Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Safe Ramp Tower

— Grissom Air Museum —

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

1. Safe Ramp Tower Marker

Inscription. Bombers and their support aircraft were on alert at Strategic Air Command bases around the clock throughout the Cold War. The aircrews and supporting maintenance personnel lived within running distance of their fully armed and "cocked" aircraft in a mostly underground dormitory. They were there for only one reason, that their constant state of readiness and ability to conduct a devastating retaliatory strike on our enemies would deter any idea of a nuclear attack on the United States.

But if the horrific happened, a "klaxon" would warn that SAC Headquarters had detected a Soviet missile launch or bomber force directed at the United States and send the crews sprinting for the aircraft. The entire bomber force had to be in the air and proceeding to their predesignated targets within 15 minutes or risk being destroyed where they were most vulnerable, on the ground.

Combat Defense Squadrons and later security police (security forces) were responsible for the defense and protection of all mission essential weapons and combat support systems as well as the aircrew and maintenance personnel who literally lived with the aircraft

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inside the heavily guarded alert area. No one, regardless of rank or standing, was permitted inside the area without a "secret" security clearance and a specific reason to be there. This observation tower was erected in 1973 inside the alert area about a half mile south of this location and manned by security policemen who monitored a panel of seismic and magnetic alarms, a system designated (FDS) fence detection sensors and "MAID MILES", (Magnetic Anti Intrusion Device - Magnetic In-Line Electronic Sensors) in the fence and the ground surrounding the area perimeter. The tower's radio call sign was "Safe Ramp". Any suspected intrusion brought a fast response from a two to three man, heavily armed Alarm Response Team (ART) inside the fence or a similarly equipped Security Alert Team (SAT) outside the fence. The use of deadly force was authorized in the event that security protocols were broken.

Safe Ramp tower remained manned 24 hours a day until the Soviet Union collapsed and the risk of a nuclear attack against the United States diminished. In September 1991 SAC's alert forces were ordered to stand down and as Grissom's alert aircraft

Safe Ramp Tower and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

2. Safe Ramp Tower and Marker

were towed across the runway, the crews went home and Safe Ramp signed off the air.

Erected by Grissom Air Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.

Location. 40° 40.121′ N, 86° 7.766′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 W Hoosier Blvd, Peru IN 46970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Douglas TA-4J (a few steps from this marker); Bell Aircraft Corporation UH-1H-BF

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(a few steps from this marker); Grumman F-14B (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Boeing EC-135L (a few steps from this marker); EC-135L (a few steps from this marker); The Convair B-58 "Texas Hustler" Rocket Sled (a few steps from this marker); Cessna O-2A (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.