WEBVTT

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- Since 1970, the Minuteman III

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Intercontinental Ballistic
Missile has served

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as the nation's strategic weapons system

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and the most responsive
leg of the nuclear triad.

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On August 19th, 1970, the U.S.
Air Force placed the first

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Minuteman III on alert status

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at the 741st Strategic Missile Squadron

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at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

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Initially, Minuteman
III's planned service life

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was 10 years.

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Today, 50 years later,

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Minuteman III is still on alert
and will continue to serve

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as the bedrock of nuclear
deterrence until its replacement,

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the Ground Based Strategic
Deterrent, is fully operational.

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(dramatic music)