JEFF, COULD YOU START BY TELLING ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ORDINARY, ROUTINE LIFE OF THE MISSILE CREW? TELL ME HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.

I think the biggest impact on the crew force or the crew member is the 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 the job.

DESCRIBE FOR ME TO START WITH, BEFORE WE DO THAT, HOW OFTEN YOU'RE ON DUTY, HOW LONG FOR, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, OKAY?

There's varieties of alert duties. In other words, you have—as a line crew member, you will pull eight alerts a month. As an instructor, which myself and Mike are, we will pull two alerts a month. And we have instructor duties that involve training the crew force. As an evaluator, you would also have two alerts. So in our positions as instructors, we do pull two alerts a month.

HOW LONG IS EACH [CAMERA INSTRUCTIONS] HOW LONG DOES EACH ALERT DUTY LAST?

The alert duty, the normal time is about 24 hours. It depends a lot on the weather conditions, the time of the year, obviously. If the roads are bad or the weather prevents it, it might be a few hours more but 24 hours is the normal alert.

AND WHAT'S THE NORMAL ROUTINE DURING THAT 24 HOURS? CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

After you assume the alert, the first thing that most crews would do is accomplish their inspections of the capsule itself. That usually takes anywhere from probably 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of work, the maintenance that is going on in the area. After that, most of the time maybe you sit down and relax for a little while. Possibly it will be lunch time by then. After that a lot of crews would do a self-study. A lot of people do, work on their Masters degrees, things of that nature. You've always got maintenance to monitor in the field as well as in the site, capsule itself. So it can really vary quite a bit. It just depends on that particular day what's been established.

DO TESTS OCCUR DURING THE DAY? LIKE WE SAW THAT. WHAT WAS THAT THING THAT WE SAW WHEN WE STARTED TO FILM TODAY? WHY WOULD THAT HAPPEN IN A NORMAL DAY?

As Mike described...

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As Mike described...

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As Mike described, the inspection itself would require different tests, varieties of tests that are checking the buffers, checking the system to see that it is 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.

NOW LET'S ASSUME WE WERE ON AT Q-01, HOW MANY MISSILES ARE UNDER YOU COMMAND?

At Quebec-01 we would have a number of missiles depending on how many capsules were up and through the modification to Peacekeeper we have two flights at this point that we're in charge of. So we can have anywhere from nine to 11 missiles that we would be in charge of.

AND AT Q-01, ARE THEY ALL PEACEKEEPERS AT THE MOMENT?

That would be the only way that you could pull—you would have only a Peacekeeper capsule or a Minuteman capsule, never mixed.

IS THERE MUCH DIFFERENCE?

I think the difference mainly is in small portions of the equipment that you are dealing with. The commands are fairly similar. I would say about 65 to 70 percent of the commands can be very common to either the Minuteman crew member or the Peacekeeper crew member. But there's that threshold that you start getting into different commands that just aren't the same. They are checking different systems. You're asking the missile just a little bit different type of question, so you are going to get back a different type of response. Some of the requirements we had in Minuteman are no longer required. So we've stepped up a little bit in our technology, well, quite a bit in our technology.

WHAT ABOUT THE RETARGETING? IS THAT EASIER WITH THIS MISSILE THAN IT WAS WITH MINUTEMAN?

The retargeting is fairly similar. There are some differences, obviously, but the retargeting aspect of either missile is fairly the same.

IS THERE MUCH TENSION WHEN YOU ARE ON DUTY, WHEN YOU ARE PULLING AN ALERT? DO YOU FEEL MUCH TENSION IN THE CAPSULE?

I don't believe the tension that you feel during an alert really plays that big a part. For the most part it is something we are trained to do every day. It's not something I personally think about, "This is a really tense, stressful situation," while you are pulling the alert because it is very normal. There is nothing really to make it that way. Certain times, certain exercises that possibly go on, they certainly bring the amount of tension up. But I would say on an everyday alert, no. It's pretty much a day at work.

HAVE YOU FELT ANY DIFFERENCE BEING IN CHARGE OF A PEACEKEEPER FLIGHT RATHER THAN A MINUTEMAN FLIGHT? I MEAN YOU DESCRIBED THAT THERE ARE A FEW TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES BUT IS THERE ANY ACTUALLY DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THAT YOU APPROACH YOUR JOB, THAT YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR JOB.

When I actually go on alert, no, I say there is no difference. Obviously, when you think about the two differences in the missiles you have the differences in the Peacekeeper. There are more warheads involved. Obviously, yes. You have to think about that. But as far as actually pulling the alert, the things that we do on alert, I would say there is no difference.

WOULD YOU ANSWER THE SAME QUESTION JEFF?

Can you repeat the question?

YEAH. DO YOU FEEL ANY DIFFERENCE BEING IN CHARGE OF A FLIGHT OF PEACEKEEPER MISSILES THAN YOU DID WHEN YOU WERE IN CHARGE OF A FLIGHT OF MINUTEMAN MISSILES?

