Interview with a former Minuteman ICBM Nuclear Launch Control Officer
In the interview on “The Good Trouble Show with Matt Ford,” David Schindele, a former Minuteman ICBM Nuclear Launch Control Officer, shared his personal experiences and viewpoints regarding UFO/UAP phenomena and his interaction with the Pentagon’s UFO/UAP program, AARO. Schindele recounted a significant incident from his military service, where several missiles at a control facility unexpectedly went off-alert, coinciding with nearby sightings of unidentified flying objects. This experience had a profound impact on Schindele and formed a crucial part of his story.
Schindele’s interaction with AARO was marked by dissatisfaction. He described how he was approached for testimony and his experience with the program, which he found lacked professionalism and seriousness. He pointed out issues such as the use of impersonal form letters for communication, insufficient depth in questioning during his interview, and a general sense of disinterest from AARO officials.
Expressing skepticism about AARO’s effectiveness in genuinely investigating UFO/UAP phenomena, Schindele suggested that AARO might be influenced or constrained by external forces, impacting its ability to conduct thorough investigations. He also looked into the personal challenges he faced due to the secrecy surrounding his UFO encounter, discussing the mental and emotional toll of keeping such experiences confidential and his frustration with the lack of open dialogue on these matters within military and government circles.
Schindele described how, during a shift at a launch control facility, he and his commander were informed that several missiles had gone off alert status, meaning they were no longer ready for launch. This situation was highly unusual, as it was rare for multiple missiles to simultaneously become non-operational. The incident coincided with reports from local residents of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) observed in the vicinity of the missile sites.
Upon arriving at the facility, Schindele confirmed that all the missiles under their control were indeed off alert. The control console showed red lights across the board, indicating the missiles were inoperable. This was unprecedented for Schindele, who noted that it was uncommon to see even one or two missiles off alert at the same time, let alone an entire flight of ten missiles.
Schindele recounted how the crew he relieved had reported seeing a UFO hovering near the facility during the night. This sighting was made by the topside security personnel, who had a direct visual of the object. According to their description, the object was characterized by bright, flashing lights and hovered silently before suddenly departing at high speed. The deactivation of the missiles coincided temporally with this sighting.
The incident left a profound impact on Schindele and raised several questions about the nature of the UFOs and their capabilities, particularly their apparent ability to interfere with military hardware. He also expressed frustration about the secrecy surrounding the event. Following the incident, Schindele and other personnel were instructed not to speak of the event, contributing to the shroud of mystery and secrecy that often accompanies such UFO-related incidents in the military.
Highlighting the need for greater public awareness and Congressional oversight regarding UFO/UAP issues, Schindele suggested that more robust engagement from lawmakers could lead to better accountability and more thorough investigations of these phenomena. Schindele’s interview sheds light on the challenges and complexities involved in addressing unexplained incidents and contributes significantly to the discussion about UFO/UAP phenomena, particularly in the context of military encounters and government response.
