War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Interview with Michael Luft and Jeff Robles, 1987

Jeff could you close by telling me a little bit about the ordinary routine line of the missile. Tell me what how the. System works. I think the biggest biggest impact on the crew for sure are the crew members see alert. And I think that's what makes up our job and what we train for. Our training encompasses making sure we know our job backwards and forwards. So I think. Mainly first and foremost is said it's a job. I mean. There's no way. I'm going. To do it. I just can't do it. I'm just I'm. Just. Getting up tight. Discussion for me to start with you know. How often you're on duty how long for. You to vote. There's varieties of alert duties. In other words you have. As a line crew member you

will call eight alerts a month. As an instructor which myself and Mike are. We will pull to a large amount and we have instructor duties that involve training the crew force as an evaluator you would also have two pillars. So in our positions as instructors we do call to alert tonight. How long is each. Month. Will we see you learned in normal time is about 24 hours. Depends a lot on the weather conditions time of the year obviously if if the roads are bad or the weather prevented might be a few hours more than 24 hours of. What state normal routines are not to me for. You to Know. After you suddenly alert. The first thing that the most crews would would do is accomplish their inspections of the capsule itself. That. Usually takes anywhere from probably 30 minutes to an hour depending on the other metaphor.

The main is going on in the area. After that. Most of time you maybe it's a Gen X for a little while but. Possibly be lunch time by then. After that a lot of cruises would do self-study. A lot of people do work on their master's degrees things of that nature. You always got maintenance to monitor in the field as well as at the at the site capsule itself. So that you can really vary quite a bit. It just depends on that particular day what what's been established. Do and go back to. Do tests occur during the day like we saw that was nothing. We still own the game. Why why would that happen. As Mike described it. As Mike described to you thank you. OK. As Mike described the inspection itself would require different test varieties of. Tests that are checking the buffers checking the system see that it's talking back and forth to the missiles that were up and operating with the other capsules. And that

test that we saw earlier allowed us to check all the buffer systems throughout the capsule and to ensure that all our indicators and lighting is good that we're going to receive the indications from the missile that we should. The time that that takes. Allows us the confidence that our equipment is running. Very well. And assume you are on it. We want to learn. How many missiles are under your command. At Quebec one that we would have a number of of missiles depending on how many capsules were up and through the modification to peacekeeper we have two flights at this point that were charge of so we can have anywhere from nine to 11 missiles that we would be. In charge of. And one of the old peacekeepers. Did that would be the only way that you could pull it you would have only a peacekeeper. Capsule or a Minuteman Castle never mixed. Isn't much different.

I think the difference mainly is in the small portions of the equipment that you're dealing with. The commands are fairly similar. I would say about 65 70 percent of the commands can be very common to either the minimum crew member of the peacekeeper crew member but there's that threshold that you start getting into different commands that just aren't the same. They're checking different systems. You're asking that the missile just a little bit different type of question so you're going to get back a different type of response. Some of the requirements we had in Minuteman are no longer required. So if it were We've stepped up a little bit in our in our technology Well quite a bit of technology. What about the retargeting is that easy business and it was with him and. The retarding is fairly similar. There are some differences obviously but the retargeting aspect of the missiles fairly the same. He. Is so much tension when you're on duty when you're winning you

know you feel much tension in the cast. I don't believe the attention. That you failed during a late on alert really plays a big part of it for the most part. It's something we're trying to do every day. It's not something I personally think about hey this is a really tense stressful situation while you're on the alert because it's very normal. There's nothing nothing really to make it that way a certain time certain exercises possibly go on. They certainly bring the amount of tension. I would say on an everyday alert you know. It's pretty much a day work. Is it do you have you felt any difference to be in charge of a peacekeeper flight rather than. You know like I mean you just got to do a few technical differences that is there any actual difference in the way that you approach a job that you feel that you will actually go on alert. You know I say there's no difference. Obviously. When you think about the two differences in the missiles you have. The differences in the peacekeeper the more

warheads that are involved. Obviously yes you know you have to think about that that. But as far as actually pulling the alert the things that we do on alert I would say there's no difference. Did you also see this. Can you repeat the question do you feel any difference being in charge of the flight of Peacekeeper missiles and you did when you enjoy the. Night not that much difference I think. The key for me is that. We've gone one step further in our technology. We've had to learn a new thing that has it's just as with anything when you're given a new challenge a new idea that you have to comprehend it's always makes life a lot better. And I think peacekeepers allowed us to do that we've had from the very beginning we've had to develop the lesson plans for the crews we've had to step through all the step ones that were done with Minuteman but now had to be done. So. Having done that it gives me great pleasure being part of the system that I helped bring on

