Speaker Series: The Cold War Museum 1-4pm
Def Con 2: What It Looked Like on the Inside of the Highest Military Alert Status the U.S. Has Ever Faced
In October 1962, the United States faced the Soviet Union in a nuclear crisis that became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the Soviets placed medium-range ballistic missiles in Cuba. The confrontation resulted in our military attaining the highest level of alert, Defcon 2, in our history. Those of us in the intercontinental ballistic missile force sat ready to respond at a moment's notice, on the edge of nuclear war. This presentation was originally given to the participants in the 2012 Air Force Global Strike Challenge, the annual Bomber and Missile Competition. The briefing was presented to over 800 young missile and bomber crew members, maintainers and security forces, and covered the events leading to the crisis, the US response and the resolution.
Colonel (Retired) Charles G. Simpson served 30 years as an Air Force officer, mostly in Air Force missile systems. He graduated from the University of Miami (FL) in 1959 and worked for a short time as a designer at Pratt Whitney Aircraft before entering active duty as an aircraft maintenance officer at L. G. Hanscom Field, MA in 1959. In 1961, he began missile training in Titan I and served three years as a missile maintenance officer at Mountain Home AFB, ID, then spent five years as a missile launch officer in Minuteman II at Grand Forks AFB, ND. During that stay, he was part of a 12-man team that won the Blanchard Trophy as the Best Missile Wing in the Strategic Air Command at the annual Missile Combat Competition. He spent three years as a Minuteman command evaluator, traveling to all the Minuteman wings twice per year, then four years at Headquarters, SAC, assessing missile accuracy and reliability. After Air War College, he was commander of the 68th Strategic Missile Squadron, Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations in the 44th Strategic Missile Wing, and Base Commander at Ellsworth AFB, SD. He was then the base commander at Comiso AB, Sicily (a new Ground Launch Cruise Missile base where he oversaw opening of the base and the missile wing); Incirlik AB, Turkey; and Zaragoza AB, Spain. His final assignment was as Chief of Staff, 57th Air Division, Minot AFB, ND.
This is the twenty-first in a series of presentations sponsored by the Museum featuring expert eyewitnesses to, and other authorities on, significant Cold War and related events and activities. Presentations occur at the brewery or at the Vint Hill Craft Winery, followed by special access to the Museum (next door) with a tour for event participants.
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2019
(NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS PRESENTATION BUT CANNOT ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ARE AT A DISTANCE, HAVE A CONFLICT, ETC., THEY MAY BUY A TICKET VIA EVENTBRITE LIKE ATTENDEES AND THEN ACCESS THE EVENT VIDEO ONLINE AFTER THE EVENT VIA A LINK THAT CWM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JASON HALL WILL SEND THEM. TO ARRANGE, EMAIL JASON AT JASON@COLDWAR.ORG.)
Time: 1:00 PM. (Arrival at the brewery: 12:30-1:00 PM)
Cost: $35, including the presentation; a $7 coupon toward a craft beer draft, Kombucha or other drink; a $20 contribution to the Cold War Museum; and special access to the Museum (next door) for event participants following the presentation. TICKETS AT THE DOOR, IF AVAILABLE, WILL BE $45.
Agenda:
12:30-1:00. Participants arrive; they may get their beer or other drink at this time.
1:00-1:10. Jason Hall, Executive Director of the Cold War Museum, introduces the Museum, and Col. Simpson.
1:10-2:15. Col. Simpson presents on what it was like to be part of DefCon 2—for real.
2:15-3:00. Q&A opportunity for the audience.
3:00-3:15 Audience members may claim their beer or other drink at this time or buy additional drinks.
3:15-4:15 The Museum (next door) will be open for event participants, with staff providing a tour for those interested.
. Questions? Call or email Jason Hall, 703-283-4124 (cell), jason@coldwar.org
