ASSOCIATION OF AIR FORCE MISSILEERS
Fellow Missileers
In just a few days, some of us will gather in Minot for our National meeting to share experiences, get updates on what is happening in the community, and raise a glass to those who have passed. We have a great lineup of speakers including Senator John Hoeven, Maj Gen Colin Conner, the USAFSAM medical team, the Torchlight Initiative, the Sentinel program, and more. We'll do our best to capture the events and share with all of you in our September newsletter.
Many thanks to those of you who participated in our two surveys in July--we received a lot of data on the 2028 Meeting and on Membership. Look for more on both of these topics also in the September newsletter.
Summertime is known for the dreaded PCS moves and of course the traditional change of command. In almost a full sweep, 20 AF, two missile wings and the 377th all saw change of commands. Thanks to former commanders Maj Gen Staci Jo Huser, 20 AF/CC; Col Jimmy Schlabach, 91 MW/CC, Col Dan Voorhies, 341MW/CC and Col Dustin Harmon, 377th TEG for their service and leadership. Welcome to new opportunities for Maj Gen Colin Connor, 20 AF/CC; Col George Chapman, 91 MW/CC; Col David Wyrick, 341 MW; Col Janet DeWeese, 377 TEG and the many squadron commanders tapped to lead.
Driverless Waymo taxicabs use radar and radio waves to track the speed and direction of moving cars and adjust direction of travel. (See: Radar Driving.) The Atlas D ICBM used a hybrid radio‑command and inertial guidance system. Early Atlas D models relied on ground‑based radio guidance.
(See: Atlas D Guidance) Imagine if you will, an Atlas D launching with a 1.44 megaton nuke on top then looking for guidance adjustments from a ground-based radar to get to the target. The Atlas Radio Guidance System controlled the initial flight path of an Atlas D missile and was impressive technology for the 1950's and 60's.
The Atlas D (SM‑65) was the first operational U.S. ICBM. Its guidance system evolved significantly across variants:
Buffer Riding in the WILD WEST: There's an old saying in the SAC community that states, "If it isn't inspected, it becomes neglected". In SAC missiles, inspections were a way of life. Probably the most in-depth of these ICBM inspections was accomplished by the 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Squadron (SMES). SMES personnel came mostly from the missile Wings and were very knowledgeable in the weapon systems.
In 1962, the SAC IG team came at least annually for the ORI, always no notice, concentrating on the Wings ability to go to war. In Titan I Wings Lox loading exercises was accomplished on all 9 Titan I missiles. (See: Lox Loading ) There would be some comments on procedures but no real compliance inspection writeups. SMES came every six months, for personnel performance evaluations. Some were no-notice, but most were scheduled.
The earliest Minuteman ORIs were limited to the "going to war part," and SMES began checking crews in the MPTs, usually 12-14 full Standboard rides. Some over the IG shoulder, and some by SMES. The IG began doing compliance inspections of the back shops in 1967.
According to Charlie Simpson COL (Ret), this was about the time that housekeeping started being part of the inspections. Actual writeups like "breadcrumbs in the butter dish" and "mops and brooms comingled" were appearing in reports. This led to the implementation of CAFI, (Comprehensive Annual Facility Inspection). CAFI inspected missile wing facilities on and off base. In 1978, the IG was doing ORIs, separate compliance visits, and CAFI. Sometimes the CAFI and compliance parts were together. About that time, HAF started the Outstanding Base Appearance awards.
Competition for awards was intense, for example "Best Missile Wing MAF" or Best ICBM squadron. The preparation for CAFI inspections was monumental. If 'it" didn't move, "it" could be painted or buffed. One crew member was observed cleaning stairwell metal strips with a toothbrush in his squadron. When asked why, he replied "I want us to win". Floors were buffed shiny bright, which led to a "sport" called buffer riding or buffer rodeos. So, did all these inspections increase ICBM warfighting capability? Every person who is reading this has an opinion on the answer...but is that old SAC saying still applicable..."If it isn't inspected, it becomes neglected"? Missileers are war fighters and in nuclear deterrence...We too must win!
