Driver Stunned by 18-Wheeler Convoy Flanked by Trucks and Helicopters on Highway

A driver was stunned as they passed an 18-wheeler convoy flanked by trucks and even helicopters, as they drove down a highway.

A video of the incident has since gone viral after being uploaded to TikTok, and later shared across Reddit, showing the prominent military presence on the I-15.

AJM shared a clip to their TikTok account, @ajmcwr, where they captioned the video: "Wonder what this load is! Any thoughts?"

The clip shows a convoy of police cars and military vehicles, some which had signs saying "convoy ahead," escorting an 18-wheeler truck, which has symbols for "explosives" on the back.

"Anyone know what's inside this 18-wheeler that needs so much protection?" AJM asked, adding: "Notice it says explosive."

In a follow-up video, AJM also managed to capture a glimpse of a helicopter following the convoy, adding: "There was 3 didn't get a good video of it though."

The original clip, shared on Monday, amassed 4 million views and can be seen here, while the follow-up was seen more than 500,000 times.

According to the road signs in the video, the convoy was traveling along the I-15, in Montana. It's not clear if the driver or a passenger was filming.

Due to the location and security surrounding the truck, it was theorized it came from a nearby military base.

Malmstrom Air Force Base, located near Great Falls, confirmed to Newsweek it was "very likely" the convoy was from the base.

A spokesperson said: "We typically run convoys several times per month for routine maintenance of the Minuteman III.

"The 18-wheeler is a payload transporter, and is designed to carry components of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)."

Some Redditors guessed the convoy was linked to weapons, as Chad Tilus theorized: "Nuclear weapons transport. But as you were allowed to pass, most likely returning empty (or heading out empty to pick one up)."

Mysterious.creature1 simply wrote: "Nuclear weapons."

Bret Cunningham768 thought: "It's empty, just distracting you from the real one."

YoursTrulyTrashPanda commented: "That's crazy. That truck either has or is going to get a weapon of mass destruction."

Bryant Francis said: "Has to be something to do with nuclear weapons, it [is] rare to see in the daytime transporting to a missile silo, there are many silos out there."

SrAmn_Snuffy wrote: "Most likely a nuke. Most other things would be flown, or you'd see what's on the trailer (like a tank)."

While Car Vibezz added: "That's a nuclear powered weapon."

The Reddit post, shared to the site's Interesting As F*** forum on Wednesday, has been upvoted more than 13,000 times.

At Malmstrom, the 341st missile wing "currently operates, maintains and secures Minuteman III missiles, providing strategic deterrence for the nation as the wing has continuously done since 1962—remaining America's 'Ace in the Hole,'" according to their website.

Malmstrom is one of three U.S. Air Force Bases currently housing Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).

Explaining their disbursement, the Air Force website said: "The current ICBM force consists of 400 Minuteman III missiles located at the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D."

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) expanded on the U.S. defense system, explaining: "The Minuteman III is the sole land-based component of the U.S. nuclear triad."

The remaining two components of the triad—namely land, sea and air deterrents—are submarine-launched ballistic missiles and nuclear bombers, consisting of numerous B-52H Stratofortress' and B-2A Spirits.

CSIS explained: "With the removal of the LGM-118 Peacekeeper missile in 2005, the Minuteman III has become the only U.S. land-based ICBM in service. The United States is expected to rely on it through the 2030s."

After that time, the Minuteman III's are earmarked to be replaced by the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, they added.

Newsweek has reached out to AJM for comment.