Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. (March 15, 2025): They call it “the box”, and its occupants are charged with defending America against the unthinkable. In this photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers, Airman 1st Class Vincent Rymar lowers himself into a trainer missile silo. These silos simulate an ICBM launch control center at one of the country’s three nuclear launch sites in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota.

America’s missileers begin their training at Vanderburg AFB, California, under the exacting instructors of the 532d Training Squadron. The squadron is responsible for all training in ICBM operations and missile maintenance and the unit graduates approximately one hundred students each year. Training continues at individual launch facilities guided by season instructors.

Every nuclear silo is staffed by at least two people at all times, a Nuclear and Missile Operation officer, and a Missile Combat Crewmember. At the sprawling 14,000 square mile Malstrom complex, teams pull twenty-four-hour shifts at its 150 launch facilities. This system was developed after World War II when trained aviators staffed America’s newly built nuclear silos. Later generations would become missileers as a career choice.

The daily workload for missileers begins with a shift “changeover” procedure with the outgoing staff. After the capsule door closed, the new crew checks the maintenance logs and inspects support equipment. The duration of their shift is spent running practice drills, reviewing procedures, or preparing for inspections. Should a crew receive an Emergency Action Message over the Strategic Air Command radio, they would open a locked box containing the “cookies” or message authentication codes. Once authenticated, the crew members simultaneously turn their keys, initiating the launch.

This terrible responsibility is carried out every day by these quiet professionals who are charged with the ultimate duty to protect the nation.