Minuteman III missile installation, silo "Juliet 6", Peetz, Colorado. This missile is being returned to its silo after propellant replacement and guidance system upgrades. It will be lowered by winch-driven cables from its Transporter Erector vehicle parked overhead. The Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were the first with solid-fuel motors, designed to be storable, reliable, and launchable on short notice. The first Minuteman missile went on alert on October 27, 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The latest Minuteman III version (with three warheads) was deployed in 1970.

Minuteman III missile installation, silo "Juliet 6", Peetz, Colorado. This missile is being returned to its silo after propellant replacement and guidance system upgrades. It is being lowered by winch-driven cables from its Transporter Erector vehicle parked overhead. The Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) were the first with solid-fuel motors, designed to be storable, reliable, and launchable on short notice. The first Minuteman missile went on alert on October 27, 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The latest Minuteman III version (with three warheads) was deployed in 1970.

A page of doodles made by President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, on which the phrase

** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND OCT. 8-9 ** This photo provided by the Richard Heyser private collection shows Gen. Thomas Powers, standing at the far left, poses with U-2 pilots who flew surveillance missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as shown in this 1962 file picture, after he had presented each with a Distinguished Flying Cross at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The pilots standing are Edwin Emerling; Buddy Brown; Richard Heyser; James Qualls; and Roger Herman, from left. Kneeling from left are: George Bull; Charles Kern; Gerald McIlmoyle; Robert Primrose; and Daniel Schmarr. Heyser, now living in Apalachicola, Fla., is credited with taking the first photos of Soviet ballastic missile sites in Cuba, triggering the crisis, but he says all should share the credit including one pilot who died when shot down over Cuba, Rudolf Anderson. (AP Photo/ Richard Heyser private collection)

** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND OCT. 8-9 ** This undated photo provided by the Richard Heyser private collection, shows Richard ??Steve'' Heyser standing next a U-2 spy plane while stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Heyser, now a retired lieutenant colonel living in Apalachicola, Fla., took the first photos showing Soviet ballastic missile sites in Cuba on Oct. 14, 1962, setting off the Cuban Missile Crisis. Heyser said he was relieved it ended peacefully because he did not want to go down in history as starting World War III. AP Photo/ Richard Heyser private collection)

Aerial picture taken 04 December 1962 on the Cuban coast of the Soviet freighter "Okhotsk" carrying "Ilyouchine IL 28" missiles in accordance with the US-Soviet agreement on the withdrawal of the Russian Missiles from Cuba. American planes and helicopters fly in at a low-level to keep close check on the dismantling and loading operations, while US warships watch over Soviet freighters carrying missiles back to Soviet Union.

US soldiers, supported by a military helicopter, patrol, 20 November 1962, the American naval base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. The US military naval base of Guantanamo is in stand by and was reinforced because of the Cuban missile crisis. The Cuban missile crisis and its aftermath was the most serious U.S.-Soviet confrontation of the Cold War.

US soldiers check Cuban employees that leave the American naval base after their work in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, 20 November 1962. The US military naval base of Guantanamo is in stand by and was reinforced because of the Cuban missile crisis. The Cuban missile crisis and its aftermath was the most serious U.S.-Soviet confrontation of the Cold War.

Admiral Robert Dennison (L), US navy commander of the Atlantic forces and Lieutenant General Louis W. Truman, commander of the Joint Task Force-Four (R) are seen during a visit to the American naval base of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, 17 November 1962. The US military naval base of Guantanamo is in stand by and was reinforced because of the Cuban missile crisis. The Cuban missile crisis and its aftermath was the most serious U.S.-Soviet confrontation of the Cold War.

Un destroyer de la Marine americaine arrete un cargo sovietique afin d'en verifier la cargaison, le 12 novembre 1962. Le cargo venait de Cuba. A US destroyer stops a soviet cargo in order to check the freight, 12 November 1962. The cargo was coming from Cuba.

Pictures taken 10 November 1962 of a Soviet submarine near the Cuban coast controlling the operations of withdrawal of the Russian Missiles from Cuba in accordance with the US-Soviet agreement. American planes and helicopters fly in at a low-level to keep close check on the dismantling and loading operations, while US warships watch over Soviet freighters carrying missiles back to Soviet Union.

Aerial picture dated 10 November 1962 of Mariel naval port in Cuba showing three soviet ships waiting to be loaded with the missiles in accordance with the US-Soviet agreement on the withdrawal of the Russian Missiles from Cuba. American planes and helicopters fly in at a low-level to keep close check on the dismantling and loading operations, while US warships watch over Soviet freighters carrying missiles back to Soviet Union.

The Soviet ship, frighter Volgoles, about 40 miles northeast of Cuba, sails away from the port of Mariel, Cuba on Nov. 9, 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The ship's afterdeck was believed to be loaded with shrouded missile apparatus. Half-tracked trucks are also visible. (AP Photo/RHS)

Aerial picture taken 09 November 1962 on the Cuban coast of the Soviet freighter "Anosov" carrying missiles in accordance with the US-Soviet agreement on the withdrawal of the Russian Missiles from Cuba. American planes and helicopters fly in at a low-level to keep close check on the dismantling and loading operations, while US warships watch over Soviet freighters carrying missiles back to Soviet Union.

The coffin of Major Rudolf Anderson Jr., the sole casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis, is lifted in a Swiss plane, on Havana's airport, 06 November 1962. Major Anderson's U-2 was shot down by a Cuban SA-2 missile, 27 October 1962, over Cuba, while negotiations between President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev were still under way. The Cuban missile crisis and its aftermath was the most serious U.S.-Soviet confrontation of the Cold War.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy reports to the nation on the status of the Cuban crisis from Washington, D.C. on Nov. 2, 1962. He told radio and television listeners that Soviet missile bases

Cuban leader Fidel Castro (C) inspects weapons in a military base, 02 November 1962, during the missiles crisis. The Cuban missile crisis and its aftermath was the most serious U.S.-Soviet confrontation of the Cold War.

President John F. Kennedy, back to camera, is seen at the White House, Oct. 30, 1962, with four Air Force officers who have had a part in the aerial surveillance of Cuba. From left to right: Col. Ralph D. Stoakley, who heads the Washington team that evaluates the reconnaissance photographs; Lt. Col. Joseph M. O'Grady and Maj. Richard S. Heyser, two pilots who have flown some of the Cuban missions; and Gen. Curtis LeMay, Air Force Chief of Staff. (AP Photo)

President John F. Kennedy poses in his White House office with Gen. David Shoup, left, Marine Corps Commandant, and Adm. George Anderson, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, Oct. 29, 1962. The chiefs met with the president to review the present situation in Cuba and operation of the U.S. naval blockade. (AP Photo/William J. Smith)

President John F. Kennedy leaves St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church after attending services in Washington, Oct. 28, 1962, shortly after the announcement from Moscow that Premier Khrushchev ordered Soviet rocket bases in Cuba dismantled and rockets returned to Russia. (AP Photo/John Rous)