Forrest Peden, killed in France in 1945, was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nations highest military award, for his valor during World War II. Before they could move in, they discovered the site was contaminated with various chemicals possibly rocket fuel, gasoline, industrial cleaning agents, and other compounds that had been dumped there three decades ago. These short-lived bases were operated by the Air Force in the early 1960s, and the structure, one of nine others around Topeka, was decommissioned in 1965 in favor of newer technology and more robust facilities. Originally appeared in Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine. Claudine Zap covers celebrity real estate, housing trends, and unique home stories. There were only 27 built. Prepper Fixer-Upper? Peden stripped to his [], The Mystery Vehicle at the Heart of Teslas New Master Plan, All the Settings You Should Change on Your New Samsung Phone, This Hacker Tool Can Pinpoint a DJI Drone Operator's Location, Amazons HQ2 Aimed to Show Tech Can Boost Cities. ", "It's remarkably phallic," he explains; "the missile raises up erect, then penetrates the atmosphere and spews radioactive waste to countries thousands of miles away." A 7,000 square foot missile silo under wide-open acreage in rural Abiline, Kansas is up for sale on Zillow. He has owned the place since 1983, but it took him 10 years to convince his wife to live there. Now, the Pedens are hoping to simplify and downsize, so they've enlisted friend and property manager Matthew Fulkerson to sell this unusual home. The power room of an Atlas E missile bay in Worley, Idaho, in March 1965. The Atlas Missile Program was an important but short-lived element of the United States defense system. The official public website of the Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nearly 6 months later, on January 24, 1961, the first Atlas missile arrived at Forbes. Decommissioned atlas f missile silo, kansas, usa: Source: money.com. Today, two years after they finally moved in, the home portion looks fairly conventional, though a few structural inconveniences remain. Based out of Forbes Field in Topeka from 1961 to 1964, the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron was composed of a "ring" of nine sites around Topeka that had silos for the Atlas series of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), the first ICBM used by the United States. The Forbes S-5 Site was one of nine (9) former Series E Atlas Missile Sites located around Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, Kansas. This property is a 1960 era Atlas E Missile Site that has been converted into a self-sufficient home. After all, it takes a special kind of person to turn a missile silo into a home and inn. Closed Monday. The Pedens do plan to build living space above ground eventually. Today the missile bay houses Peden's Winnebago, a tractor and various other vehicles, including an old MG Midget with a For Sale sign in the window. Its location two miles southwest of Kimball, Nebraska USA 69145 makes it remote, yet accessible. Operation of the Forbes S-5 Site was the responsibility of the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) assigned to the Former Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. Ad Choices, In 1982, schoolteacher Ed Peden drove out to investigate a decommissioned nuclear missile bunker that was up for sale near his hometown of Topeka, Kansas. This 1965 photograph taken in Worley, Idaho, shows an Atlas missile bay tunnel, lined with hardhats. This is equivalent to around $27 million in todays dollars. Most were shuttered after only a few years of war readiness. Once you head down the stairs and underground into the former silo, Theres no cell service. Without their dedication and sacrifice for the national defense of the United States of America, the freedoms we enjoy today would not be possible. He fixed the electricity, plugged leaks and worked on the plumbing. "We have one. But my father was thrilled. "We think we are the antithesis to the American military," he says. Kansas probably isn't where you'd first look if you're in the market for a castle, but you shouldn't miss this gem. Youre in your own little world.. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for. "We dont believe in holding on to things. The structure cost taxpayers $3,300,000 to construct (1960's dollars). [1] Nearly 6 months later, on 24 January 1961, the first Atlas missile arrived at Forbes. A Cold Warera missile silo base there on 32 acres, converted into an underground home, has come on the market for $1,599,475. Throughout the years, owners Edward Peden & Dianna Ricke-Peden have been featured on television shows such as Oprah Winfrey, National Geographic, the History Channel, the Home & Garden Network, ABC, CBS, FOX, and Business Insider. He thinks it's ironic that someone with his liberal political views lives in a structure built for such an ominous purpose. A 4,000 square foot Quonset building with water, electricity, and plumbing comes with the property. Theyve transformed it from a place of war and destruction to a place of community, family and love.. It's a tinkerer's paradise. 