Deep Underground Support Center facts for kids

The Deep Underground Support Center (DUSC) was a secret project proposed in 1962. It was planned by the Strategic Air Command (SAC), which was a part of the United States Air Force. SAC was in charge of America's nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

The DUSC was meant to be a very strong underground bunker. Its main goal was to protect important military leaders and their teams. They needed a safe place to command nuclear forces, even if a powerful nuclear bomb exploded nearby.

What Was the DUSC Project?

The Deep Underground Support Center, or DUSC, was designed to be a super-tough command center. It was planned to survive a huge nuclear attack. Imagine a bomb 100 times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima. The DUSC was meant to withstand that!

Why Was DUSC Needed?

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union had many nuclear weapons. Both sides worried about a surprise attack. The Strategic Air Command needed a place where leaders could keep working. They had to be able to assess damage, plan new actions, and make big decisions. This was crucial for national security.

Where Was DUSC Going to Be?

The best spot for DUSC was found near Cripple Creek, Colorado. This location was chosen because it was already a mining area. It was also west of another important military site, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. That complex, a famous nuclear bunker, started being built in 1961.

How Deep and Big Was It?

The DUSC was planned to be incredibly deep underground. It would have been about 3,500 feet down. That's more than half a mile! Inside, it was designed to hold about 200 people. These people would be able to live and work there for up to 30 days. They would handle huge amounts of information. This included figuring out what happened after an attack. They would also help decide what to do next.

What Happened to the DUSC Plan?

Building such a massive underground center was very expensive. The estimated cost for the DUSC project grew to $200 million. That was a huge amount of money back then! Also, the time it would take to build it kept getting longer. It was first hoped to be ready by 1965. But then, the completion date slipped to 1969.

Because of the high cost and long delays, SAC changed its mind in 1963. They decided to go with a different idea instead. This new plan was called the "long-endurance, all airborne concept." It meant that important command operations would be done from planes flying in the air. These planes could stay airborne for a long time. This idea was known as Operation Looking Glass.

Both the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) agreed with SAC's decision. So, the Deep Underground Support Center project was officially cancelled.