As always, if you have any thoughts or inputs I can be reached at Director@AFMissileers.org
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
Missileers!
Happy 4th of July and a very special 250th Birthday Celebration of our United States of America.
The Minutemen of Lexington and Concord were ready at a moment’s notice and trained to stand their ground! Their calling was sparked by the vision of a free nation and 250 years later (and no less significant) are Minuteman III missiles and Missileers (Operators, Maintainers, Defenders), standing ready to preserve that same vision…a free nation.
Today, Missileers are armed with the highest standards and best practices, honed through years of operations, maintenance, security and support of Matador, Mace, Snark, Jupiter, Thor, Atlas, Titan and Air-Launched Missile Systems.
Go out and enjoy the parades, fireworks and events of this 250th Birthday Celebration and be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy, preserved by those Missileers on duty this 4th of July…and a special thanks for their families who anticipate their return from duty. God Bless the USA!
Mark Silliman, CMSgt (ret),
President, Association of Air Force Missileers
Fellow Missileers:
Just a reminder that the last day to register for the August National Meeting is Friday, 3 July. We hope you can join us to learn more about the current mission issues, hear more on the Missile Cancer Study, and enjoy the great folks of Minot!
10th Annual Missileer Gathering at the AFA ASC Conference: The General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association is hosting the 10th Annual Missile Gathering at the Gaylord National Resort & Ramp; Convention Center, 201 Waterfront Street, Room - National Harbor 10, National Harbor, MD on 15 Sep 2026 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. So that we can get an accurate head count for food and beverages, we are asking that all attendees, active duty,
Reserve, Guard, retired, veterans, spouses, and friends to please register at this website 10th Annual Missileer Gathering Registration. Also, at the registration website, we are selling specially minted 2026 10th Missileer Gathering Coins as a fund raiser. Attire: Flight Suits, OCPs or business casual.
Combined 308th and 381st SMW Reunion: 25-26 September 2026, Marriott Hotel, 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs, CO. In our first-ever combined 308th and 381st SMWs Reunion. Reception Friday evening, 6:00 PM, Saturday evening Reunion Banquet 5:30.
Celebrate our unique heritage on the 39th and 40th anniversary of our Wing deactivations (we’d love to see 390th SMW folks too and hope to have a reunion of all three wings in the future). For more information and /or registration form, contact Dave Shiller shillerbuckeyes@gmail.com, or Linda Aldrich lsaletters@comcast.net
Titan Missile Complex 374-7 Historical Marker Dedication: Information below. Please respond to Julie Nelson at jnelson@southsidebb.org if you plan to attend.
Cancer Study support: The following was posted this week from the Torchlight Initiative: Action Requested: Please Contact Your U.S. Senators.
The Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the FY27 NDAA does not appear to include language comparable to the House ICBM cancer amendment. As the House and Senate negotiate the final bill, now is the time to ask your Senators to support retaining the House language. The House amendment would require an independent scientific review of the occupational health, safety, and force readiness of the ICBM enterprise. It would:
* Independently review the Missile Community Cancer Study.
* Evaluate occupational and environmental hazards, including PCBs, asbestos, combustion
byproducts, VOCs, radon, and other toxic exposures.
* Conduct an independent cancer study comparing missile community personnel to a similar
low-exposure military population.
* Review DOEHRS, ILER, and other exposure documentation systems.
* Recommend improvements to occupational health protections, medical surveillance, and the Sentinel program.
This is about ensuring current and future missileers, maintainers, security forces, family members and support personnel receive the answers and protections they deserve. Congressional oversight has already led to important progress, including the Missile Community Cancer Study, acknowledgment of PCB hazards, and increased attention to occupational health.
Let’s keep that momentum going. Please take a few minutes to contact your Senators and ask them to support retaining the House ICBM occupational health language during NDAA conference negotiations. Your voice can help protect generations of ICBM personnel to come.
