Jim:
Perhaps this will be a good point from which to begin your research:
Projected US Casualties and Destruction of US
Medical Services From Attacks by Russian Nuclear Forces
Regards, – Christian W.
Jim,
The short answer is that most of the targeting information on the old 1960s era maps that Bruce Beach incorporated in his book are still valid. Sure, the Russians and the Chinese know what sites are decommissioned and not worth wasting a nuke. Critical infrastructure (dams, oil and gas fields with storage facilities, large grain silos, food distribution warehouses, etc) is targeted by enhanced radiation
air burst devices (neutron weapons) to preserve the equipment but destroy the personnel. Likewise, the population centers and active military bases are targeted by such enhanced radiation devices. The deep penetration devices that produce the preponderance of fallout are targeted on hardened silos and military command centers deep underground.
Russia and China have shifted emphasis from land based ICBMs to sea and air launched stand off cruise missiles….and they are using guidance technology conveniently provided to them by Bill Clinton and his administration. They now have state of the art guidance thanks to Loral Communications and enhanced radiation micro nuke warheads thanks to pilfered files from Sandia Labs and Lawrence Livermore [National Laboratory]–pilfered by foreign agents, assisted by the the Clinton administration.
Though they have shifted targeting to get more bang for the buck, decommissioned military sites that have runways capable of being used to support bombers and fighter/interceptors are still targeted….but so are civilian airports with runways and fuel depots capable of supporting such bombers, fighter interceptors, or hastily reconfigured 747,757,767,and 777 airliners. Boeing puts hard attachment points in the wings of civilian airliners so they can be rapidly reconfigured to carry air launched cruise missiles. [JWR Adds: Reference, Lawrence? I hadn’t previously read anything about this.] Anyway, the old 1960s era targeting maps will still give the survivalist a good idea of where not to be when TSHTF. Regards, – Lawrence
Hi Jim,
Regarding Rourke’s recent letter to SurvivalBlog on updated nuclear weapon targeting data: I’ve been collecting thousands of pages of the old, original US government documents on civil defense, sheltering, and targeting info for the past 10 years or so…some of which goes back to 1942. I also have a very high interest in creating an updated targeting database, based on open source info and the original, unclassified documents that have become available in recent years, such as the Nuclear Attack Planning Base 90 report, which can now be found at the FAS web site (my site as well). I obtained FEMA 196 years ago, and made sure Bruce got copies of that and many other reports years ago, and also created the PDF version of 196 for digital download of the entire book, which can be found on my web site, along with hundreds of other PDF documents.
I have had one of the original targeting lists online for many years as well, at www.survivalring.org/cd-targets.htm and ask for input regarding updates on this page. Currently, I’m redesigning SurvivalRing.org to use a database driven design, versus the static html version as it has been since inception, and with the update, will be adding data systems that allow instant online updates (as well as site user updates) of data just like this. Adding online mapping ( i.e. Google Maps) into the equation brings a whole other level of info refinement.
Regarding Bruce and Shane, I’ve been working with both of them since pre-2000 for building, creating, and sharing info just like this. I’m hoping we can continue to work together in the future to get information and prepping data out as widely as possible.
We all know that the possibility of all out thermonuclear war is a mere fraction of what it was during the real heat of the Cold War, but the possibility of multiple terrorist nuclear detonations or warheads or dirty bombs is truly the worst fear of the current, and future, administrations. As with 9/11, [Hurricane] Katrina, and other catastrophic events have recently shown us, there is no defense from massive disaster, only recovery. And when it comes to the government, a very slow response to immediate need for help. And, yes, here I know that I am preaching to the choir.
Having a starting list as the Feds have provided, and updating it with current and known changes, to create a new possible target list, is a very high need for all US citizens. Unfortunately, in all my latest research, I have not found any reference to any updates to unclassified target lists. The 1990 printing of FEMA 196 seems to be the end of the road, and all other target documents predate this booklet. High Risk Areas (TR72) was the basis for NAPB90, and 196 was the consumer follow up.
So…this area of interest should most definitely be followed up, and a project started to produce an updated mapping of safe areas in the continental USA. It all depends on getting enough folks to decide to work on it. Anyone interested? Contact me at SurvivalRing.org. – Rich Fleetwood