for the lesson plans for scripts for. The missile procedures train are. Developing all of those things that. They were part of what makes up the peacekeeper system and being with some very high caliber people. I think the quality of the crew force is exceptional and I think that's part of what makes a peacekeeper system to its. It's a nice example of it. What's the most important. Job. Deterrence. Knowing your job being on alert. Absolutely. Knowing what it is that you're there for and that is determined. And the better we know our job and the best way that we can know our job is to practice it and be on alert and be professional. The. Times that we do that on alert. Are the times that allow us to have. I think the peace in the world I think the. Ability for our children to go anywhere they want in the United States anywhere in the world. That allows us. That is what our job is for. I think we have to practice and

practice and make sure we know what we're here for. And. Maybe the more we do that there's a greater chance we'll never have to do our job. Yes. It. Was the most important part of your job. How to be a deterrence is the most important part of the job. Basically we're trained day in and day out to do this or Also we're being trained so that we don't have to do it. Because. Of the crew members that are on alert every day. I believe keeps us at peace. Given to just. How important and is the peacekeeper. I think is very important. I think it. Allows us the. Greater capabilities to ensure deterrence is met. And not one to make decisions on politics is not my job. That's the

president's decision and I'll back him in whatever decisions he makes. And that's my job as an Air Force officer. The Peacekeeper missile is a very important step. Towards ensuring that we do keep that to turn. Does it concern you that a lot of them. There was a lot of attention. I mean there's a lot of time spent trying to find a survivor with a single. Missing now it's in the silence does that. In any way where you were concerned you were thinking this might be. Worth less because of it. I wish I had the wisdom to know. That everything was perfect. But I've got to have the confidence that whoever made the decision to put it in this face and all. Was right. And if they knew what they were doing. And that's the confidence I have and my superiors. Just wouldn't. You. Be proud of what you did. Yes I. Probity. Plays a very important job and I think it's something that that has to be

done. And I. Was glad that I was part of it. But over the peacekeeper weapon system. That we do what we do that we do so well. What about you are. You proud of me. And I'm very proud. This morning we were sitting in. An art deal. Colonel Reese. Steps up in front of the people. Our one commander is there. He's presenting a plan you know that Pike said. That the inspector general had inspected us and we had the highest. Results seen in some 10 to 13 years. This base. This crew for. There's only one base and one crew for right now. That has peacekeeper. And that's us if you want. We have a lot of pride. In what we do. And it's a quality for all the way through. We take great efforts to make sure that we're that way. And those kind of things tell us that we're doing.

This is a. Speed. Camera list. And wondering whether you. Can see right now. What it is that your kid. Is doing. That's the first time I've ever been asked that question. I've thought about that when I've seen. Films. I think they just had some news people go over to. Russia. For that. One day. Seven days if they want to. I would have to imagine they've got the same thing. The same complaints about the schedule same complaints about working too hard same complains about weekends. Same good things. Same pride in their weapons systems same

pride in the fact that they've got to learn quite a bit to do their job. I think they should have the same pride in their camaraderie that they can. Develop between their people. I don't think their job is much different from ours. I think they have to turn. To. At least I hope that's the case. So. What he's doing right now. Is Most cry on alert. Reading progress. So I don't know. Oh. OK. OK. I would say that the the. Counterpart crewmember. Is most rice sitting on alert. Reading Proctor. And. The emergency. Mission. OK. I believe my Russian counterpart on alert is most by reading problem.

Look at you with your. Situation. I would assume that our that our Soviet counterparts or are also boilers were similar to ours. I don't think the crew life can really be that much different. They do the same type of things we do there are obvious differences in the military structure that probably go inflated maybe we don't have the knowledge of that but we really could speak from. That. I'm sure that their alerts are very sort of ours there are additional duties of the same as what we have here is one that I'm sure they are very much the same story that we do. So. I certainly hope their mission would be very similar ours is deterrence. I don't believe there's anyone in the world that want to go into a nuclear war. There's no winners no losers. But.

I would hope that there is a verse or. An answer you think you know it seems you go through. Here. Does it ever get tiring. Going to. See. You. I don't know if I'd necessarily class plane lurches being tiring or boring. As such you need. There are certain times that it's very quiet. There's not a lot going on in the missile missile field there's no maintenance going on at that particular time but you need to take advantage possibly of the slower times through some self-improvement work on your master's degree. Do some self study of the weapon system itself there's always going to be a valuation around the corner that you are expecting that you need to be prepared for. Actually the physical process of going out an alert. You know getting there doing changeover antics assuming alert. I wouldn't classify it as being boring. I mean certainly you do it so much that it is almost

second nature. This is so it's part of the point it alerts. I believe you need to make the most of the of the duty that we have and it's a problem time for many additional things that we can do for ourselves. You. Mean. Here. You. Mean. I don't think. I've ever wanted to. And I can honestly say that I have ever once. Sat back. And said. I'm just waiting for a warning that's never going to come. I think I have to look at it and I know I have to look at it as. Opportunities. And that is part of it. Everything that is given to us is a possibility to learn something more. I've looked at a something now I'm going to

use later on. When you look at what I've learned in four and a half years in the missile business. The things I can offer some. Supervisor later in my Air Force career. The perspectives I've seen. Boggles my mind and I never would have gotten this kind of thing. In the civilian life. I'm good at what I do. And I think part of that is the program itself. It instills that in you it forces you to be good disciplined. And so. I just look at each day as another opportunity. When. Both of you years. Will. You. Do you. Do you ever sit and talk with each other about what it would be like. To.