Survey says? Your inputs are appreciated: A poll and a survey are coming your way. The National Meeting poll was released on 25 June via email to members and is asking your response NLT 17 July. The questions address where you want to meet in the future and what we can do better. If you didn’t get the email, you can find the survey at https://www.afmissileers.org/Sys/Poll/73828. The survey which will be released on 17 Jul and close out on 1 August is focused membership—we are at an all-time low in members so we want your insights into what we can do better. We’ll review the results during the general members meeting in Minot on August 8th.
Twentieth Air Force New Mission Video: You want to see what our ICBM troops are doing in the field today? In June, Twentieth Air Force released a "brand-spankin" new four-minute YouTube video that captures the professionalism of our amazing people on alert 365 days a year. All you former missileers should be proud that you were part of this heritage that is the bedrock of our US nuclear forces. Hopefully you will come to see our troops again at Minot AFB in August. Watch this video and be proud: Don't Wimp Out
AFA supports the Air Force Missileer Hall of Fame: The Air & Space Forces’s (AFA) History and Heritage Committee awarded a grant to the Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) for new digital displays of the Air Force Missileer Hall of Fame at selected museums. Check out this story from AFA. Donation
Impact of Tactical Nuclear Mini-Drones on Deterrence: The ICBM fields can be a dangerous place! Not only because of environmental conditions, but security threats have dramatically increased with the introduction of drone warfare. ICBM and SF leadership knows this and has taken action to mitigate the threat. Don’t ask "what action?"... that's like asking for all the plays in a Super Bowl before the game. "Real Clear Defense" writer David Lasseter wrote an interesting short-read, article titled "The Radioactive Brink: Securing the American Warfighter in 2026. Quote from the article:
"We’ve entered a "Second Nuclear Age," defined less by the strategic stalemate of the Cold War and more by the proliferation of low-yield weapons and the terrifying new nuclear threat is less powerful—but far more likely to be deployed— tactical nukes designed to kill on the front lines. The nuclear threat is no longer just about "city-killers" and global apocalypse; it is about the low-yield (aka: tactical) nuclear weapon designed for use on the front lines."
Want to know more? See: Nuclear Drones?
There was a joke during the Cold War era that said the Soviets were unable to make a suitcase nuclear bomb because, that although they had solved the miniaturization problem...they couldn't make the suitcases
As always, your comments and inputs are welcome and appreciated and should be sent to me at Director@AFMissileers.org
Thanks,
Comparison side note: The Israeli Defense Forces set a new record As over 5,000 women recruited for combat roles last year. Female combat soldiers currently serve in a variety of combat units, not just in support roles but at the core of operational defense. Want to know more? See IDF Record
Torchlight Initiative Presentation: Last month, leaders from the Torchlight Initiative presented at the American Occupational Health Conference (AOHC) in Chicago, bringing the story of ICBM-related cancers to the occupational and environmental medicine community. The goal was clear: ensure the missile community is part of the broader military occupational health conversation—alongside communities like special operations forces and pilots—and engage the experts who can help move this forward.
The session, Hidden Hazards Underground: What the ICBM Missileer Community Teaches Us About Occupational Health, framed the missile community as a real-world case study. For decades, service members operated in confined underground facilities with exposures to PCBs, asbestos, radon, diesel exhaust, and cryptographic material burn-off—often with limited monitoring and inconsistent documentation. Today, more than 800 self-reported cancer cases, many diagnosed decades earlier than expected, have raised serious concerns.
At its core, the presentation highlighted several key lessons for occupational health:
A key takeaway is how this issue should be framed going forward. This is not an acute, short-term problem—it is a chronic, long-term occupational health challenge that requires sustained study, understanding, and risk mitigation over time.
We cannot wait for perfect or complete data before acting. In occupational health, credible signals matter—even when they are incomplete. For example, knowing multiple individuals with the same rare cancer diagnosed decades earlier than expected is a data point that should be taken seriously, not set aside because it doesn’t fit neatly into a larger dataset.
Uncertainty in this environment should not slow action—it should accelerate protection.
Just as important, this highlighted a gap in communication that must be addressed. The Air Force must communicate more clearly and consistently with the Airmen it places in these environments. That means listening to their experiences, inviting their input, and taking their exposure concerns seriously. Worker narratives are not noise—they are often the earliest and most important signal.