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 new things. That has—it is just as with anything. When you are given a new challenge, a new idea that you have to comprehend, it's always a—it makes life a lot better. And I think Peacekeeper has 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 with Peacekeeper. So, having done that it gives me a great pleasure being part of the system that I helped bring on, for lesson plans, for scripts, for the missile procedures trainer—developing all those things that 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 is part of what makes up the Peacekeeper system, too. It's a nice example of it.

WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR JOB?

Deterrence. Knowing your job, being on alert, absolutely knowing what it is that you are there for, and that is deterrence. 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 it allows us. That is what our job is for. I think we have to practice and practice and make sure we know what we are here for. And maybe the more we do that, there is greater chance we will never have to do our job.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR JOB?

I would agree. Deterrence is the most important part of the job. Basically, we're trained day in and day out to do this job. We're also—we're being trained so we don't have to do it. Because of the crew members that are on alert every day, I believe keeps us at peace.

HOW IMPORTANT A NEW MISSILE IS THE PEACEKEEPER IN YOUR OPINION?

I think it is very important. I think it allows us the greater capabilities to insure deterrence is met. I am not one to make decisions on politics. It's not my job. That's the President's decision and I'll back him in whatever decisions he makes. It's my job as an Air Force officer. The Peacekeeper missile is a very important step towards insuring that we do keep that deterrence.

DOES IT CONCERN YOU THAT A LOT OF, THERE WAS A LOT OF AN ATTEMPT—I MEAN THERE WAS A LOT OF TIME SPENT TRYING TO FIND A SURVIVABLE BASING MODE FOR THE MISSILE BUT NOW IT IS IN THESE SILOS. DOES THAT IN ANY WAY WORRY YOU OR CONCERN YOU OR THINK A MISSILE 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 basing mode was right and that they knew what they were doing. And that's the confidence I have in my superiors.

ARE YOU PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO, MIKE?

Yes, I am. I'm very proud of what we do. I think it's a very important job and think it is something that has to be done. And I'm glad that I'm a part of it, that I'm part of the Peacekeeper weapon system and that we do what we do, that we do it so well.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, JEFF, ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR JOB?

I'm very proud. This morning we were sitting in pre-D. And our DO, Colonel Reising steps up in front of the people. Our wing commander is there. And he is presenting a plaque. Do you know what that plaque 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 force. And there is only one base and one crew force, right now that has Peacekeeper. And that's us at F.E. Warren. We have a lot of pride in what we do. And it's a quality force all the way through. We take great efforts to make sure we're that way. And those kind of things tell us that we're doing right.

CAPTAIN ROBLES, I'M WONDERING WHETHER YOU CAN THINK RIGHT NOW WHAT IT IS THAT YOUR COUNTERPART IN RUSSIA IS DOING AT THIS MOMENT.

That's the first time I've ever been asked that question! My gosh... I've thought about that when I've seen films. I think they just had some news people go over to Russia for the one day, the seven days that they went through. I would have to imagine that they've got the same things, the same complaints about the schedule, same complaints about working too hard, same complaints 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 have the same pride in the camaraderie that they can develop between their people. I don't think their job is much different from ours. I think they have deterrents, too. At least I hope that's the case. So what he's doing right now is most probably on alert, reading Pravda. So, I don't know.

THAT'S A GREAT ANSWER. CAN YOU SAY THE LAST PART AGAIN BUT SAY MY RUSSIAN COUNTERPART OR THE GUY SITTING IN...

Oh, okay. I would say that the counterpart crew member is most probably sitting on alert reading Pravda.

LET ME ASK YOU, I DON'T WANT TO BE A PAIN, BUT, ONE MORE TIME SAYING, RUSSIAN COUNTERPART.

Okay. I believe my Russian counterpart on alert is most probably reading Pravda.

LIEUTENANT LUFT, HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOUR COUNTERPART IS DOING IN THE SOVIET UNION IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, THE SAME MISSION?

I would assume that our Soviet counterparts are also pulling alerts very 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 come into play that probably we don't have the knowledge of that we couldn't really speak from. But I'm sure that their alerts are very similar to ours. Their additional duties are the same as what we have here as well. And I'm sure they hear very much the same stories that we do.

AND WHAT ABOUT THEIR MISSION?

I certainly hope their mission would be very similar to ours, is deterrence. I don't believe there is anyone in the world that would want to enter into a nuclear war. There are no winners and no losers. But I would hope that theirs is very similar to ours.

I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU, THINKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE YOU GO THROUGH SPENDING THESE EIGHT DAYS A MONTH DOING THIS YEAR AFTER YEAR, DOES IT EVER GET TIRING, GOING THROUGH THESE ALERTS, SITTING HERE HOUR AFTER HOUR WAITING FOR A WARNING THAT NEVER COMES?

I don't know if I'd necessarily class pulling alerts as being tiring or boring as such. You need—there are certain times it's very quiet. There's not a lot going on in the missile field. Maybe there is no maintenance going on at that particular time. But you need to take advantage possibly of those slower times to do some self-improvement, work on your Masters' degree, do some self-study of the weapons system itself. There is always going to be an evaluation around the corner that that you are not expecting that you need to be prepared for. Actually, the physical process of going out on alert, you know, getting there doing changeover and assuming the alert, I wouldn't classify it as being boring. Certainly you do it so much it is almost second nature. But it is just something, it is part of the alerts. But I believe that you need to make the most of the duty that we have. And it's a prime time for many additional things that we can do for ourselves.