16 juin 2022 parasitism in the sonoran desert. By January 10, 1946, Consolidated-Vultee's engineers, under the leadership of Belgian-born Karel Bossart, submitted their proposals for two 6,000 . In order to launch, a 400-ton overhead door was rolled back after which the "bird" was raised to a vertical position. If you like overnight stays in unique places, you should definitely check out this bed and breakfast with a wild surprise. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday); noon to 5 on Sunday. Some areas were filled with as much as 8 feet of water, but the bunkers eventual owner did his due diligence before purchasing. burleson county sheriff non emergency number Cost: Suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for children. Realty specialist John Robinson of the GSA's Ft. Worth, Texas, office says he gets hundreds of calls every year from prospective missile base purchasers (though the GSA no longer has any Atlas sites for sale, it does have sites once occupied by second-generation missiles). For more information about Subterra Castle and tours, check out their website here. Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. The Pedens' is one of 21 that went up in Kansas, which was happy to get the accompanying infusion of money. She thought her son-in-law was taking her daughter to a depraved, rough and crude place. Join us as we tour Peden's missile-base home and take a look back at the time that spawned these supersized structures. "I can't go out and put in my kid's playground because they are out there taking core samples," Dave Sigler says. An Administrative Record is required for all Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) projects at which removal actions are performed or at which a Remedial Investigation is performed. Atlas F Missile Silo For Sale. they ask. "Not many houses have tunnels," said Peden. In the cavernous bay that once housed a nuclear missile, Ed Peden now stores his lawnmower and other toys. Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. He explored the underground space with a canoe and flashlight, even diving in, before deciding to take on the massive subterranean project. The owners have preserved the control room, signage, and other artifacts from the structures former life as a military outpost. In 1959, the U.S Air Force started construction on the nine Forbes Atlas E missile facilities. This place is just as amazing as it sounds. Environmental contamination at the Forbes S-5 Site resulted from waste management practices during the facilitys operational period. We have some explosive news from Eskridge, KS. Peden's missile base is an early design. Today the place has several bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen, home offices and modern bathrooms. President, he intones with a serious face. Each Air Force base was assigned a Strategic Missile Squadron which supported the missile complexes that had been constructed near that particular base. This one was in Worley, Idaho. After an hour below the surface in Peden's castle one can appreciate seeing the light of day and relaxing in his above-ground hot tub. The ones deployed around Topeka, Kansas, were under the control of the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron, based at Forbes Air Force Base, which operated 9 missile sites in the area until they were decommissioned in 1965. A contemporary photograph shows the missile bay as an Atlas is backed in through the garage door. Their 47-ton garage door was designed to withstand a doomsday blast. By far the couples favorite place in the home is the old diesel generator room, a huge space theyve converted into a drum circle room. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Paradise Media. He found 34 acres of grass in need of mowing and, deep below ground, an 18,000-square-foot warren of concrete tunnels, most of it flooded with rainwater. ", The Atlases were decommissioned only four years later when they were replaced by Titan IIs and Minutemen. T HIS S ITE SITS ON APPROXIMATELY 8.26 ACRES. The Forbes sites were completed 3 weeks ahead of schedule. The door was designed to withstand the blast from a nuclear explosion. It took him 25 years, but it weighs 47 tons, and the vehicle that was parked behind it was a 78-foot-long Atlas E missile, topped with an atomic bomb. The home consists of two main areas. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. There were 8 Atlas D, 27 Atlas E and 72 Atlas F operational missile complexes built. By October, all nine sites had their Atlas E missiles. In 2018, an Interim Remedial Action was performed to remove the water and sediments from the sump, sediment trap, and flame pit structures. Inside the control room, lime green paint created a gloomy, haunted feel, almost as if you were in the heads of servicemen ready to start the launch sequence. The one structure Peden added to the property is a sunroom containing a hot tub. Another 1965 photograph of an Atlas-E ICBM inside a missile bay much like Peden's. Hes shown his home to individuals and classrooms. UPPER AND LOWER LEVELS OF THE LAUNCH CONTROL CENTER ARE NEARLY COMPLETED. rural water and electrical on site ready for re-connection, sewer lagoon system is functional - needs new ejector pump, 15,000 sq. As the miles pass it becomes obvious why the government decided to build a cluster of missile sites where it did. There were 9 sites built in a ring around Topeka. This bad boy is located South of salina Atlas f missile silo It comes with 19 acres. The underground complex was designed to withstand a nuclear strike and has water, electricity and a forced sewage system to the ground surface. In 1961 America's nuclear muscle was flexed, paraded down the streets of Topeka, Kansas. Photo: Courtesy of Eldon Wilford via siloworld.com. With a lot of cleaning, effort, and love, the space has transformed into an eclectic blend of bright colors covering industrial scenes. His Winnebago is parked right on top of a massive exhaust pit -- now covered by a huge steel plate -- that would have expelled the missile's flaming rocket plume as it shot out of the bay. The Atlas rocket was also used by NASA during the early days of manned space travel and was the booster used to put John Glenn into Earth orbit. Sediment and water samples taken the main sump, sediment trap, flame tunnel, and various pits located in and around the missile base structure, were determined to be potentially a source of groundwater contamination at the Site. To ready the missile for firing, the bay's roof was retracted and the missile lifted into a vertical position. At the entrance to the living quarters is a control panel, very similar to the one that was originally housed here. There were 9 sites built in a ring around Topeka. Located in rural pastoral setting of NE Kansas makes it a secluded and quiet get-a-way. The Pedens were one of the first to turn a missile site into a livable space. The structure is semi-hardened, which according to the Department of Defense means, construction that provides protection against near-miss detonations of large general-purpose military bombs and direct hits from smaller munitions. The structure requires thousands of cubic yards of very special, epoxy-resin concrete and heavy rebar. The property holds great potential to continue its use a secure private residence or further development into a unique tourist destination. The massive motorized bay door, which measures 18-by-20 feet and weighs more than 47 tons, gives you some idea of what lies behind it. Walking down the ramp to his garage door you can understand why: It's huge. The Atlas E type missiles were composed of the SM-65 variant and were housed in a "coffin launcher" style complex. June 29, 2022; creative careers quiz; ken thompson net worth unix . Though the living space is comfortable enough, once in a while the Pedens' two daughters, Ashley and Heather, mutiny. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Ed Peden's tunnels lead to his living space, on the left, and into his cavernous garage, on the right. Thank You !. One of the sites was located south of Lawrence, Kansas . The missile was kept in a horizontal position and in order to launch, a 400-ton hardened concrete overhead roof was rolled back after which the missile was elevated to a vertical launch position. Creatives disagree about the ethical uses of these tools, but one thing is clear: AI art identification is about to become a whole lot harder. We like it.". The room's glass doors lead to a balcony overlooking the largest and most impressive room in the "house.". She was very upset with me, says Dianna, now 61. The Atlas E was one of the earliest generations of rocket systems designed to deliver an atomic warhead anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Former Titan Nuclear Missile Silo for Sale in Arizona. The Atlas E missile. Just look at all that color! At the other end, a wooden door opens onto the former control center, now the Pedens' home. atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. He removed the sludge one trip at a time. Sure, it needed work. (The entrance to the bay can seen in the background). 2023 Cond Nast. In the 1950s, the military developed six versions of the Atlas missile. Comanche, one of the few surviving horses from the Battle of the Little Bighorn, was once the most famous horse in America. These photos show the amazing renovation that took over three decades. 