Dictionary

missileer en · NOUN

Etymology

From missile + -eer.

Meanings

1. One who launches missiles.
   • Scientists at the Center are quick to point out that in launching of missiles, the missileer must be right July 1956, Naval Aviation News page 5
2. One who designs or works with missiles.
   • Two missileers rush to the console; strap into their seats; notice their hearts are racing but choose to ignore that; whip out classified codebooks; chip away at a decryption to confirm the command; think of loved ones above off to school or home from work; steady frantic fingers; wake silos from their sleep; place a left hand on a switch and a right hand on a key (if the commander); place two hands on two separate switches (if the deputy); focus on the mission, the mission, the mission; and should one missileer object, two other crews, miles from here, will step in and authorize the launch. 2025 February 14, Sarah Matusek, Alfredo Sosa, “Deep underground, missileers watch over America’s nuclear weapons”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
   • Launch officers, or missileers, entrusted with the keys to the missiles did poorly and, on their own, would have flunked, the records show. 13 March 2014, US air force documents reveal 'rot' in culture of nuclear weapons officers, The Guardian

Forms

Synonyms

missileman