FReeper Canteen ~ Road Trip: Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico ~ 27 DEC 2011

~The FReeper Canteen Presents~

Road Trip: Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is in southeast Albuquerque, nestled between the Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges. It is home to the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and its subordinate wings, the 498th Armament Systems Wing and the 377th Air Base Wing.

It is also home to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Albuquerque office, the Air Force Safety Center, the Air Force Inspection Agency, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, the 58th Special Operations Wing, Space Development and Test Wing, the New Mexico Air National Guard 150th Fighter Wing, the Directed Energy and Space Vehicle Directorates of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Department of Energy Albuquerque Office, the National Nuclear Security Administration and Sandia National Laboratories.

In 1992, the Kirtland Underground Munitions Storage Complex (KUMSC) was activated at Kirtland AFB. KUMSC is the largest storage facility for nuclear weapons in the world. The facility provides storage, shipping and maintenance for the United States Air Force and Navy. It is operated by the 898th Munitions Squadron (898 MUNS) and the 377th Security Forces Squadron (377 SFS).

The facility is state of the art, with more than 300,000 square feet located entirely underground. Total number of deliverable nuclear warheads stored there is over 3,000. The majority of the munitions include the B83 and B61 gravity bombs, and W80, W87, and W88 warheads for the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), Minuteman III and Peacekeeper ICBM's.

Detachment 3 of The Air Force Operational Test And Evaluation Center at Kirtland Air Force Base provides warfighters and decision makers timely, relevant, accurate information by evaluating the operational performance and capabilities of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) weapons systems in the battlespace environment.

The Space Development and Test Wing develops, tests and evaluates Air Force space systems, executes advanced space development and demonstration projects, and rapidly transitions capabilities to the warfighter.

The Spacecraft Development Squadron provides spaceflight for DOD Space Test Program payloads, develops, integrates, tests and launches experimental technologies and prototypical space systems. The Responsive Satellite Command and Control Division develops, integrates, tests, fields and maintains telemetry, tracking and control systems, data processing and distribution systems and operations support equipment for experimental and prototypical spacecraft and other unique spacecraft.

Learn More About Kirtland Air Force Base HERE!

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is the nation’s only congressionally chartered museum in its field and an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

Originally known as the National Atomic Museum, it was established in 1969 on Kirtland Air Force Base before moving to Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Visit The National Museum Of Nuclear Science And History HERE!

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun!

We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity.

We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon.

We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way.

God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always

Hiya, Luv...how’s your snow? Your picture was beautiful! ((HUGS))

21 posted on 12/26/2011 7:36:44 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: ConorMacNessa

God Bless you good, Mac. Good night and rest well. Thanks for helping honor our troops, past and present. Thank you for your service to our country.

22 posted on 12/26/2011 7:45:53 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

Good evening to you, wjc...thanks for sharing. It looks really interesting...wide variety of projects.

23 posted on 12/26/2011 7:50:00 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good evening, Kathy! (((hugs)))

The snow is just about history! It got up to 48 or so today
and it’s just about melted. It was nice while it lasted and
did make for a magical Christmas for us.

Glad you enjoyed the picture. Sticking my head out the front
door to take it was as close to going out in it as it came. LOL!

24 posted on 12/26/2011 7:52:32 PM PST by luvie (This tagline reserved for a hero.......)

To: ConorMacNessa

Good night, Conor! (((hugs)))

See ya in the morning! Hope your day was productive and not
too frantic!

25 posted on 12/26/2011 7:55:33 PM PST by luvie (This tagline reserved for a hero.......)

To: Tijeras_Slim

Good evening, Tijeras_Slim...thanks for the updated information.

It sounds like a really nice museum with really cool stuff.

26 posted on 12/26/2011 8:00:07 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

Good evening, Mooch....

We had a nice, quiet holiday, and snow!
No high winds, and the temps have stayed below freezing for at least 5 days.

27 posted on 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

28 posted on 12/26/2011 8:18:51 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

29 posted on 12/26/2011 8:21:13 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: ConorMacNessa

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

30 posted on 12/26/2011 8:23:04 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: txradioguy; tongue-tied; SoldierDad; mike1sg; Milo828; mystery-ak; CMS; The Sailor; Jet Jaguar; ...

Honoring Our Heroes

1LT Carol USA, Nurse Corp (Vineyard)
2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl)
AbnSarge USA
Adam USAF (Grumpybutt)
Allegra
Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick)
aviator USAF
BIGLOOK USN
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Bryan USA (Diver Dave)
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
COL Mike (gpapa)
CMS USA
ConorMacNessa USN USMC
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Diver Dave USN
Drumbo USN
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
HiJinx USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
James USA (Grumpybutt)
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
KJD USAF (SuzyQue)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
LCpl Joe USMC (Don’tMessWithTexas)
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
LTjg Gerald USN (Vineyard)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave)
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
MSgt Eddie USAF ( Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret)
MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Philetus USA
PROCON USA
Pvt Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
Rick USAF (Doogle)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
SandRat USA
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue)
SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62)
SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer)
SPC4 Adam USA (nephew of Repeal The 17th)
SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
SSG Brian USA (repubmom)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
SSGT The Black Knight USAF
Stevan USA (Grumpybutt)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
TMSuchman USMC
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom)
SFC txradioguy USA
USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman)
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
Vineyard USN
William USA (jackv)
WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)

31 posted on 12/26/2011 8:41:31 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: LUV W; oldteen; MoochPooch

Standing at the foot of my driveway.

Last week the mailbox had nothing on it for about the 4th time in 2 weeks.

Earlier this month...standing on the front porch.

32 posted on 12/26/2011 8:58:03 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Ooooo....much prettier than MINE!! I’m glad you finally got
snow, too. I know it’s not Alaska without it! :)

Does Mr/Ms moose live around there or just passing through?

33 posted on 12/26/2011 9:13:39 PM PST by luvie (This tagline reserved for a hero.......)

To: Kathy in Alaska; Tijeras_Slim

Y’all enjoy my hometown!

34 posted on 12/26/2011 9:15:23 PM PST by CPT Clay (Pick up your weapon and follow me.)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Way cool photos. Thanks for sharing them with us. We're expecting 1-3 inches of snow overnight. It's okay, got nowhere to go and cookies to bake.

Came across this article tonight. It appears Australia is looking overseas for troops:

Australian Defence hunting troops overseas

Australian Defence looks offshore to recruit troops Britian, United States and western countries targeted Hundreds needed to rebuild lost local expertise

35 posted on 12/26/2011 9:53:48 PM PST by MamaDearest

A couple streets to the west is college property, mostly woods. My guess is they live there.

36 posted on 12/26/2011 10:20:51 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

Good evening, CPT Clay. Have you been on that base?

37 posted on 12/26/2011 10:32:25 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Evenin' Kathy! *hugs*

That's some purty snow you got there! ;)

38 posted on 12/26/2011 10:48:28 PM PST by oldteen

Merry Christmas, MamaDearest....interesting article.

Step One....why are they losing the expertise? Recruiting can be worthless if the same conditions that cause the loss continue.

Happy baking!!

39 posted on 12/26/2011 11:35:31 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

Good evening, teen...*HUGS*

It IS beautiful outside. d:o)

40 posted on 12/26/2011 11:47:16 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))

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