27 de abril de 2022. That left the site, which had cost the government $3.3 million to build, in sorry shape. Peden had the room checked out by some of his more spiritual-minded friends. "Others want to grow mushrooms.". He toured the country in the late 1800s, drawing large, patriotic crowds. "There are nine of these Atlas E missile sites around Topeka, 12 Atlas Fs around Salina and 18 Titan IIs around Wichita." Old missile sites dot the country. The Forbes sites were completed 3 weeks ahead of schedule. The 47-ton blast door leads to the site that housed the missile, which is now used as a workshop. In a matter of a few months, Kansas will be the nation's No. At least one other Atlas site has been transformed into a home, but that silo owner guards his privacy assiduously. Fulkerson, who also got married on the property, has lived there and worked with the Pedens for the past 10 years. Details: 1012 New York St. By appointment only. The government spent millions of dollars building each of the sites but evolving weapons technology made them quickly obsolete. When the double steel doors at the end are slammed, they send dungeon-like echoes off the walls, as if you are entering another world or a really big basement. This Atlas E site is the last undeveloped site we know of for sale. Even before all the water was pumped out, even before the electricity was working, Peden cleared out the missile bay with a wheelbarrow, a shovel and a miner's cap. The inside seems unremarkable, except that the rooms have 15-foot ceilings and at the entrance to the living quarters is an old panel with switches for initiating a launch. Are you sure?. Now Its Paused, How to Spot AI-Generated Art, According to Artists. Click on image to expand gallery and view more photos. Ed and Dianna Peden bought this Cold War Atlas E nuclear missile silo and spent the last 33 years renovating it. "We try to plan time outside every day," Ed Peden says. It stretches past miles of Kansas farmland, occasionally interrupted by a rest stop or filling station. Today, you wouldn't guess how far it has changed to become a home. atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. An official website of the United States government, Civil Works Project Partnership Agreements, Former Fort Crowder Chemical Warfare Materiel Site, Former Naval Auxiliary Air Station Quillayute, Missouri River Wildlife Management Areas Map, https://usace1.webex.com/meet/calley.w.havens, Appendix B - Boring Logs / Construction Diagrams, Appendix C - Deep and Shallow Groundwater Elevation Graphs, Appendix I - Historical Analytical Tables, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. This atlas e site is the last undeveloped site we know of for sale. Classified as a single-family residence with zero bedrooms, one bathroom, and one garage space. He is also media savvy, as evidenced by the dozens of newspaper and magazine clippings taped to a hallway wall. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops delivered daily to your inbox. In New Mexico there are "silo clubs" more accurately, gatherings of young people drinking beer. Site 2 - Worden, Kansas as well as other partner offers and accept our, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Ed Peden, an ultralight manufacturer, and Dianna Ricke-Peden, a speech therapist, live on Atlas E missile base No. First, it establishes a record containing the documents that form the basis for selecting the response action. The poem ends with a statement that sums up the spirit in which the Pedens approach the transformation of missile silos: "Ancient fears will transform into Love.". The structure alone cost the government $3.3 million dollars to build, not including the cost of the land, rocket, warhead, equipment or staff. In the years following, the Atlas sites were dispersed among local governments, companies, and individuals by the federal government's General Services Administration. This site was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1950s and was operated by the U.S. Air Force from 1961 until 1965, when it was decommissioned and abandoned by the military in favor of newer rocket technology and stronger underground launch facilities. It is in excellent condition and will last for generations to come. However, theres plenty of sunshine in the above ground one-bedroom residence. This one put a deputy missile combat crew commander to sleep in front of his Atlas F launch console. They seek new owners who understand the inherent value of this structure and can capitalize on the foundation they have laid for its continued renovation. Active during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the site was decommissioned in 1965 when new technology rendered it obsolete. The tunnel makes an eerie foyer. Subterra, a converted Atlas E site, is now a 34 acre estate surrounded by pastoral Kansas hills located 25 miles west of Topeka. Workshop in former missile silo (realtor.com), Stairs down to underground home (realtor.com), Underground kitchen and dining room (realtor.com), News clippings about the bunker home (realtor.com). Peden teamed up with former student Tim Schwartz to form the. The ceilings were so high he was able to put in an upper level that added 3,000 square feet. Welcome to the home web site for the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron. With opportunity to build a home above and have the worlds coolest basement! Peden, shown here, had to buy a replacement since the original was long gone by the time he arrived. Ed kept the old missile control panel, complete with emergency hotline. The operational technical manual must have been fascinating reading. In transforming a missile silo into a home, the Pedens have incorporated many of the domestic comforts family happiness has traditionally thrived on. Listed below are the nine Atlas E missile bases which were assigned to the 548th SMS at Forbes AFB in Topeka, Kansas. