Nekoma Safeguard Complex
The Nekoma Safeguard Complex is a decommissioned anti-ballistic missile military base located in remote northeastern North Dakota. Built to defend nearby Minuteman ICBM missile silos, the Nekoma Safeguard Complex was the only operational anti-ballistic missile system ever deployed by the United States. The complex was deactivated in 1976 due to its high costs and redundancy against new Soviet weapons. It has been left abandoned since.
Covering an area of 431 acres, the location is best known for its Pyramid missile site radar building and five concrete exhaust towers. The Pyramid is an imposing building constructed in a brutalist style. Its concrete interior is empty. The complex also has four remote site launch sites. Each site includes an access sentry station, remote launch operations building and sprint missile stations. All missiles have been removed from the site. The silos have been filled with concrete and welded shut. Tunnels have been flooded. In addition, the Nekoma Safeguard Complex also has an abandoned chapel, community center, and a 258,000 square-foot office building.
Getting in, Grand Forks is the closest major airport. From there it’s a 115 mile drive to the town of Langdon, which is the closest place to sleep your crew. From Langdon it’s a 14 mile drive south to the complex.
The Nekoma Safeguard Complex is surrounded by lush farmlands with fields of soybeans and sunflowers.
In terms of the best time to film for weather, this part of North Dakota is known for its harsh winters and hot summers, and the occasional tornado.
Permission To Film
A local religious group of Hutterites own the property. Permission to film must be granted from the elders of this Hutterite community.
Despite plans to one day start a Hutterite colony at the location, the Nekoma Safeguard Complex currently remains unused and in disrepair. As such, full health and safety precautions must be taken when entering and filming at this location.
Contact us if you are interested in filming at this location and would like to make contact with the owners of the property or other local community groups.
North Dakota Production Support
There are very few film crew or equipment options anywhere near the Nekoma Safeguard Complex. Contact us if you are looking for local production service support or shooting crew in North Dakota.
