1980 Damascus Titan missile explosion facts for kids
The Damascus Titan missile explosion was a serious accident that happened in 1980. It involved a Titan II missile, which was a very large, long-range missile called an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile). This type of missile was designed to travel across continents.
The accident took place on September 18–19, 1980, in a rural area of Arkansas. A U.S. Air Force Titan II missile, which had a powerful W-53 nuclear warhead, exploded inside its underground storage silo. The silo was part of Missile Complex 374-7, located near Damascus, Arkansas, about 50 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas.
What Happened at the Missile Silo?
The problem started with a fuel leak. This happened at 6:30 p.m. on September 18. The leak led to a big explosion around 3:00 a.m. the next day, September 19.
The missile silo was managed by the Strategic Air Command. It was one of eighteen silos controlled by the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. Specifically, it was one of nine silos belonging to the 374th Strategic Missile Squadron. These units were based at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Images for kids
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Strategic Missile (SM) sites of 373rd & 374th Strategic Missile Squadrons, reporting to the 308th Strategic Missile Wing.
