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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:48:34 PM EDT
Tonight's featured avatar belongs to the member, Limaxray - a long term member of the site since 2002!
This avatar is that of one of several very important items found in a USAF Launch Control Center. The item featured is a key turn switch used for launching nuclear-tipped ICBMs. 
Shown here is how the interior of one of these Launch Control Centers appeared: 
Of course, when you have the potential of unleash weapons like this, it's important to maintain a sense of humor regarding the situation. For instance, as shown on the back of this blast door: 
Or as shown on this crew patch: 
An explanation of the patch - the missileers go on alert for a 24 hour period down in the LCC, the launch control center. As explained to me by a missileer, after they complete turnover with the outgoing crew, they get the multi-ton blast door closed and then the uniforms come off and the comfortable clothing goes on. This missileer went on to tell me that if he ever had to launch missiles, he was going to be wearing sweat pants. (If you haven't figured it out yet - Limaxray is a missileer.) (not the one I just mentioned though  )
....and now you know. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previously featured avatars: Maccrage Substandard 4v50 Vengarr Wwace Amos1909 BillythePoet Bradders StonerStudent Skebe Viator |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:51:00 PM EDT
[#1]
Nice, I think you should move on to hourly featured avatars.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:51:03 PM EDT
[#2]
Also, I like his sigline.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:51:15 PM EDT
[#3]
Cool.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:51:42 PM EDT
[#4]
These are good Johnny.
Keep it up. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:53:06 PM EDT
[#5]
Did not know that.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:53:31 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice, I think you should move on to hourly featured avatars. GrumpycatNO.jpg |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:00:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Nice.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:08:23 PM EDT
[#8]
Love this. You might work out yet, Johnny_Reno.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:15:24 PM EDT
[#9]
I have three questions...
1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:26:45 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? 1. On more than one several occasions. 
2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:27:27 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? Not a missileer but I think I can answer #2. The chairs are meant to keep the missile operators intact under incoming strikes and restraining the seats (and restraining the occupants via seat belts) helps accomplish that. The launch control is designed to work after some serious shocks. I wonder how many french fries ended up in those tracks 
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:29:02 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1. On more than one several occasions. 2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? 1. On more than one several occasions. 2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. and for my fourth question, yeah I wouldn't think the blast would really effect the launch room. Hopefully Limaxray will show up in this thread. ETA: LePew is probably correct, I never thought about incoming missles, just out going.. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:35:25 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
and for my fourth question, yeah I wouldn't think the blast would really effect the launch room. Hopefully Limaxray will show up in this thread. ETA: LePew is probably correct, I never thought about incoming missles, just out going..
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? 1. On more than one several occasions.
2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. and for my fourth question, yeah I wouldn't think the blast would really effect the launch room. Hopefully Limaxray will show up in this thread. ETA: LePew is probably correct, I never thought about incoming missles, just out going..
I believe that they're mounted on springs or some such thing that are designed to absorb some of the blast. It's hard for me to recall because it's been over 10 years. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:37:24 PM EDT
[#14]
Fun threads, thanks Johnny!
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:39:40 PM EDT
[#15]
This video gives some idea of what they were trying to mitigate:
Also, notice that the seats have full crash harnesses, not just lap belts. 
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:45:00 PM EDT
[#16]
The switches show war plan "A" and "B". I wonder what that's all about. Kind of scary that there's no "Plan C"
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:46:06 PM EDT
[#17]
what am I? chopped liver?
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:48:46 PM EDT
[#18]
Thanks Johnny. Love readin these!
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:49:20 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
1. On more than one several occasions.
2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? 1. On more than one several occasions.
2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. It's so we don't bounce around and damage the equipment.
Seriously, the belts serve two purposes---keeps the organic part of the weapon system from getting damaged from bouncing around, and keeps us centered on the console so we can do our thing regardless of how the capsule is rocking and rolling. The chair rails allow you to slide away from the console to work on other racks of equipment as necessary, without getting out of the chair. And those capsules are actually REALLY sturdy. The videos, unfortunately, are not for the internet. 
