Major US Nuclear Missile Base Faces Unexpected Threat

Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, one of the most secure and strategically vital military installations in the United States, is under attack – not by foreign forces, but by squirrels. As reported by YouTuber Liberty Doll, Newsweek’s Sophie Clark, and AP News journalist Jack Dura, the base, home to part of the U.S. nuclear triad, is dealing with an invasion of Richardson ground squirrels, also known locally as “dakrats.” What started as a mild nuisance has now escalated into a threat serious enough to demand formal action from base leadership.

Minot’s Nuclear Role Adds Weight to the Crisis

Minot AFB isn’t just any military post. It houses 26 B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons and 150 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), forming a vital piece of America’s land-based nuclear deterrent. As Sophie Clark of Newsweek emphasized, the base just received an $850 million upgrade to modernize and maintain its nuclear capabilities. The idea that burrowing rodents could compromise this infrastructure is no longer a punchline – it’s a legitimate concern for national security.

The Squirrel Swarm Is No Joke

Liberty Doll, in a recent video, described the unfolding situation with a mix of disbelief and alarm. She reported that the infestation has gotten so bad that squirrels are now degrading runways, foundations, and critical infrastructure. According to a 2019 base estimate she cited, there were at least 10,000 squirrels at that time – and with each litter producing up to 14 babies, the number today is likely far higher.

Poison, Traps, and Gas – Nothing Works Anymore

Efforts to control the squirrel population haven’t succeeded. Liberty Doll reported that the base has tried everything from traps and flooding to EPA-approved gases and poisons. Yet these methods are proving ineffective. Federal law also prohibits stronger toxins that could harm the families living on base. “Unfortunately, the old poison methods aren’t working anymore,” she noted. “And the base has exhausted all poison and gas methods that don’t also pose a risk to the base’s human residents and pets.”

The Human Toll Is Mounting

The squirrels aren’t just digging tunnels under runways – they’re moving into people’s homes. Liberty Doll explained how families are falling into sinkholes, getting bitten, and dealing with animal waste inside their houses and garages. On June 23, Minot AFB leadership acknowledged the threat publicly in a Facebook post, urging residents to trap squirrels in their yards and promising a more aggressive plan was coming. Still, Liberty Doll couldn’t help but comment with irony: “We are trusting these men and women to defend our nation… but we cannot trust them with air rifles.”

The City of Minot Isn’t Safe Either

This squirrel siege extends beyond the base. AP News reporter Jack Dura described the city of Minot, population nearly 50,000, as overrun. The squirrels are invading downtown, schools, highways, and even malls. Joshua Herman, a pest control technician quoted by Dura, called the battle “one guy standing against a massive storm.” Herman claims to kill 3,500 to 5,000 squirrels a year but says the problem keeps multiplying. “There’s got to be tens of thousands of them in the area,” he added.

No Predators, No Hope?

One reason the squirrels are winning is that their natural predators, foxes, coyotes, badgers, and hawks, have largely disappeared from the area. Sophie Clark reported that the remote location of Minot AFB, paired with active efforts to remove predators from base housing areas, has left the squirrels to reproduce freely. Even longtime base employees agree the issue has lasted decades. Clark quoted a 2009 engineer, Vicki Johnson, who wrote, “Newcomers… are delighted by the cute little critters… For those who have lived here longer, the delight has faded.”

Schools and Sidewalks Under Siege

Jared Edwards, the facilities director for Minot Public Schools, told AP News that three school properties on the base are also overwhelmed. He said the rodents have been a “continuous battle” for 75 years. They’ve torn up sidewalks, lawns, and driveways, and even created hazards for children. One mother, Pashone Grandson, shared how a squirrel made it into her daughter’s bedroom, rummaging through clothes. “It was a little scary,” she said. “I didn’t know if it was going to bite her.”

The Military’s Three-Part Plan

According to Newsweek, Minot AFB has adopted a new three-pronged approach. First, residents are asked to trap squirrels on their property. Second, more traps will be distributed. Third, a long-term plan will focus on seasonal mitigation to reduce the population. However, that plan lacks clear details. A Facebook update posted July 3 stated that 700 squirrels had been removed in one week, but residents were told to standby as the base ran out of traps.

This Isn’t Just a Critter Problem

Beyond the laughs and absurdity of the situation, this raises real questions about military readiness. Liberty Doll made the sharp point: if a base that controls part of our nuclear arsenal can’t manage a rodent problem, what does that say about broader preparedness? Some commenters on the base’s Facebook page echoed this sentiment, questioning whether America’s defense capabilities are truly as airtight as they should be if squirrels are allowed to sink buildings and bite kids.

Cute Can Still Be Catastrophic

There’s something strange and almost poetic about this whole thing. On the one hand, you’ve got the most powerful weapons on the planet – nukes that could wipe cities off the map. On the other, you’ve got chubby little squirrels who dig holes and multiply. And in the middle of it all, there’s a high-security military base that can’t seem to stop the latter from threatening the former. It’s a reminder that vulnerability doesn’t always come from the obvious places.

The Power of the Small and Overlooked

What fascinates me is how this story flips the script on what people think of as dangerous. It’s not an invading army, a cyberattack, or a drone strike. It’s nature – uncontrolled, underestimated, and relentless. It shows how even the best planning can fall apart if you ignore the small things. Those “adorable” squirrels are now burrowing beneath billion-dollar runways and military housing. That’s not cute anymore. That’s a crack in the armor of preparedness.

Time to Get Serious

All three sources present a consistent message: the problem is real, it’s growing, and it’s not being taken as seriously as it should be. Until stronger methods are found, and possibly until federal laws are reconsidered for unique situations like this, the squirrels of Minot will keep tunneling under the feet of some of America’s most important defenders. A base that guards nuclear missiles shouldn’t have to wait on trap deliveries.

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The article Major US Nuclear Missile Base Faces Unexpected Threat first appeared on Survival World.