The missile community’s experience underscores the challenges occupational health professionals face when exposures are unique, records are incomplete, and traditional data systems fall short. It also reinforces the importance of turning worker testimony into credible analysis—and analysis into action.
This session brought together experts across disciplines to examine how to responsibly evaluate incomplete data, communicate uncertainty, and build pathways toward better care, research, and policy. It emphasized that occupational health is not just about proving causation—it’s about recognizing credible signals early and acting to reduce risk.
The lessons extend well beyond the missile fields. They apply to any workforce operating in complex, poorly documented environments. As AOHC highlighted, occupational medicine must listen, synthesize, and act—ensuring that worker experiences are not dismissed, but used to drive prevention, accountability, and long-term care.
Colorado Spring Missile Community Muster: The annual Missile Muster will occur on 9 May 2026 at 1000 at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery at Section 6 near site 193 (Major Mark Holmes’ gravesite) as we have done in past years to recognize our fallen. This muster is for the entire ICBM community—officers, enlisted, operators, maintainers, security forces, support personnel, and families. Afterward, we’ll meet at the Gunslinger Brewing Company (missileer owned) to share a drink and tell stories about the teammates we have lost.
Sentinel Lessons Learned from How Minuteman Was Deployed in the 1950's and 1960's
As Sentinel continues to move forward, some of us have been cogitating on the way ahead to get Sentinel deployed. To get the job done, the AF has introduced the following key program changes:
1. Management Shift: The Army Corps of Engineers will now manage a significant portion of the ground infrastructure construction; moving away from an expensive contractor-led model. This emphasizes the AF decision to dig entirely new silos instead of refurbishing the old LFs. After all the Army Corps of Engineers knows how to "dig big, beautiful holes" better than anybody in the world and dug the holes for Titan and Minuteman.
The Commander of the Site Activation Task Force, Lowry AFB, Colorado, congratulates the general manager of American Machine and Foundry Company's Titan Field Operations Division, on the activation of the first Titan I squadron in April '62.
Missile Trivia Question: Who was the famous missileer who selected the MM base locations? Answer is somewhere in the dispatch.
This management shift may also avoid unpredictable costs and technical risks of introducing advanced technology. This shift was also used by the AF in the 50's and 60's. With a start date of March 16, 1961, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pushed the completion and turned over the first MM LF to the AF on December 15, 1961 for finishing and missile installation.
2. Phased Acquisition: Using a "crawl, walk, run" methodology, the program is prioritizing earlier component testing to identify technical risks before full-scale production.
The “crawl, walk, run” framework is a structured approach to adopting new technologies. It emphasizes starting small with manageable projects before gradually scaling up to more complex and transformative initiatives. This phased strategy allows organizations to build foundational capabilities, learn from early projects, and align their efforts with broader business goals.
3. Earth, Stone, Steel, Concrete and PEOPLE: In the 50's and 60's the Army Corps of Engineers was building and completing three U.S. based ICBM systems... Atlas, Titan and Minuteman. To accomplish this, in August 1960 the Army established the Corps of Engineers Ballistic Missile Construction Office (CEBMCO) to supervise site construction reporting directly to the Chief of Engineers. To further improve coordination between the Corps and the AF, the two services put CEBMCO under the operational control of the AF.
When established CEBMCO had a staff of 27, but within 6 years grew to 3,000 people managing 22 ICBM projects in 17 states. CEBMCO’s responsibilities encompassed the entire construction effort. The Corps of Engineers did not design the launch facilities, it reviewed the plans, solicited and evaluated proposals, and awarded the contracts. CEBMCO then supervised construction, and after the launch facilities were completed, CEBMCOstayed on the job as a member of the Air Force site activation task force, tasked with turning the empty silos into operational LF's and MAF's.
