An inert rocket, believed to have been used to carry a nuclear warhead, was recently discovered in the garage of a deceased resident in Bellevue, Washington. The local police were alerted to the military-grade rocket by an Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, who received an offer to donate the item. The rocket had reportedly been purchased at an estate sale by the deceased resident's neighbor.
Upon inspection by the bomb squad, it was determined that the rusting object was a Douglas AIR-2 Genie (previously known as MB-1). This unguided air-to-air rocket was designed to carry a 1.5 kt W25 nuclear warhead. However, there was neither a warhead attached nor any rocket fuel present. As a result, the item was deemed an artifact with no explosive hazard.
Due to the inert nature of the rocket and the fact that the military did not request its return, the police decided to leave it with the neighbor. It is expected that the neighbor will restore the rocket for display in a museum, preserving this piece of Cold War-era history.
The AIR-2 Genie rocket was utilized by the United States and Canada during a period of the Cold War when intercepting Soviet strategic bombers posed a significant military concern. This rocket's historical significance is highlighted by an incident in July 1957 when a Genie was launched from an F89J interceptor at an altitude of 18,000 feet over Yucca Flats, Nevada. This test detonation marked the first and only time a U.S. nuclear-tipped air-to-air rocket was deployed.
The Bellevue police took a lighthearted approach in addressing the unusual discovery, stating on Twitter, 'And we think it's gonna be a long, long time before we get another call like this again,' accompanied by a rocket emoji. The incident has since drawn attention to the unique and sometimes unexpected artifacts that can be found within communities, shedding light on important historical milestones and the progress made in nuclear armament.
While the presence of a rocket designed for nuclear warheads may initially spark concerns, this incident serves as a reminder of how times have changed and the strides that have been made in international arms control agreements. The fact that this rocket was found inert and without its warhead or fuel underlines the steps taken to ensure disarmament and safety in the post-Cold War era.