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The 548th SMS was declared Operationally Ready in October of 1961. The United States wanted the entire world to know it was ready, willing and able to respond to any threat. To view more detailed information about a particular site, please click on the associated link below or use the green map buttons representing the silo locations. Contaminants in the soil were not detected above respective screening criteria. And he was able to use part of the launch area for assembling the ultralight aircraft he sells. If you love odd things, such as Elvis toothbrush and toenail, or a couch full of hundreds of sock monkeys, the Museum of Odd might be right up your slightly off-center alley. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Despite the labor problems and student pickets, the project continued on schedule. The facility is currently a private property. On July 1, 1960, the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron stood up. Have you ever heard of the missile silo near Topeka that was turned into a home? WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. 1961, the first Atlas missile arrived at Forbes. Originally a bomber squadron, this unit was deployed to England during World . can you leave citronella candles outside in rain . Peden stripped to his shorts and dropped a rope ladder into the flooded base. A Cold War-era missile silo base. Peden remodeled part of the base into a residential area, adding, among other things, two kitchens for his wife, who loves to cook. The former missile bay and launch control center now serve as a gargantuan garage and workshop. You can almost feel the 60s give you a hug as the sound of flutes floats softly through the incense-flavored air. atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time. Visit naturalhistory.ku.edu. The space is a boon, but a buyer will have to become accustomed to the lack of natural light. What they have called Subterra Castleincludes an underground living quarters, workshop, and event space that they have called home for more than three decades. Hes even used salvaged fuel tanks that hes covered with stone to erect his own castle towers on the property. The current owners purchased the property in the early 1980s. atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. He glorifies living underground, but carefully measures his words. Many of the sites give off an aura of doom, and, like the aura that surrounds graveyards, it inevitably attracts kids. The 548th SMS was based at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas from 1961 thru 1965. It's gone a long way since it was first bought in 1982, that's for sure. Before the pandemic, the above-ground unit was busy as a popular Airbnb. A Members section of this web site allows those who served in the 548th to find the people with whom they served. Nearly 20 years later Peden bought the base -- which had remained abandoned all that time -- for $48,000. Built on 11 acres of land, this property is home to a decommissioned Atlas F missile silo complex. This Atlas E site is the last undeveloped site we know of for sale. Copyright (c) 2023 Nathan A. Ferguson | Sitemap. Cass Mason, director of the Department of Public Safety in Hagerman, New Mexico, has been on two rescue missions in the last few years once when a man fell 40 feet into an Atlas-F, and another when children who were burning old Air Force manuals suffered smoke inhalation. Way back in the day, a missile silo used to sit at this spot just outside of Topeka. When they do leave, they put on the answering machine so that callers can hear their message: "We must be on the surface just now," it says. cryo chamber dark ambient atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. It would have been nice to have met him, Ed said. So in 1983 he bought the site for $40,000. There's also a workroom next door where Peden has built airplanes. An Atlas missile silo can be turned into a spacious home. There has been little need to add air conditioning, given the 18-inch-thick walls and ceilings and 36-inch floors. With almost endless living space of unmatched quality (18-inch concrete walls, three-foot concrete floors and 15-foot ceilings) its potential seemed limitless. A new owner could continue the vacation rental business, or even turn the entire place into a unique