CAPTAIN ROBLES, I WANT TO ASK YOU A SIMILAR QUESTION, WHETHER IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO BE IN A CAREER, A JOB HERE WHERE YOU ARE WAITING FOR AN ALERT THAT NEVER COMES.

I don't think I've ever once, and I can honestly say this, that I have ever once sat back and said, "I'm just waiting for a warning that is never going to come." I think I have to look at it—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 it as something 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, it boggles my mind. 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. I disciplines you. So I just look at each day as another opportunity.

BOTH OF YOU SITTING HERE AS A TEAM, IF YOU WERE A REAL TEAM, HAVE YOU EVER... DO YOU EVER SIT AND TALK WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IF THE ORDER TO LAUNCH REALLY CAME THROUGH?

I can't say as we actually sit down and talk about it on a normal alert. We are trained for it. And it would be second nature for us if the order actually came through. I don't know particularly if we would sit there and have a lengthy discussion over it, certainly not what would we do if that would happen. That just doesn't happen. We're trained to react to valid, presidential orders. There's no question about it. You know, there is no discussion involved in actually doing that particular job.

What Mike is saying, also, I think is pretty general throughout the crew force. Our job is to do that. So we train what we would do in that situation, so if you consider talking about it, what our actions would be. Yeah, we talk about it. I think the person we talk a lot about it to, with—married life, you've got your wife. You talk to her. You talk to your crew buddy on the way out. There are things that you ask yourself but it is more on a logic basis. What would—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 play a big portion in our life.

You betcha!

You couldn't survive without them.

That's right.

CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TALKED ABOUT?

Sure. What would you do if the message...

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Sure. What would you do if the message did come? You know, you ask yourself that. And you find out her opinion. You get her ideas on it and what she thinks. 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 99.9 of the wives are behind us.

Absolutely.

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 of those things, is the fact that we are doing our job. So she's behind it, definitely, 100 percent.

...ARE SITTING THERE IN THEIR MISSILE TRAINING SITE, MISSILE SILOS...

I DIDN'T QUITE HEAR THE ANSWER, BUT DID YOU SAY YOU HOPED THEY WERE DOING THEIR JOB AS WELL AS YOU DO YOURS?

Yes.

Yes.

GOOD. THAT IS WHAT I WOULD THINK.

We certainly hope so... Yeah, we hope they have the same values as we for that.

...OKAY, CAPTAIN ROBLES, IF YOU COULD JUST SAY AGAIN... IF YOU COULD JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TALKING OVER WITH YOUR FAMILY WHAT YOUR JOB IS.

Sure. My wife and I have asked each other, what would happen if the message came and I was on alert. Is it a good thing that I do my job or is it 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've made. And this has been a real, critical decision in our lives. And to think that she, and most probably, this is not a bad estimate, but about 95 to 99 percent of the crew force's wives I think feel the same way. Because it lets them be the family they want to be in free society because we are going our job.

ANOTHER QUESTION IS, I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE THAT BECAUSE THE PEACEKEEPER HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF WARHEADS THAT IT IS PROBABLY A PRIME TARGET FOR THE SOVIET UNION TO STRIKE—PROBABLY ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT ONES FOR THEM TO HIT FIRST. AND THE QUESTION IS, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE HERE AND YOU'RE PROBABLY GROUND ZERO OF A VERY IMPORTANT TARGET, PRIORITY TARGET?

That's a valid question, valid statement. But you've got to understand that Minuteman was here a long time. Twenty-five years it's been here. And it's been ground zero since day one. So for Peacekeeper to be added to the system, doesn't change anything. And when we came here to be a Minuteman crew addition, 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 of 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 has 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 is ground zero hasn't changed anything. It's made it more dear and more important.

...SUMMARY OF WHAT YOUR MISSION IS HERE.

I would say that our mission here is deterrence for the country. We are appointed by the President to do our job, to do our job here. And basically, our mission is to protect the country. We hope we never have to do the job we are trained for.

OKAY. LET ME HEAR YOU SUMMARIZE YOUR MISSION HERE.

Mission here is to, I think the primary mission here is to bulwarks, to do your job as a crew member, whether it be eight alerts, six alerts, two alerts. That's the primary mission. If you fail at you that, you've failed at what you are here for. The additional jobs, the instructor duties, evaluator duties, those are second, but they are important.

IS IT HARD TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE PUTTING, YOU KNOW, ALL OF YOUR, YOU HAVE TO TRUST ALL OF THIS VERY COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY AROUND YOU?

Another good question. 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 of. The systems themselves are double checked, re-checked, 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 re-check the systems. There are so many safeguards and duplicate systems that for me to think that all of them are going to fail at the same time, I just can't imagine that. So, yes, I have a lot of faith in the system, quite a bit of faith.