WEBVTT

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(intrepid music)

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- [Narrator] During the early
decades of Air Force history,

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there was a near constant awareness

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of the challenges posed
by the nuclear age.

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Throughout the 1950's, the U.S.

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was in an arms race with the Soviet Union.

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Because of this, the Air Force developed

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the first intercontinental
ballistic missile,

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known as the Atlas.

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Although the U.S. had
nuclear capabilities,

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the race was still on.

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The Air Force developed
solid fuel propellant,

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which allowed for instant combustion

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and faster launch times.

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(rocket engine roars)

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This led to the mass production of the

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Minute-Man weapon system.

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Commander of Air Force Systems Command,

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General Bernard Shriever pioneered a way

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to simultaneously
develop multiple missiles

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to speed up the production process.

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Being able to develop multiple
ICBMs at the same time

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enabled the Minute-Man
system to rapidly improve.

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Today, the Minute-Man 3
is the U.S.' premier ICBM,

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boasting a safe, reliable,
and lethal nuclear deterrent.

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(rocket engine roars)