Veteran shares Cuban Missile Crisis story at Warren

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christen Downing
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Retired Col. Charlie G. Simpson, Association of Air Force Missileers director, visited Warren Oct. 24 to share his story as a missile maintenance officer in the Cuban Missile Crisis and commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Guests gathered in the F. E. Warren Base Theater to view a video documenting Simpson's Cuban Missile Crisis experience.

Simpson began his military career as an engineer and transferred to ICBMs in 1962 in order to further his career, he said.

At this time, President John F. Kennedy protested the U.S.S.R.'s nuclear missile presence in Cuba, leading one of the Cold War's major confrontations, the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is considered the time when the Cold War came the closest to a nuclear war.

After the 10-minute video, Simpson and the audience had an open question-and-answer session.

Simpson recalled the crisis where the work hours were longer than ever, bomber crews were doubled up, and Airmen were on alert almost every other day.

"This wasn't five days a week," Simpson said. "It was seven, and everybody in uniform was working."

An audience member asked how the Airmen's morale was during the crisis. Simpson described it as a combination of feeling scared and nervous. However, he said, the Airmen involved did not allow their fear to get in the way of performing their duties.

"We were working so hard, you didn't have time to worry," Simpson explained. "You just thought, 'hey, this is our job,' and you did it."

Other Association of Air Force Missileers members were also present to help answer questions and share their experiences.

Frank Waters, one of the former missileers also in attendance, added to Simpson's answer to the audience member's morale question.
"We were nervous not only for us but also for our families," Waters said. "My wife knew every time I left the house, I may not come home."

Col. Christopher Coffelt, 90th Missile Wing commander, said this event as a learning experience for the base and was intrigued at the inside snapshot of a missile wing's workings years ago.

"With this year being the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was an honor to have these living historians here with us tonight so that our wing can gain more exposure and insight into the mission that we still carry out to this day," Coffelt said.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Garrou, 90th Missile Wing command chief, said the most interesting aspect about this event was hearing the veteran missileers talk about what was going on and translating to our Airmen today.

"We are able to learn more about the history of our business," Garrou added.

Simpson said he enjoys sharing Cuban Missile Crisis history by visiting each wing to stay current and connected with the operational units. This event marks his fourth visit to F. E. Warren this year.

2nd Lt. Lucas Rider, 320th Missile Squadron missileer, coordinated this event with the Company Grade Officers Council to share Simpson's history and recognize the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

"Cheyenne is always saying Cheyenne Frontier Days is the 'Daddy of 'em all,'" Rider said. "Well, the 'Daddy of 'em all' for missiles is the Cuban Missile Crisis, and this event allowed those who walked the walk to share their stories."