightmares that never seem to end. Us vets get the job done with what little time and supplies we have, but that won't keep the U.S. afloat forever. The USS Fitzgerald, USS John McClain and even BHR incidents come to mind - and that was just because of personnel and training.

We really take for granted the incredible military that we have in our country. Its easy to pick apart small things, but no one should doubt the great nation we are privileged to live in. ❤ 🇺🇸

Lots of respect to the bright missilers and commanders to hold them on such a high standards. It is hugely important job. And its a very sophisticated - well thought system

Wow the whole panel just looked at each other helplessly? This is not leadership. Being uncomfortable with questions makes you look guilty, just ask any detective! Great job Sir. Keep up the honest work.

Very interesting piece.

"TWO! TWO!"
For those who don't know this mindset I pretty well engrained throughout the whole military. With very few exceptions the smallest operation capable unit is two.
I learned it in Army Infantry school, then it was emphasized later in the Airborne. Our phrase was "Two is one, one is none."

Was a maintainer in SAC in the 80"s. Awedome job, great Officers, NCO's and airmen. Everyone was held to the highest of standards

I was very excited to see Eric Schlosser appear as a guest. I have read Command and Control a few times and its truly fascinating. Schlosser did an outstanding job compiling the history of nukes and missiles through the US’s development of said missiles

Very interesting. I've known a little bit about all that was presented on this show. My dad worked on the Atlas, and later, the minute man missile system. It goes all the way back to 1962. He always said that all those science fiction movies depicting all out war in space all had a little bit of truth tied to it.

There were almost countless accidents (many aircraft crashes mostly) in the 1950s and 60s. It's really astounding. Twice we "accidentally" dropped bombs on ourselves. Many other times we jettisoned bombs into the water--even into the St. Lawrence. We crashed a bomber in Spain, with one bomb exploding on impact but thankfully only the HE part of it not the atomic part! Heck, even an A4 Skyhawk went off a carrier into the ocean and was lost forever--atomic bomb included.

I have always wondered if the ICBMs have a self-destruct capability in case of mistaken launch controlled by the Pentegon, and if so this would never be disclosed - given the worst case scenario.

Oops my my! What a thorough thoughtful research before let it on screen for us and not only for entertaining but also to broaden knowledge of viewers. And a fantastic organised narration of course.

Minot has endured frequent high-level dismissals over the past two decades, including the 91st Missile Wing Operations Support Squadron commander in 2021, the 69th Bomb Squadron and 91st Security Forces Group commanders in 2018, the 741st Missile Squadron commander in 2014, the 91st Missile Wing commander in 2009 and the 5th Bomb Group commander in 2007.

I was stationed there for 3 years in the early 2000s as a civil structural engineer. For the enlisted they would set you up on the test and you could take it as many times as you needed to pass. This was going on when I was there. We never passed inspections and nothing ever happened. These missile bases are known as burner based. The troops get burnt out having nothing but there duty. You are in the middle of no where. They have the highest discharge rates in the armed services. Also on the enlisted side you can get stuck at one of these bases as a missiler for 5-10years because it’s hard to fully train a replacement before they get out and don’t re-up. It’s one of the worst long term assignments in the AF.

I believe that it's really nice that our Ole Country has at least a 10 year, (probably longer), advantage in Space devices of all kinds Over the Chinese. I'm also really Glad that our Space Command is Managed & Led by some REALLY Sharp & Capable General Officers. In this 60 Minutes report, these Officer's expressed a True since of confidence in the Extremely important job that they're responsible for and I APPLAUD Them.

My great grandfather designed and managed the crews who built every single missile silo from Colorado to south Dakota...its a pretty damned cool to have a direct tie to one of the most nostalgic thing in america

I've always thought those chairs in the missile control rooms looked extremely comfortable. I wonder if there is a place we can buy them that are not surplus and worn out.

I grew up in Florida during the 50s and 60s and I remember well the Cuban missile crisis . I remember in school we had to quickly get under our desks and place books on top of our heads when an alarm sounded, and it was quite random. We never knew when it was going to sound and it was quite frequent. My grandmother was a city employee and a member of the Civil Defense and had a bomb shelter installed behind her house. Everyone was scared to the point of being considered paranoid and those civil defense signs were everywhere. I've always been under the impression ever since that any day could end the reign of humanity here on earth ... Any day any hour ! I love my country but ... I definitely do not approve of these weapons.

i remember a long time ago i was told that only 4% of the Air Force fly jets and whatnot. after watching this, it now makes sense. didn't know the Air Force did this kind of stuff. pretty cool. /salute

Growing up in the heart of North Dakota as a kid, we had 2 silos that were stationed on our farmland. Interesting times back in the 70's and 80's....I remember working in our fields whether it was spring cultivation, and planting wheat or barley. Or the Harvesting in the fall. I would see the security soldiers that were on patrol keeping an eye on the perimeter. I remember on a piece of farmland that we leased for harvesting and where one of the silos was, the nose cone of the missile was hoisted above ground maybe 15 feet out of the silo tube, as a crew of 3 were washing the upper part of the missile!!, with what looked like regular brushes... I found that very interesting!

A story I actually enjoyed and felt like it was truthful. Good job 60 minutes. I haven't said that in a decade or longer.