Why St. Louis, Missouri Now a Prime Nuclear First Strike Target

When I was in high school in the 1980's, the Cold War was at the height of its tension. I figured living in the middle of the country would make us less likely to be attacked if a worst-case scenario between the US and then Soviet Union happened. How times have changed. Now, St. Louis, Missouri is a prime nuclear first strike target and there are 5 big reasons why.

An interesting question was posed on the Missouri sub-Reddit which was "Where do you think St. Louis ranks amongst American cities for targets during nuclear war?" There were many enlightening answers that were chilling.

Where do you think St. Louis ranks amongst American cities for targets during nuclear war?
by inStLouis

Why would St. Louis be one of the first places attacked by an enemy if a nuclear exchange happened?

Here are the locations in or near St. Louis that would make it a high-priority target:

Scott Air Force Base

Located only 28 minutes to the east of the St. Louis metro area is Scott Air Force Base, one of the most crucial operational bases in America.

St. Louis is a major rail traffic hub

St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West and the still vital railroad traffic is a part of that.

Boeing in St. Louis is a major provider of aircraft and missiles

An enemy would almost certainly go after Missouri places like Whiteman Air Force Base, but crippling one of the major providers of aircraft and the missiles they pack would be a priority.

The Federal National Archives is in St. Louis

Information is vital in a conflict and the elimination of the Federal National Archives in St. Louis would be a factor when an enemy prioritizes where to hit first.

$1.7 Billion Dollar National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St. Louis

While the full move-in of more than 3,100 employees won't happen until 2026, this intelligence headquarters would be something an enemy would want to cut off.

St. Louis is a major focal point of the Mississippi River

There is little doubt that an enemy would want to eliminate major transportation centers and St. Louis is one of the main Mississippi River crossings that would be hit early in a conflict.

Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis

Crippling America's financial system would almost certainly happen in a nuclear attack. The fact that one of America's federal reserve banks is in the city is just an added bonus motivator for an enemy.

This conversation has become a hot topic again thanks to recent threats from Russia and reports that they have lowered the threshold for a nuclear attack. Let's hope this is just saber-rattling and not an event that ever becomes a real life catastrophe.