USAF approves Program 616A (Improved SLFCS); system would improve SLFCS by providing anti-jam protection, improved modems, increased range and make it compatible with the Navy LF/VLF system 1978 SAC conducts Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota for Program 616A; test is successful 1986 30 Sep – deactivation of Hawes Radio Relay Site, Hinkley, California 20 Oct – destruction of Hawes Radio Relay Site by the Army Corps of Engineers 1996 Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) upgrade to Minuteman launch control centers complete; advances allow SLFCS messages to be handled automatically by Higher Authority Communications/Rapid Message Processing Element (HAC/RMPE) 2005 11 Nov – last Minuteman Launch Control Center receives Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) upgrade, rendering SLFCS obsolete. 2010 MMP – Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network Program now in the upgrade portion. Work In Progress. Advanced EHF will be available once upgrade is complete. Photo gallery See also Post Attack Command and Control System (PACCS) Ground Wave Emergency Network (GWEN) Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network (MEECN) Emergency Rocket Communications System (ERCS) Hawes Radio Tower – Location of the West Coast SLFCS transmitter until the mid-1980s at Hawes field Silver Creek Communications Annex – Location of the East Coast SLFCS transmitter until the mid-1990s References External links Mojave Roads: "Hawes Journal" Military radio systems of the United States Nuclear warfare United States Department of Defense Military communications of the United States United States nuclear command and control