[jdubner]

> I wonder how often the missile is in alert status?

In 1972-74 when I was a Minuteman I launch officer (DMCCC) our 10 missiles were /always/ on alert. You would expect to see 10 green "Strategic Alert" lights across the crew commander's (MCCC's) console unless something was wrong (requiring maintenance or a brief calibration).

IIRC we were in a perpetual state of DEFCON 4 in those days.

[ricksunny]

Interesting -

As a Minuteman launch officer, I'd be curious what are your thoughts on the incursion accounts of launch officers Robert Salas & David Schindele? (I understand there were comparable reports going into the 1970s as well but I'm not as familiar with those)

Salas @ Malmstrom https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-air-force-personnel-ufos-dea...

Schindele @ Minot: https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2023/06/forme...

[trollerator23]

I was gonna say, they were always on alert. It's in the book. The inertial platforms at least were always spinning because it took a long time (minutes) to spin them up, or down.