Series 4248

MX Coordination Office MX missile deployment and national defense issues subject files, 1978-1981.

2.00 cubic feet

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

The Utah MX Coordination Office collected information to help Utah officials study and evaluate the potential impact of MX missile deployment in the Great Basin, and these records were apparently acquired for and used in this effort. Information in this series essentially placed the MX missile in the context of the larger national defense system.

Scope and Content

The series consists of various letters, memos, reports, notes, personal statements, and newsletters written by political leaders at all levels of government. Particularly well represented are reports and statements made by officials of the Carter administration, and hearings and reports made by various officials and committees of the U.S. Congress. A television script, from the Bill Moyers Journal program, in which MX issues were debated is included.
The Utah MX Coordination Office collected information to better help Utah officials study and evaluate the potential impact of MX missile deployment in the Great Basin, and these records were apparently acquired for and used in this effort. Information in this series essentially places the MX missile in the context of the larger national defense system. Conflicting opinions from both supporters and opponents of the project are well represented.
The general debate concerned deployment of the MX missile and whether it really contributed todefense of the nation. To a lesser extent the debate about the type and degree of expected environmental, economic, and social impacts of deployment can also be followed. Arguments were often very detailed. Proponents argued that:
(1) The initial cost of MX deployment would be less than alternative missile deployment systems, and that subsequent maintenance costs of the MX system would be comparable.
(2) Effects on the environment would be minimal, resulting in the closure of only approximately twenty-five square miles of land. The system would coexist harmoniously with communities, recreation, ranching, mining facilities, and wildlife.
(3) The MX system would be difficult to attack and eliminate through a first strike, making our other defense systems more secure.
Opponents argued that:
(1) Deployment of the MX would cause severe environmental, social, and economic problems.
(2) It would increase the arms race, so that national security would not really be enhanced.
(3) The MXmissile would not really be a mobile system, since each launch point would be fixed. It would also be extremely vulnerable while being built.
(4) Technological advances would make it possible for enemies to distinguish between live missiles and its decoys.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by subject.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Custody History

After the Utah MX Coordination Office was closed in 1981, these records were used as a reference resource in the Office of Planning and Budget. Transfer to the Archives occurred in 1984.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

Archival processing was completed in 1987 by Brent Brinkerhoff.

Related Material

Governor's MX missile correspondence from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4247, shows the evolution of local public opinion about these same issues.
MX missile news articles from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4249, contains unpublished documents that also express opinions about the role of the missile system in national defense.
Living facilities planning reports from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5646, consists of various letters, memos, reports, notes, personal statements, and newsletters written by political leaders at all levels of government concerning the MX issue.
Draft environmental impact studies from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5647, consists of various letters, memos, reports, notes, personal statements, and newsletters written by political leaders at all levels of government concerning the MX issue.
MX technical issues briefing transcript from the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, Series 11927, helps frame many of the larger issues, debates, and controversies concerning the MX proposal in Utah.
MX environmental technical reports from the MX Coordination Office, Series 17499, contains an assortment of collected records utilized by staff of the MX Coordination Office in their analysis and coordination efforts.

Container List

BoxFolderDescription
11Ballistic Missile Defense Program
12Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate
13Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
14Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
15Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
16Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
17Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
18Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
19Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
110Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
111Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
112Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
113Bill Moyer's Journal-MX Debate (Cont.)
114Chief of Staff General Lew Allen
115Commander in Chief General Richard Ellis-Strategic Air Command
116Congressional Record
117Congressional Record (Cont.)
118Congressional Record (Cont.)
119Congressional Record (Cont.)
120Congressional Record (Cont.)
121Congressional Record (Cont.)
122Congressional Record Report
123Congressional Record Report (Cont.)
124Congressional Record Report (Cont.)
125Cruise Missile Flight Tests
126Defense Analyst Articles
127Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
128Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
129Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
130Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
131Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
132Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
133Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
134Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
135Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
136Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
137Defense Analyst Articles (Cont.)
138Deployment Management Plan
139Deployment Management Plan (Cont.)
140Deputy Undersecretary of Defense
141Ellsworth Air Force Base Tour
142Environmental Impact Analysis Process
143Great Basin Reaction to the MX Proposal
144Horizontal Dash System
145Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program
146Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Vulnerability
147MX Information Center
148MX Facts and Figures
149MX Missile System Basing Act
150MX Missile System and the Environment
151MX Newsletter
152MX Questions and Answers
153Proposed Deployment Hearings
154Nevada Governor Robert List
155Nevada Governor Robert List (Cont.)
156Nevada Governor Robert List (Cont.)
157Nevada Governor Robert List (Cont.)
158Nevada Governor Robert List (Cont.)
159Nevada Governor Robert List (Cont.)
160President Carter - News Release
161Public Service Communications
162Secretary of Defense Harold Brown
163Senate Armed Services Committee Hearings
21Strategic Air Command
22Submarine Based Missiles
23Technical Issues
24Town Meetings in Utah
25Under Secretary of the Air Force
26Under Secretary of Defense
27Underground Missile Basing Mode
28Underground Missile Basing Mode (Cont.)
29Underground Missile Basing Mode (Cont.)
210Underground Missile Basing Mode (Cont.)
211U.S. Air Force Contractor's Addresses
212U.S. Air Force Fact Sheets on MX Missiles
213U.S. Air Force News Releases
214U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
215U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (Cont.)
216U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (Cont.)
217U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (Cont.)
218U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (Cont.)
219U.S. Senate and House of Representatives (Cont.)
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson (Cont.)
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson (Cont.)
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson (Cont.)
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson (Cont.)
220Utah Governor Scott Matheson (Cont.)
226Utah State Senator Francis Farley
227Utah State Senator Francis Farley (Cont.)
228Utah State Senator Francis Farley (Cont.)