Gallery: The Photogs Who Risk Jail to Capture Crumbling Cold War Relics
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Santa Susana Field Laboratory Simi Valley, California | The Army, the Air Force, and NASA tested ballistic-missile systems and spacecraft engines here from 1947 to 2006.
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Suisun Reservel Fleet Suisun Bay, California | The ships in this mothballed fleet were used in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. This is the Crow’s nest on USS Point Defiance.
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USS Sperry
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USS Taluga
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The “shipboard forest”
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Lower berth on the USS Glacier
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Chalkboard in an engine room
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Titanl Missile Site Yuba City, California | One of dozens of missile complexes built in the 1960s, this site was designed to launch and withstand multimegaton nuclear bombs. This is an insignia on a diesel fuel tank.
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Air shaft in a powerhouse
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Equipment terminal, level 4
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Vandenberg Air Force Base Vandenberg, California | This base served as the launch site for the Corona project, America's first satellite surveillance effort, which covered more than 1.65 million square miles of Soviet territory in 1960. This is an access tube to an Atlas silo.
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Launch control switchboard
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Liquid oxygen tanks
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Blast lock area
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Spiral staircase up to the surface
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Ventilation control panel
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Relics from a Titan silo
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Launch crib for a ballistic missile
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Tube to a Titan test facility
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Access tube to two more silos
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Algae blooms in a destroyed silo
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