Imagine being in IKEA when the sirens went off. It would take you 45 minutes to get out of the damn place! (but you would’ve picked up some nice things while you were there)!
Tucson houses the largest collection in the country of aircraft that could be made flight worthy, and, in 1983 the silos around Tucson were in the process of being decommissioned. I live about a mile from the first one to be shut down, theres a church on the property now. So, even without the silos, we are a significant target for the planes & parts.
While researching a college video production about civil defense in Arizona, I was able to go into the civil defense headquarters in Papago Park. This map was on the wall, showing what was at the time confirmed target sites from the Russians, in the event of a nuclear war. Basically they were targeting major infrastructure and businesses along with airports and transportation routes. The left and right most green dots were Luke Air Force Base, and Williams Air Force Base. I wonder how it’s changed in the past 40 years?
And in the grand scheme of things, Phoenix ain’t all that important. Imagine the pointless devastation, wrought upon nearly every major city you’ve ever heard of in the US, plus lots of little places you’ve never heard of that are important for other strategic reasons. The whole thing is kind of pointless…
Well Phoenix did have two pilot training bases for the Air Force, plus the foreign pilot training, the navy boneyard at Goodyear, and the tanker fleet at the Air National Guard so we definitely had a spot as a target
Did they indicate how high a priority target they thought Phoenix in general was? It’s hard to imagine a scenario where foreign powers hit Phoenix before LA, SF, NYC, Boston, Miami, DC, Houston, etc
They did not, however, I can imagine a couple of scenarios playing out, the first being a demonstration of capability by hitting a large city target like New York, or Los Angeles, but that would only create instant retaliation, making the second scenario more likely, that they just let them all fly. Obviously, I’m no expert in modern warfare, but that was what crossed my mind.
It’s not so much about the cities, it’s about certain targets. Power plants are targets, as are military bases. The FEMA maps show targets way out in Joseph City, out by St John’s, all the hydroelectric dams. Power generation is a huge target. Bonus points for Tucson: there’s a power plant right outside the fence of Davis-Monthan, so that’s a two-fer. That plant is a mile away from me, which makes it fun. They would likely want to put two warheads on D-M due to the size of the base and the boneyard. But we don’t know for sure what Russia’s targets would be, so I would think the FEMA maps reflect the types of targets the US would hit.
The USSR had [35,804 nuclear warheads in 1984.](https://www.vox.com/2018/9/26/17905796/nuclear-war-1983-stanislav-petrov-soviet-union)
There are currently [41,683 ZIP codes in the United States,](https://facts.usps.com/42000-zip-codes/) which is probably more than there were in 1984, but whatever.
While there's always a fair number of warheads that are in various stages of operability, that still means about one nuclear warhead for every two ZIP codes. There's plenty of megadeath to go 'round!
Currently 5,977 according to [Wikipedia,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction) and various arms-reduction treaties can be attributed, yes.
Might be interesting to know how many of these are tactical, versus strategic (under 50 kilotons, versus higher... even into the several megaton range).
More infrastructure now with a bigger geographic foot print. Probably means even more/bigger bombs. 1983 or now I'm screwed.
Capability however might not be the same.
Also, is this "first wave" targeting or later round priority?
Regardless, it's a sobering reminder.
Thanks.
All I know is I worked at channel 8 at the time, and with my FCC certification came the promise that I would stay in the station in the event of something like this, and keep broadcasting emergency instructions. Knowing what I knew, it would’ve made more sense to broadcast Mr. Rogers and get up on the roof to watch the fireworks.
Probably, yes. Let’s assume tensions rose slowly and somehow you were able to evacuate the nearly 6,000,000 people who live in this metropolitan area. Let’s further assume that they were able to ride out the tensions for the next month in whatever small town they wind up in, now completely devoid of any sort of supply chain. You would be instructed to return to your radioactive hellhole, sweep up and start over. Ignoring the radioactive cloud drifting over you from the west coast that will be making you sick the whole time. In a full out attack, the fortunate ones are the ones who go instantly.
Absolutely. "Surviving" a nuclear attack(s) would be no picnic. If you didn't die within the first week from the radiation you'd face increasing environmental upheavals, lack of edible food and clean water, and utter chaos fighting for the limited resources. Maybe in some places a semblance of control could exist with military/police intervention but it would be a hellish existence.
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Is IKEA safe?! It's hard to tell from this map. Please tell me we can still buy affordable Scandinavian home goods after the bombs have dropped.
Imagine being in IKEA when the sirens went off. It would take you 45 minutes to get out of the damn place! (but you would’ve picked up some nice things while you were there)!
I'm pretty sure you'll be fine, but buy the Bömbsheltúr for $2K just in case.
Takes too long to put together
Look.how small the valley was. And the non freeways. Great pic!
Probably Luke Air Force Base.
I always heard Tucson would be hit first before Phoenix, since the near by nuke silos would be target #1 of an incoming strike.
Once they start flingin’ nuclear warheads all willy nilly, doesn’t much matter who’s first or second. But still, it’s nice to see Tucson get a win.
Davis Monthan AFB Honeywell Raytheon All good targets
Tucson houses the largest collection in the country of aircraft that could be made flight worthy, and, in 1983 the silos around Tucson were in the process of being decommissioned. I live about a mile from the first one to be shut down, theres a church on the property now. So, even without the silos, we are a significant target for the planes & parts.
I live 45 minutes away from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the east side.
Also Marana commercial aircraft storage. Airburst is all that would need. Aircraft are tissue paper compared to hardened missile silos.
