Mileage sign indicating distance from Thule Air Force Base in Greenland to various cities throughout world. Lineman climbs utility pole and repairs line.
Film opens with views of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) radar installation at Thule, Greenland. View of two airmen walking underneath one of the huge antennas. Scene shifts to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) Command Post at Offutt Air Force Base, in Nebraska, where data from the BMEWS system is displayed on its monitors. The SAC Senior Controller, a Colonel, is seen on the "gray phone," via which he can communicate directly with various SAC entities. More views of BMEWS radar facilities. Back at the SAC Command Post, the camera focuses on the Operations Officer Controller, a Major, occupying number 4 controller position. He is seen talking on the gray phone. He presses a button labeled "Pease" (for Pease Air Force Force Base). View of his assistant (A master Sergeant). Next a flight of F-105 Thunderchief aircraft are seen closeup in formation with a SAC KC-135 tanker, from which one is receiving inflight refueling. View further away of the four F-105s and their tanker. Back at the Command Post, a Captain and a master Sergeant are keeping track of logistics affecting SAC worldwide. View of ordnance being transported on a SAC flightline. An officer and NCO on phones, and airmen on duty at switchboards of the SAC worldwide communications network encompassing ground lines of telephone, teletype, plus low frequency, high frequency, and ultra high frequency radio links. Switch board operator plugging in lines on the board. Camera pans over the controllers' positions at the command post. The Senior Controller (Colonel) asks the Operations Officer Controller (Major) to do a maintenance test of the primary alert system, whereupon, the Major lifts the red phone, and announces a test of all stations. Aerial view of SAC B-52 bombers parked on hardstands at an alert facility. Inside the alert area, SAC crew members are seen in their billets, where they stand 15 minute ground alert. One is playing a guitar, while the other is reading a manual. A partially open Minuteman missile silo, and a Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic missile (ICBM) silo opening with its missile being raised. A missile control crew inside the complex. More views of the SAC command and control center, at Offutt Air Force Base.
Overseas activities of U.S. Coast Guard in World War 2. View from ship bow in heavy North Atlantic seas. A map shows Greenland. U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard Cutter in Greenland waters with mountains and snow behind. U.S. Coast Guard officers conferring with Danish Naval officer. James K. Penfield, first United States consul in Greenland, being brought ashore by U.S. Coast Guard officers. Coast Guardsmen supplying food and supplies to natives of Greenland. Views of Greenland's Cryolite mine with men rappelling down its sides. Coast Guardsmen, released from U.S. service, and employed as armed guards, by the Government of Greenland, are seen protecting the Cryolite mine. Topographic survey of Greenland being conducted by Coast Guard personnel. Coast Guard two-place Bi-wing float plane is seen at rest in harbor and then later taking off.. U.S. Coast Guardsmen install, and test fire,a 3 inch gun, to protect a Greenland harbor. Coast guardsmen capture and occupy radio stations planted by Germans in Greenland. Newspaper from December 14,1944 describes how three German Arctic expeditions were broken up by the U.S. Coast Guard. A ship is torpedoed and burns in convoy of ships in North Atlantic Captain of another ship observes through binoculars. Several crew members are rescued from a raft. Coast Guard Cutter fires depth charges. Ships fire deck guns and antiaircraft guns against enemy. Destroyer Escort Savage (DE-386) at sea, manned by U.S. Coast Guard crew.. Admiral Russell R. Waesche decorates Coast Guardsmen. Coast Guard Cutter "Hamilton", the first American warship torpedoed in the Atlantic in WWII. Commandant Russell Waesche gives a statement in Washington D.C.
Key lying on table with tag 'Conference Room' at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico. Sergeant picks up the key and opens door. He places sign on door 'Conference in Session' and enters room. Colonel Martin and other officers at desk in conference room. Colonel Cropmton in conference room, stands at wall map, pointing out route from Walker Air Force Base to Thule Air Force Base.
Chart showing U.S. Coast Guard routes across the North Atlantic during World War Two. Scenes of the rugged Greenland landscape. Views of the Greenland Cryolite mine. A U.S. Coast Guard Cutter berthed at the pier near the mine. Greenlanders working in the open pit cryolite mine with jackhammers and steam shovels. U.S. Coast Guard officers seated, conferring with Danish Naval officer. James K. Penfield, first United States consul in Greenland looks on and interjects a comment, while pointing at a map. Supplies being transferred to a Greenland small boat. Two German meteorologists pose by their small weather station. German flag seen in background. View inside the German weather station, shows instruments, clip boards, weather maps, and radio equipment.
Lieutenant Brown at wall map using pointers, briefs crew on route map at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico. He points out at Thule Air Force Base, Walker Air Force Base on map.