US Air Force Secrets: What They’re Hiding on Election Night!

As the polls close on Election Day, a significant yet lesser-known event is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. PDT on November 5th. While the nation focuses on the results and who will be the next president, the U.S. Air Force plans to conduct a test launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This missile, topped with a non-active hydrogen bomb, will traverse the Pacific Ocean and, 22 minutes later, reach the Marshall Islands. Such tests are routine, occurring several times annually, typically under the cover of darkness while most Americans are asleep.

The history associated with these tests is chilling. From 1946 to 1958, the U.S. exploded 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands, devastating the environment and inflicting severe health issues on the Marshallese population. The repercussions extend to the U.S. mainland. The indigenous Chumash people were displaced from their sacred lands by the establishment of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Additionally, across America’s heartland, about 400 ICBMs with nuclear warheads are housed in underground silos, ready to be launched instantly. These missiles, named “Minutemen III” after the quick-firing Revolutionary War soldiers, pose a risk of catastrophic accidents and global peril.

The role of ICBMs in national defense is outdated and dangerous. Originally developed by Nazi Germany, these weapons increase the likelihood of nuclear mishaps or conflicts. A single missile launch could provoke a nuclear war, destroying cities, contaminating the environment, and causing irreversible damage to our planet’s ecosystems. Once launched, an ICBM cannot be stopped. The ICBM program is not just a safety hazard but also a financial drain, demanding urgent decommissioning.

The existence of nuclear weapons poses a constant threat of annihilation, whether intentional or accidental. They compromise global security and strip away any sense of safety.

The U.S. is poised to spend more than $1.2 trillion on nuclear modernization over the next three decades. This includes developing larger nuclear bombs and new, more advanced ICBMs named Sentinels, all of which will require testing. This colossal investment diverts essential resources from vital societal needs such as healthcare, education, and addressing climate change, directly affecting our lives and those of future generations.

I teach creative writing to 4th and 5th graders. The boundless creativity of children is something I cherish, yet a recent class assignment revealed their deep concerns about the planet. These reflections should serve as a sobering reminder of the reality we are crafting for our youth.

“Such a shame, a perfectly good planet, trashed,” lamented Claire, age 9.

“Imagine a world without nature: no trees, no butterflies, no birds, no bunnies—and no people. A world where all our achievements, our technology, schools, history, and entertainment, all vanish. What would be left of a beautiful world that essentially becomes barren? I would absolutely hate it,” expressed Brynn, age 9.

Beyond the destruction caused by industrial global warming and warfare, which children are increasingly aware of, lies a threat they do not fully understand—nuclear winter, a rapid and severe global climatic cooling effect that can obliterate nature and civilization in moments. This is a reality many adults fail to grasp as well.

While some argue nuclear weapons serve as deterrents, true peace and security come from diplomacy and international cooperation. Nuclear arms, including ICBMs, only enhance the risks of devastation and undermine our collective security.

As global tensions appear to be pushing us toward nuclear brinkmanship, let us focus this election night on a crucial issue: the dismantling of the ICBM program. By leading this charge, the U.S. could set a global precedent, encouraging other nations to reduce nuclear threats for the betterment of our health, environment, and the safety of future generations.

We, the people, endowed with the right of self-determination, must confront the stark realities of our national security and consider what it truly means to protect our homeland. Do we have the fortitude to change our nation for the better and secure our future? Yes, we do, and the time for action is now.

“Only we, the public, can compel our representatives to reclaim the war powers that the Constitution exclusively reserves for Congress,” stated Daniel Ellsberg, U.S. military analyst, economist, and author of “The Doomsday Machine.”

Let us end this perilous weapons program once and for all and provide our children the safety they rightfully deserve.

Tell Congress: Cancel Sentinel Missile Program—More Than 700 Scientists Agree: https://secure.ucsusa.org/a/2024-cancel-sentinel-letter

Discover more about the risks of ICBMs and how you can get involved. https://defusenuclearwar.org/eliminate-icbms/