Last booster removed from 564th Missile Squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Members of the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron extracted the final weapon system component from the 564th Missile Squadron July 28 at Tango 41, marking the end of an era in our Nation's defense. 

The 564th MS has been a part of Malmstrom since 1965 and has been a vital contributor to the 341st Missile Wing's nuclear deterrent mission: operating, supporting, maintaining and securing five missile alert facilities and 50 Minuteman III missiles. 

The closing of the 564th MS is a significant part of not only Malmstrom's history, but the history of the entire ICBM world. 

"The removal of the last booster in the 564th marks the closing of a significant period in our wing's history and, really, the history of our Nation's strategic forces," said Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander. "We honor the contributions of the 564th Missile Squadron and remain dedicated to our Wing's role in our Nation's defense. The men and women of the 564th have a distinguished history serving our country and we are proud of the work they have done. They, along with the rest of the 341st Missile Wing, continue to play a major role in National defense every day. No mission in our military is more important to the strategic defense of our country and allies than the mission we do on the plains and in the mountains of Montana every day." 

Malmstrom received formal direction June 29, 2007, from top Air Force leadership to proceed with missile deactivation activities. Fifty Minuteman III WS-133B missiles and five missile alert facilities have been deactivated since. 

"The order to deactivate the 564th Missile Squadron from former Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley was dated 29 June 2007 and the last of the 50 missiles was pulled 28 July," said Master Sgt. William Paul, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron missile handling NCOIC. "So, in just over one year, the most critical portion of this massive maintenance action was completed while the group simultaneously maintained the other three squadrons. It was executed perfectly with zero mishaps and serves to, once again, demonstrate the degree of professionalism brought to the table everyday in this maintenance group." 

The decision to deactivate the missile was made by the Nation's defense leaders and was in accordance with the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review, which stated, "to achieve the characteristics of the future joint force and build upon progress to date, the Department of Defense will reduce the number of deployed Minuteman III ballistic missiles from 500 to 450 beginning in FY07." 

The 50 missiles that were decommissioned were Minuteman III REACT-B (Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting) weapon systems from the 564th MS as it was the only squadron still operating that weapon system configuration. Malmstrom still maintains and operates 150 Minuteman III missiles controlled by REACT-A systems. 

Since the Minuteman III WS133-B variant is similar to the other 450 Minuteman III missiles in many aspects, some missile, and command and control platform components can be reused in the intercontinental ballistic missile program. Some components will be used in the test program, while others will be redistributed throughout the fleet. These items will be identified by Air Force Space Command and the ICBM depot at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Other items will be redistributed using normal Air Force property disposal/reuse methods, including the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office and Air Force museums. 

As for the silos and missile alert facilities, they will be placed in caretaker status. The 341st Civil Engineer Squadron is already the caretaker of three MAFs and nine LFs currently, said Floyd Wanke, 341st CES. 

"Work is being completed to remove equipment on the remaining two MAFs and 41 LFs before they are turned over to the 341st CES," Mr. Wanke said. "After the sites are turned over, additional work will be accomplished. This includes emptying and decommissioning fuel tanks, environmental maintenance and vegetation control. Commercial power will also be disconnected from the sites." 

Caretaker status means the Air Force retains ownership and responsibility for each site. Security fences will be maintained; windows and doors will be boarded, blocked and locked; and sites will be patrolled routinely. 

Once sites are in caretaker status, no plans have been made regarding what will be done with the areas, in accordance with direction from higher headquarters. 

While there are no plans at this time to convert any sites from the 564th MS to museums, the memorabilia and unit colors of the 564th MS will be appropriately packaged and stored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, according to Curt Shannon, Malmstrom Heritage Center director. Key items of the organization's mission, such as the REACT-B trainer are slated to be featured in Malmstrom's Heritage Center.