The Keys to Armageddon: A Cold War Nuclear Missile Officer's Story (391)

The Keys to Armageddon: A Cold War Nuclear Missile Officer's Story (391)

Jim is a former Minuteman nuclear missile officer who served in the US Air Force. Throughout the episode, Jim shares first-hand accounts of life in the launch control centre. From evaluations to the strict checklist orientations, every aspect of his training was designed to ensure that he and his crew were prepared for the weighty responsibilities they bore. We also discuss false alarms, intense simulations and emergency procedures, enabling you to gain a profound understanding of the pressure and seriousness of the role. Jim also reflects on the gravity of turning the keys to launch missiles and the sobering reality of what that would mean for humanity. Don’t miss the link to the videos and photos in the episode information here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode391 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Ron - a veteran of the Korean War & the Malayan Emergency (195)

Ron - a veteran of the Korean War & the Malayan Emergency (195)

Ron Knight served in the Royal Marines on HMS Belfast during the Korean War of 1950-53. He was a gunner and describes the shore bombardments and how his gun was used in anti-aircraft defence. We also ...

27 Aug 202155min

The Gouzenko Affair - the start of the Cold War (194)

The Gouzenko Affair - the start of the Cold War (194)

Igor Gouzenko exposed Soviet intelligence's efforts to steal nuclear secrets as well as the technique of planting sleeper agents. The "Gouzenko Affair" is often credited as a triggering event of the C...

20 Aug 20211h 17min

Flying the F-111 nuclear bomber (193)

Flying the F-111 nuclear bomber (193)

Rick Shreve was a USAF F111 pilot based at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. We hear about his early USAF career as a fighter pilot, then we move onto his transfer to the F111 and how he was trained to carry ...

13 Aug 20211h 28min

The forgotten cosmonaut (192)

The forgotten cosmonaut (192)

This week it's the 60th anniversary of the flight of Gherman Titov on Vostok 2. The forgotten 2nd cosmonaut overshadowed by the exploits of his friend Yuri Gagarin. Titov’s 25.3 hours and 17 orbits fl...

10 Aug 202156min

A workers view of Poland from Łódź in 1986 (191)

A workers view of Poland from Łódź in 1986 (191)

Evan McGilvray has written a number of books on Poland as well as biographies. He is well versed in Poland and Polish society and away from the usual locations of Krakow and Warsaw. Evan first visited...

6 Aug 202154min

Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin (190)

Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin (190)

On November 18, 1965, U.S. Navy pilot Willie Sharp ejected from his F-8 fighter after being hit while positioned over a target in North Vietnam. With a cloud layer beneath him, he did not know if he w...

30 Juli 20211h 8min

Philippe - A French soldier in Cold War Berlin (189)

Philippe - A French soldier in Cold War Berlin (189)

The French Forces in Berlin were the units of the French Armed Forces stationed from 1945 until the end of the Cold War-era in West Berlin according to the agreements of the Yalta Conference and Potsd...

23 Juli 202159min

A Czechoslovak family's escape to Austria (188)

A Czechoslovak family's escape to Austria (188)

We continue Drea Hahn’s story with her family’s escape to Austria and the realities of being a refugee.  In 1986, under the pretext of a “ski trip” to Yugoslavia Drea’s family escaped to Austria. We h...

16 Juli 20211h 3min

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