tourist destination, as the listing suggests. The Pedens, on the other hand, are happy to share their story. It is the strongest structure in the county. Otherwise known as the home of Randy Honey Boy Walker, this unusual collection is guaranteed to make you say Wha? at least once, and leave with a smile on your face. The Administrative Record file is located and maintained at or near the site in a local information repository. Plus, they've kept some of the original equipment around for their tours, so they don't lose the history of the place. These photos and videos show inside the stunning property. These sites were manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year during the time the Squadron was active. After being paraded through the streets of nearby towns and cities, the missiles were delivered to their respective bays and silos. Its a unique place, and if youve never toured it, you should definitely add it to your bucket list. He also built an office for himself and a bedroom for each daughter, both left untouched since they flew the nest. It was a mess, but he was determined. A large-scale overhaul has been completed on this once in a lifetime opportunity with endless possibilities! The federal government sold most to the private sector, but others are owned by federal agencies or state governments. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, all 548th sites were at a high level of alert and were ready to launch the Atlas missile should it have become necessary. More than 100 years later, hes still there. Holding his nose to dive under doorways between the flooded rooms, Peden took his first tour of what would soon become his family home. But not everythings modern. Once upright, the rocket was fueled with RP-1 (kerosene) and liquid oxygen (LOX). Now, very deliberately, it's filled with spiritual artifacts from all over the world. Cold Warera nuclear missile silo is transformed into a vast 18,000sq from thenationalreporterng.com. > monoliths appearing 2022 > atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas. The Atlas E missile had a range of approximately 6,000 miles. It then took 80 wheelbarrow trips to clear the space of mud and gunk, Siegle notes. Atlas Missile Silo in New York Is Listed for $600K, Two More Titan II Nuclear Missile Silos Blast Onto the Market in Arizona, What a Blast! EXTENSIVE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CLEANUP HAS BEEN COMPLETED WITH REFURBISHMENT FINISHED ON ENTRYWAY, ENTRAPMENT AREA, BLAST VESTIBULES, STAIRWELL AND UTILITY TUNNEL. Up the spiral staircase to a sunroom, the tour ends. Above ground, the property features two lookout towers designed like castle turrets, a Quonset building, a 450-foot caretaker cabin, and even a Stonehenge-like ceremonial stone circle with a fire pit, used for outdoor events. What to Do When Netflix Wont Let You Share Your Password. We dont want people dropping by, says Ed. Peden is a former Topeka high school teacher-turned-real estate mogul, who specializes in selling off these abandoned missile bases. The 548th SMS was based at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas from 1961 thru 1965. Atlas missiles were America's first intercontinental ballistic weapons; 100 were installed in permanent sites around the country during the 1950s and early '60s, mostly in the Midwest. The Atlas ballistic missile began with the US Army Air Corps request for proposal in October 1945, which led to development in the 1950's of the Atlas, Navaho, Snark, and Matador/Mace missiles. The Atlas E was one of the earliest generations of rocket systems designed to deliver an atomic warhead anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Some resembled underground cities in their scale. Regardless of the dangers, the Pedens' faith in the value of the old missile bases is unwavering. It was built as an Atlas E missile structure in the early 1950s, in response to the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. As structures go, though, this silo is still pretty darn solid. Theres also a framed photo of one of his uncles. The Atlas E is usually considered the best ICBM site for retrofit with its drive-in access and over-all size. But where others saw problems, Ed saw opportunity. ankona boats for sale florida. Meet 2 women who tried to catch him, Super Bowl champ Chiefs players arent happy. "All the sites have their problems," he says. Just 25 miles west of Topeka, this unique structure hides mostly underground. "Dad, why do we have to live in a hole in the ground?" 1 springboard for long-range missiles. Before the 80s, an Atlas E intercontinental ballistic missile with a 4 megaton warhead lived here. And stories circulate about dead bodies and ghosts and a silo-dwelling hydra-headed monster stories that occasionally inspire dangerous stunts. The Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for detecting contamination of former missile sites, has been a continuing presence on the property for fives years now.