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:52:30 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The switches show war plan "A" and "B". I wonder what that's all about. Kind of scary that there's no "Plan C" Old Minuteman II targeting system. MMII had only two target sets stored; selecting War Plan A told all 50 missiles in the squadron to go to the first target, War Plan B aligned to the second. No longer used, but since missileers are pretty OCD, it usually stays on A so the switches look nice and aligned. Except for the inhibit switch, which you have to stare at misaligned ALL DAMN DAY.
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:53:07 PM EDT
[#21]
Damn, haven't seen that avatar for quite a while.
You been missing in action? |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:54:55 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Damn, haven't seen that avatar for quite a while. You been missing in action? Nah, just haven't had anything important to say. (Not like that's any different than any other day. )
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Posted: 8/22/2013 4:58:05 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
what am I? chopped liver Salmon? Yes. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:01:29 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
what am I? chopped liver Salmon? Yes.
its a steelhead, not a salmon 
by the way, cool series of threads |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:09:53 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? Looks like they're there to slide back and forth down the control panels. Probably a little more stable than an office chair with wheels, if you're under attack. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:11:11 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted: Tonight's featured avatar belongs to the member, Limaxray - a long term member of the site since 2002! http://www.ar15.com/media/images/xAvatar/30315.PNG This avatar is that of one of several very important items found in a USAF Launch Control Center. The item featured is a key turn switch used for launching nuclear-tipped ICBMs. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/Arfcom/1keyturn-660x438_zps43e5348d.jpg Shown here is how the interior of one of these Launch Control Centers appeared: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/Arfcom/1lcc_zpsd037acb9.jpg Of course, when you have the potential of unleash weapons like this, it's important to maintain a sense of humor regarding the situation. For instance, as shown on the back of this blast door: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/Arfcom/1blastdoor_zpsb6382405.jpg Or as shown on this crew patch: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/Arfcom/1patch_bunny_slippers_zpsc929e0cd.jpg An explanation of the patch - the missileers go on alert for a 24 hour period down in the LCC, the launch control center. As explained to me by a missileer, after they complete turnover with the outgoing crew, they get the multi-ton blast door closed and then the uniforms come off and the comfortable clothing goes on. This missileer went on to tell me that if he ever had to launch missiles, he was going to be wearing sweat pants. (If you haven't figured it out yet - Limaxray is a missileer.) (not the one I just mentioned though )....and now you know. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Previously featured avatars: Maccrage Substandard 4v50 Vengarr Wwace Amos1909 BillythePoet Bradders StonerStudent Skebe Viator |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:12:57 PM EDT
[#27]
Drive by this every morning:
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:13:19 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nah, just haven't had anything important to say. (Not like that's any different than any other day. )Man, you got to disable that "is this important enough to waste everyone's time with?" filter, or you're never gonna get to post 20,000! |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:13:41 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This video gives some idea of what they were trying to mitigate:  http://youtu.be/Dew6htIWgzUAlso, notice that the seats have full crash harnesses, not just lap belts. Love the soundtrack. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:14:41 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is one busy patch From what I understand, nuclear war is kind of frenetic. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:14:55 PM EDT
[#31]
Another cool one
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:16:21 PM EDT
[#32]
Cool
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:18:26 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice, I think you should move on to hourly featured avatars. +1 Very informative piece |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:18:56 PM EDT
[#34]
Quoted:
This missileer went on to tell me that if he ever had to launch missiles, he was going to be wearing sweat pants. So...there I was....on my very first alert. My commander told me to bring comfortable clothes, like sweat pants, etc. We finish changeover, commander goes around the corner to change. I'm busy making phone calls, etc., so I'm not paying attention. He's puttering around near the "kitchen" (basically a fridge and microwave), so my first view of what a missileer looks like in his natural habitat is a 26yo guy, mostly bald, wearing green hospital scrubs, a pair of slippers shaped like bear paws, and carrying a huge coffee cup. I usually wore a pair of high-top sneakers, sweat pants, a t-shirt, and I had a nasty old flight jacket I would use to keep warm. (The air conditioning is designed to keep about 24 racks of electronics cooled to 54 degrees; my comfort was secondary.) |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:19:46 PM EDT
[#35]
Limaxray has one of the best avatars on the site.
