When World War 3 Breaks Our Chances In North Dakota Aren't Good

As geo-political tensions continue to rise among global nuclear superpowers, we have to yet again ask ourselves: What locations in North Dakota would be targeted?

Clip from the 1983 film WarGames

Given North Dakota's large nuclear stockpile, enhanced drone operations, and several military sites, the state may be one of the initial targets, even before important instillations or command posts around the nation.

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North Dakota is home to the biggest cache of nuclear weapons in the United States Air Force, with an estimated 1200 weapons. Of these, 800 are ready for deployment aboard stationed B-52 bombers, and 400 are warheads for Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.

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There would be tens of thousands of victims if a single average-sized (500 kiloton) nuclear weapon were to be detonated at Minot Air Force Base, which is quite probable. The blast's detonation might send debris hurtling westward to Wolf Point, Montana, or eastward to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the event of a 15 mph wind.

Among the many potential targets in North Dakota would be Grand Forks Air Force Base, particularly given the number of Predator B Unmanned Aircraft Systems kept there.

North Dakota's expansive terrain is dotted with more than 400 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. A preemptive strike would aim to hit all of those locations.

In the event of a global nuclear war, we might receive hits from dozens, if not hundreds, of nukes between North Dakota and Montana.