Marjorie. I can say is we actually sit down and talk about our normal work. We're trained for it. And. We've been second nature for us. You know if there were actually came through I don't know particularly if we would sit there have a lengthy discussion over it. And certainly no what would we do if that would happen but just doesn't have a we're trained to react. To valid presidential orders. There's no question about it we. You know there's no discussion involved in actually you know doing that particular job. What Mike is saying also. I think is pretty general throughout the code for. Our job is to do that so we train what we would do in that situation. So. If we. If. You consider talking about what our actions would be yeah we talk about it. I think the the person we talk

about a lot too. With his. Married. Life you vet your wife. You talk to her. You talk to your crew buddy on the way out. There's things that you ask yourself but it's more of a logical basis. What would have what. What's happening here what would. It Work out to be I think the person you ask more than anybody else is your wife. Families plead with. You but normally. You'd make it survive without her. Can you. See. You made. Sure. What would you do if that's your steps. Sure. What would you do if the message did come. Through you know you ask yourself that. And you find out her pain. You get her ideas on what she thinks and you start to get a real good idea of what she feels about your job and the job in general. And the funny thing is that I would say ninety nine point nine of the wives are behind. Because what allows them. To have their kids in the park and

be able to take the family out on a picnic to be able to be with you in all your career moves and do all those things is the fact that we're doing our job. So she's behind. 100 percent. I'm sitting there in their. Midst. And this. Is what. You say. Yes yes. This is what I did actually said you are so good as we let you know we'll there this I believe. OK we're going to skip the town. Just. So we have this be. His be. OK. You just can't get him. If you could. Just. Talk a little bit about. Your. Church. My wife and I have asked each other what would happen.

If the message came and I was on the alert. Is a good thing that when I do my job or as a bad thing. And her answer has always been supporting it. It's got to happen. The family has to come first. And for that to happen. People like myself have to do their job. I mean the family is the core of all of this. My wife. Pat has supported me in every move I made. And this has been a real critical decision in our lives. And to think that she. And most proud. And this is not a bad estimate but about. 95 to 99 percent of the crew forces wives. I think feel the same way. Because it lets them be the family they want to be in a free society. Because we're doing our job. MR. I'm sure you're aware that because. He's here. It's probably. Going to get. It's only. Just a.

Question is how does it feel to know that you're hearing families are here. You're. Going to. Be. Here. That's a valid question. Ballastic. But you gotta understand that M.A. is here a long time. Twenty five years it's been. And it's been ground zero since day one. So for peacekeeper to be added to the system doesn't change anything. And then we came here to be a minute man. Crew Ed.. We knew what we were doing. And we knew that the choice was made and that it was a wise choice. To be a part of the deterrence the United States Air Force. Is a very very proud thing to do. I can take a lot of pride in that. So. The decision's always been from day one knowing full well that this would be ground zero. Knowing full well that my family is here all my family was born here. All three children. In this spot.

F.E. Warren is a very very. Important Part of my life. So knowing it's Ground Zero hasn't changed. Anything. It's made it more dear and more important. Just get it. Right. Yes. You need. It. You can. Drink. You're. Desperate. Well if. You look at. Your list. Will be quite We're guessing. OK this is from tone deaf ears for the interview. Only it would be. Just. To be used. To you. When he was. Sick. He's going to talk.

To me what your mission is here. So that our mission here is. The target. For the country. Were appointed by the president to do our job. Your job here. And basically our mission is to protect the country. We hope we never have to do the job we're trained for. Just look at just don't look at me. Just look at. Me. Thank you. For your. Good. Looking. And your. Mission here is to. I think the primary mission here is to pull. To do your job as a crew member. Whether being alert six alerts to alert. That's a primary mission. If you fail at that you fail in what you're here for. The additional jobs and structure duties evaluator duties. Those are second but they're important.

This is. My Just looking question. MAGGIE. Right. Thank you. You're. Right. This is. Going. To win tonight. We're going. To. Have more. Speed. Is it hard to know that you're pretty. You know here. You have a chance to win this very complex to. Have a good course. No. I think again it's really important to look at the track record. We have the highest alert rate. Of. Any system that I know. The systems itself are double checked rechecked. Checked again. Every day day in and day out. The maintenance that we talked about earlier that's always out there. It's not maintenance to fix things so much as it is to double check and recheck the system.

There are so many safeguards and. Duplicate systems. That for me to think that all of them are going to fail the same time. I just can't imagine that. Yes I have a lot of faith in the system. Part of that.