Wing proceeds with missile deactivation

  • Published
  • By 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Space Wing received formal direction June 29 from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley to proceed with missile deactivation activities. Fifty Minuteman III WS-133B missiles and five missile alert facilities in northcentral Montana, operated by the 564th Missile Squadron here, will be deactivated. 

The decision to deactivate 50 missiles was made by the nation's defense leaders and is 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." 

Malmstrom currently operates, maintains, secures and supports two types of Minuteman III Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting (REACT) weapons systems: REACT-A and REACT-B systems. The wing will deactivate the 564th Missile Squadron's Minuteman III REACT-B command and control systems; the 564th MS is the only squadron currently operating this weapon system configuration. 

"Over the next 12 months, these activities will include the removal of missiles and missile components from the 50 launch facilities as well as the removal of system components from the five missile alert facilities and underground launch control centers," said Col. Sandy Finan, 341st Space Wing commander. "Deactivation activities require the continuing presence of security, operations and maintenance personnel at the sites and throughout the squadron area, which spans Pondera, Toole, Teton and Choteau counties." 

The first missile to be pulled out of the ground as a result of this order to deactivate is scheduled to take place next week. Plans are to pull one missile a week for the remainder of the year during phase one of the deactivation, according to Colonel Finan. When this is completed, there will be a formal inactivation ceremony of the squadron sometime in 2008. She said phase two would take approximately another 12 months and the timeline for phase three is not known at this time. 

Most components removed will return to the weapon system's flight test and operations programs, extending the system's viable service life beyond 2018, Colonel Finan explained. 

"The men and women of the 564th Missile Squadron have a distinguished history serving our country and I am proud of the work they have done to defend our great nation and accomplish our strategic deterrent mission," Colonel Finan said. "I am confident they will complete the deactivation activities safely and with their usual professionalism and dedication." 

Along with the order to deactivate come personnel concerns for the men and women of the 341st SW. 

"It is important to keep in mind that positions and personnel are different," Colonel Finan said. "We are very attuned to the needs of our personnel as their positions begin to be eliminated and are working hard to ensure all affected personnel understand what is happening and are treated fairly." 

"A change in duty station through normal Air Force transfer methods, retraining into other skill sets locally or through other Air Force training programs, or reassignment to related jobs locally are all possibilities," the commander said. "A position removal does not necessarily equate to personnel losing their employment with the Air Force." 

The 341st Space Wing will continue to operate, maintain, secure and support the wing's remaining 150 Minuteman III ICBMs.