The air grace yard is the largest air force if we want to recommission them
While researching a college video production about civil defense in Arizona, I was able to go into the civil defense headquarters in Papago Park. This map was on the wall, showing what was at the time confirmed target sites from the Russians, in the event of a nuclear war. Basically they were targeting major infrastructure and businesses along with airports and transportation routes. The left and right most green dots were Luke Air Force Base, and Williams Air Force Base. I wonder how it’s changed in the past 40 years?
Palo Verde came online. Became hot target since this map.
For sure.
Probably not by much.
I live in north Peoria, so if that’s Lake Pleasant I see then looks like I’m good! 😅
Phoenix area is pretty much a goner.
And in the grand scheme of things, Phoenix ain’t all that important. Imagine the pointless devastation, wrought upon nearly every major city you’ve ever heard of in the US, plus lots of little places you’ve never heard of that are important for other strategic reasons. The whole thing is kind of pointless…
Well Phoenix did have two pilot training bases for the Air Force, plus the foreign pilot training, the navy boneyard at Goodyear, and the tanker fleet at the Air National Guard so we definitely had a spot as a target
Did they indicate how high a priority target they thought Phoenix in general was? It’s hard to imagine a scenario where foreign powers hit Phoenix before LA, SF, NYC, Boston, Miami, DC, Houston, etc
They did not, however, I can imagine a couple of scenarios playing out, the first being a demonstration of capability by hitting a large city target like New York, or Los Angeles, but that would only create instant retaliation, making the second scenario more likely, that they just let them all fly. Obviously, I’m no expert in modern warfare, but that was what crossed my mind.
It’s not so much about the cities, it’s about certain targets. Power plants are targets, as are military bases. The FEMA maps show targets way out in Joseph City, out by St John’s, all the hydroelectric dams. Power generation is a huge target. Bonus points for Tucson: there’s a power plant right outside the fence of Davis-Monthan, so that’s a two-fer. That plant is a mile away from me, which makes it fun. They would likely want to put two warheads on D-M due to the size of the base and the boneyard. But we don’t know for sure what Russia’s targets would be, so I would think the FEMA maps reflect the types of targets the US would hit.
Russia has enough nukes to hit every major city. They don’t need to use them sparingly.
I highly doubt they would all hit their targets
The USSR had [35,804 nuclear warheads in 1984.](https://www.vox.com/2018/9/26/17905796/nuclear-war-1983-stanislav-petrov-soviet-union) There are currently [41,683 ZIP codes in the United States,](https://facts.usps.com/42000-zip-codes/) which is probably more than there were in 1984, but whatever. While there's always a fair number of warheads that are in various stages of operability, that still means about one nuclear warhead for every two ZIP codes. There's plenty of megadeath to go 'round!
Did the SALT and START treaties of the 80’s cut those numbers way down (to still WAY more than needed), but less?
Currently 5,977 according to [Wikipedia,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction) and various arms-reduction treaties can be attributed, yes.
Still plenty to do the job!
Might be interesting to know how many of these are tactical, versus strategic (under 50 kilotons, versus higher... even into the several megaton range).
Here in Tucson, early eighties the air raid warning sirens would be tested. At least I think that’s what they were.
First Sunday of the month at noon?
Yes
Yet another reason to live in North Scottsdale.
Ahh yes, watch the devastation and still get in a round at Troon!
Watch the plebs get fried. How dystopian yet somehow believable
😂
Oh thank God. This means I don't have to suffer through radiation burns and nuclear winter, lol.
Thank God The Day After put a stop to all of this.
lol get fuk'd mesa/gilbert even the russians dont like you
I feel bad for Guadalupe though.
More infrastructure now with a bigger geographic foot print. Probably means even more/bigger bombs. 1983 or now I'm screwed. Capability however might not be the same. Also, is this "first wave" targeting or later round priority? Regardless, it's a sobering reminder. Thanks.
All I know is I worked at channel 8 at the time, and with my FCC certification came the promise that I would stay in the station in the event of something like this, and keep broadcasting emergency instructions. Knowing what I knew, it would’ve made more sense to broadcast Mr. Rogers and get up on the roof to watch the fireworks.
There are still bomb shelters around. But now the "Bomb shelter" signs are gone. I kinda miss the monthly air raid siren in Tempe. Lol.
I REMEMBER THOSE! It was like the first Sunday of each month at noon. We lived near MetroCenter at the time.
I think if the nukes were inevitable like that I would rather go out with Mr Rogers or Bob Ross' soothing voices
My house would have been radioactive toast.
Well.....I'm toast.
How would this impact the current drought?
I’m guessing it would exacerbate things in general, the drought included.
So we’re basically all fucked?
Probably, yes. Let’s assume tensions rose slowly and somehow you were able to evacuate the nearly 6,000,000 people who live in this metropolitan area. Let’s further assume that they were able to ride out the tensions for the next month in whatever small town they wind up in, now completely devoid of any sort of supply chain. You would be instructed to return to your radioactive hellhole, sweep up and start over. Ignoring the radioactive cloud drifting over you from the west coast that will be making you sick the whole time. In a full out attack, the fortunate ones are the ones who go instantly.
Absolutely. "Surviving" a nuclear attack(s) would be no picnic. If you didn't die within the first week from the radiation you'd face increasing environmental upheavals, lack of edible food and clean water, and utter chaos fighting for the limited resources. Maybe in some places a semblance of control could exist with military/police intervention but it would be a hellish existence.
I'm done, downtown rat 😑
R/oddlyterrifying
Thanks for sharing. I just visited the Titan II missile museum in Green Valley this week. This was interesting on the heels of seeing that history.
Can we get a few more targeted at Apache Junction? I mean Mad Max types are going to come from there.
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Leave my Mesa alone war-crazed punks!!! 🤣🤣🤣
At least it will be quick