JR, do you pm people to let them know they're featured? |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:22:32 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Limaxray has one of the best avatars on the site.
JR, do you pm people to let them know they're featured? I let them know via an IM right after I post the thread. Some of them are offline when I post and they see it the next time they log on. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:35:09 PM EDT
[#37]
I've always been a fan of the patch
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:35:17 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
a pair of slippers shaped like bear paws, LOL. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:36:07 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Drive by this every morning: <a href="http://s268.photobucket.com/user/DigDug111/media/null_zps5ac71dd2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj27/DigDug111/null_zps5ac71dd2.jpg</a> So....the idiot savant missile geek in me notes your state of ND, but the missile says 44th MW, which was stationed at Ellsworth AFB. You in Rapid City? |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:36:27 PM EDT
[#40]
Cool threads J_R!
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:40:03 PM EDT
[#41]
When are you going start doing bronie avatars
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:42:04 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I've always been a fan of the patch Death wears bunny slippers  |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:45:41 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When are you going start doing bronie avatars After I do every other one. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:49:58 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When are you going start doing bronie avatars You could probably do every single one of them in about ten minutes. "This is X. She is from Y, and here is the picture this avatar was cut out of. NEXT." |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:53:40 PM EDT
[#45]
His sig line is epic
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:54:26 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It's so we don't bounce around and damage the equipment. Seriously, the belts serve two purposes---keeps the organic part of the weapon system from getting damaged from bouncing around, and keeps us centered on the console so we can do our thing regardless of how the capsule is rocking and rolling. The chair rails allow you to slide away from the console to work on other racks of equipment as necessary, without getting out of the chair. And those capsules are actually REALLY sturdy. The videos, unfortunately, are not for the internet. Thanks for the answer.  |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 5:55:15 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The switches show war plan "A" and "B". I wonder what that's all about. Kind of scary that there's no "Plan C" In the Army we usually spend hours of effort developing 3 courses of action (COAs) so some commander who thinks he's the second coming of Guderian can abuse his staff with a lack of sleep and ultimately choose his pre-decided COA 4. Warplan A and B seems like a refreshing nod to optempo over tedious and fruitless staff masturbation |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 6:02:22 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So....the idiot savant missile geek in me notes your state of ND, but the missile says 44th MW, which was stationed at Ellsworth AFB. You in Rapid City? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Drive by this every morning: <a href="http://s268.photobucket.com/user/DigDug111/media/null_zps5ac71dd2.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj27/DigDug111/null_zps5ac71dd2.jpg</a> So....the idiot savant missile geek in me notes your state of ND, but the missile says 44th MW, which was stationed at Ellsworth AFB. You in Rapid City? Yup, you are correct. I am in ND. The Minuteman III missiles here are still in use. Or at least 120+ of them are. The local air museum must have gotten some from SD when they were retired. |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 6:08:10 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1. On more than one several occasions. 2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I have three questions... 1. How many times have you failed to ID the avatar and skipped it? 2. Can someone tell me why the chairs in the launch room are mounted on rails? 1. On more than one several occasions. 2. Limaxray could probably fill you in on that better than I. Ask him why there are seat belts on the chairs too. (If the blast is enough to throw him out of the chair, I can't imagine any of that other stuff will still be working.) 3. Math is hard. I'm curious now, which ones were uncrackable? |
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Posted: 8/22/2013 6:08:44 PM EDT
[#50]
Where is the line for a new avatar ?
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