アメリカに残る冷戦時代の最大のシンボルのひとつが、約10年ぶりに再稼働することになった。
その最大のシンボルとは、半世紀以上も前にコロラド州のロッキー山脈の地下に作られたシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地。アメリカ国防総省はこのシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地の地下壕と司令部を改装して、再び使用することを決めた。
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地は、冷戦時代に北アメリカ航空宇宙防衛司令部（NORAD）によって使われていた。人工衛星や核ミサイル、爆撃機の動きを見張っているNORADは、地下にあるシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地からソ連が核攻撃をしかけてこないか監視していたのだ。
1983年の映画『ウォー・ゲーム』に登場したNORAD。この場面ではコンピューターのハッキングによって生じた「ソ連からの核攻撃」に緊急対応している。
しかし、冷戦後にアメリカ政府はロシアはもはや脅威ではないと判断。シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地は2006年に閉鎖され、NORADは近くにあるピーターソン空軍基地に移転した。
しかし3月30日、アメリカ国防総省は約7億ドルを投じてシャイアン・マウンテンの施設を改装し、そこにアメリカ軍の精密通信機器を移転させると発表した。理由は、軍の精密通信機器を電磁パルス（EMP）による攻撃から守るためだ。強力な電磁波であるEMPには電子機器を破壊する威力があるとされる。
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地は、1960年代にロッキー山脈の地下に巨大なトンネルを掘って作られた。30メガトン級の核兵器による攻撃にも耐えるように設計されている。その存在は広く知られており、映画やテレビドラマなどにもたびたび登場している。なかでも有名なのは、1983年の映画『ウォー・ゲーム』だ。
再びスポットライトが当てられたシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地を、画像とともに紹介しよう。
ASSOCIATED PRESS
コロラド州コロラドスプリングス郊外にあるシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地の、中枢部につながる入口。約1.6km先に基地がある。2006年9月5日撮影。
ASSOCIATED PRESS
シャイアン・マウンテン司令部を訪れた人は、厚さ約1メートル、重さ25トンの防爆扉を通って施設に入る。2004年8月25日撮影\n
ASSOCIATED PRESS
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地の奥へと続く防爆扉。冷戦時代に国防の中枢だった司令部は、核攻撃に耐えられるように作られている。また、核シェルターとして内部での生活が可能であり、食堂、医療施設、運動施設、売店などもある。2006年9月5日撮影。\n
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地にあるNORADの入口へ、徒歩で向かう軍関係者たち。1966年1月6日撮影
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シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地への入口が写っている。1970年にNORADが公開。
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NORADの地下施設へと通じるトンネルの内部。1965年5月24日に撮影された資料写真。
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EG/AP
アメリカの防空警戒システムの中枢は、コロラドスプリングスの市街地からおよそ8kmほど離れたシャイアン・マウンテンの奥深くにあったのだ。写真から、シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地の規模が分かる。NORADは1965年の終わりごろにこの基地での本格稼働を開始した。1964年6月4日に撮影。
AP
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地内にある国防警報センターのルイス・スモイヤー所長が、1971年2月20日に誤って全国のラジオ局やテレビ局へ配信してしまった警報用のテープを取材記者に見せている。
ASSOCIATED PRESS
シャイアン・マウンテン空軍施設の長い廊下を歩いて行く職員。2006年9月5日撮影。アメリカの極秘の国防拠点だったシャイアン・マウンテン空軍基地は、経費節減のため2006年から「ウォーム・スタンバイ（すぐに稼働できる状態で待機すること）」となり、NORADは近隣のピーターソン空軍基地へ移転していた。\n
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この記事はハフポストUK版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。
[日本語版：水書健司/ガリレオ]
グアンタナモ米軍基地
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(01 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) An officer walks through a prison cell block in camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(02 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Razor wire tops a fence in camp 6 where prisoners are housed in a communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(03 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A recreation area lies behind a fence in camp 6 where prisoners are housed in a communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(04 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) U.S. Army personnel look at items in a static display setup for visitors in a prison cell in camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(05 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A chair with a restraining device on the floor is seen in camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(06 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) U.S. Army Military Police are seen in a prison cell block at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(07 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A sign reading, \'Detainees in Vicinity Maintain Silence\', is seen on the security wall around camp V where prisoners are housed in a single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(08 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A soldier stands near the wall around camp V where prisoners are housed in a single cell facility which is part of the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(09 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Prayer beads and a cap hang in a static display setup for visitors in a prison cell at camp 6 where prisoners are housed in the communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(10 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A prisoner\'s belongings are part of a static display setup for visitors in a prison cell at camp 6 where prisoners are housed in the communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(11 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A military officer stands near prison cells in camp 6 where prisoners are housed in a communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(12 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A military officer stands near prison cells in camp 6 where prisoners are housed in a communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(13 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) The recreation area is apart of camp 6 where prisoners are housed in a communal facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(14 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A U.S. Army soldier shows the media a prison cell at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(15 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A U.S. Army soldier shows off the feeding tray on the door of a prison cell at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(16 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A static display shows the belongings of a typical inmate in a prison cell at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(17 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A static display shows the belongings of a typical inmate in a prison cell at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(18 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) A static display shows the belongings of a typical inmate in a prison cell at camp V where prisoners are housed in the single cell facility at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(19 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Military officers stand at the entrance to Camp VI and V at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(20 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) Military officers stand at the entrance to Camp VI and V at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(21 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) The entrance to Camp VI is seen at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay Facility Continues To Serve As Detention Center For War Detainees(22 of22)
GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - JUNE 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been reviewed by the U.S. Military prior to transmission.) The entrance to Camp VI is seen at the U.S. military prison for \'enemy combatants\' on June 25, 2013 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Barack Obama has recently spoken again about closing the prison which has been used to hold prisoners from the invasion of Afghanistan and the war on terror since early 2002. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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