Grassrange, Montana: Power Loss and Thermal Anomaly at N-06 Launch Site

Incident Overview During winter 1987, Security Policeman Joseph C. Pscolka was alerted by the night shift flight security controller at the N-01 missile alert facility that an alarm response team at the N-06 launch site had lost contact for approximately one hour. Pscolka assembled a security response team to investigate.

Power and Equipment Failures Upon arrival, the alert team's vehicle was found parked 50 feet from the facility gate with all systems inactive—lights extinguished and engine off. When Pscolka approached in his Peacekeeper armored personnel carrier, his vehicle experienced complete power loss. The alert team immediately evacuated their vehicle and sought refuge in Pscolka's APC, reporting that their equipment, including flashlights, had ceased functioning entirely.

Thermal and Environmental Anomalies The most striking observation involved the immediate perimeter: the area within 20 feet of the facility gate was completely devoid of snow, despite knee-deep accumulation in surrounding areas. Pscolka noted elevated temperatures within this zone, with soil and facility surfaces registering notably warm to hot. No unauthorized personnel were discovered inside the facility.

Resolution and Aftermath As additional armored vehicles approached the access road, all facility and vehicle lighting systems spontaneously reactivated. Personnel were subsequently debriefed and instructed to maintain operational security regarding the incident.