atlasmissile

The missile in this image is Atlas 34D (58-2205) the first operational missile shipped to at FE Warren AFB, WY's on the 564th SMS LSB A-3. Atlas 39D (58-2210) was another operational ICBM that was delivered to FE Warren AFB on 10-Feb-60 and launched from Vandenberg AFB, CA's' 576th SMS LSB B-2 on 25-Jan-63 in "Operation Big Sue".

Convair S/N 83F USAF S/N 61-2569 Acceptance date: 9 Jul 1962 Delivery date: 19 Sep 1962 Launched 21 Mar 1963

"SAC Chief Congratulates Convair On First Operational Launching" (Convairiety, Vol. 12, No. 20, September 30, 1959). "AF Atlas Launch First of Series from Vandenberg. Headlines across the nation and abroad last week proclaimed the first Air Force launching of an Atlas missile from Vandenberg AFB, California. Already in motion are plans for future launchings by other Air Force crews. September 9 (1959) saw a Strategic Air Command (SAC) crew from the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron send Atlas 12D on a 4,300-mile flight which terminated near Wake Island. Capt. Gerald J. Winchell, launch control officer for crew No. 1, pressed the launch button at 10:49 am. Around him in the blockhouse were other members of this crew, plus select Convair technicians to assist as needed. Gen. Thomas Power, SAC commander, reported elation in the event at a post-flight briefing. 'It's operational; I'm more than satisfied,' General Power said." (Convairiety Vol. 12, No. 19, September 16, 1959)