Building the missile launch sites and support facilities was one of the largest military construction projects ever undertaken by the Corps. By 1962 construction costs were already in excess of $2 billion, (@ $23 billion in 2026 dollars) and in the next 5 years CEBMCO spent billions more completing the Minuteman program. By 1961 Army contractors had already moved 26 million cubic yards of earth and stone, used 764,000 tons of steel and poured more than 3 million cubic yards of concrete. Another indication of the size and importance of the program was the labor force devoted to it: in early 1961, more than 21,000 construction workers were laboring around the clock to build ICBM silos. SIDE NOTE: All this was being done from 1959 to 1972 while the Corp of Engineers also played a vital role in the Vietnam war by constructing a massive infrastructure—ports, airfields, and base camps—and providing combat support at the same time!
Want to know more see: Corps of Engineers Built ICBM Silos
What could be ahead in 2026/27 for Sentinel?
- Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). In the summer of 2025, the Air Force began preparing a draft SEIS that addresses design refinements and facility siting updates that have occurred since completion of the March 2023 EIS. Draft documents are expected in 2026.
- Looking ahead: from digital design to concrete reality
Sentinel program momentum will become even more visible in the coming years as digital designs are translated into concrete and steel.
Teams will break ground on a prototype launch silo at Northrop Grumman’s Promontory, Utah, site. This crucial effort will allow engineers to test and refine modern construction techniques, validating the new silo design before work begins in the missile fields.
This summer, prototyping activities at F.E. Warren AFB will validate innovative utility corridor construction methods, which are key to streamlining the installation of thousands of miles of secure infrastructure and fielding the system faster.
Foundational construction on permanent facilities is already well underway. The first of three new Wing Command Centers is taking shape at F.E. Warren AFB, and critical test facilities are being erected at Vandenberg SFB to support the future flight test campaign.
This methodical progress paves the way for the program’s next major operational milestone: the first missile pad launch, planned for 2027.
Famous Missileers: Gen. Sammy Phillips--Director of Minuteman Deployment: Phillips often expressed confidence in the reliability of the fleet, noting that older ICBMs like the Minuteman III "still work with a high degree of reliability" even decades after deployment".
2026 National Meeting – Minot ND 5-9 August 2026
Just a reminder that early bird registration closes out on 3 Jun and final registration for all events is 3 Jul 2026. We have a great group of honorees set for induction into the Air Force Missileers Hall of Fame at the banquet on Saturday night, 8 August. For registration and other information, please see visit our website at www.afmissileers.org Guest speakers include:
- Wednesday welcome reception – Mayor Mark Jantzer
- Thursday dinner – incoming 91 MW/CC Col George Chapman
- Friday dinner – incoming 20 AF/CC Major General Colin Connor
- Saturday AAFM Meeting – Col Richard Speakman, USAFSAMS/CC, Col Erich Schroeder, AFGSC/SG, Alex Ruiz, Torchlight Initiative, and Steve Kravitsky, Sentinel Program
- Hall of Fame banquet – US Senator John Hoeven (invited)
485 TMW reunion: I received a couple of requests for information on the June 2026 reunion in Tucson—our website site has information on the hotel but nothing on the reunion registration. Sadly, I can’t find the email with who asked me to post this information. If you are the reunion POC, please contact me at Director@AFMissilers.org
Titan II reunion: The 308th and 381st Strategic Missile Wings will be holding a combined reunion recognizing the 39 and 40 years since their wing deactivations. The event will be held at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel, 25-26 Sept 2026. Please indicate your intent to attend NLT 15 March to your wing POCs: 308th : Linda Aldrich, lsaletters@comcast.net or Jeff Allen, jeffallen2017@yahoo.com and 381st: 381smwreunion@gmail.com
Titan II reunion Part Deux: The 390 SMW will hold a reunion in Tucson, AZ October 21-24 2026. For information, go to www.390smw.org or email reunion@390smw.org
455th/91st Maintenance Reunion: The 91st Missile Maintenance reunion will be held 6-8 August 2026 in Minot, ND. For more details, contact Chuck Emery at cemery@srt.com
ILER Rollout — Progress Driven by the ICBM Community, but Gaps Remain
The Military Health System has launched the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER), a web-based system designed to link service members and veterans to occupational and environmental exposures and improve health care, claims decisions, and long-term outcomes.
ILER has been in development since 2013 under DoD/DoW and White House direction to better track deployment and occupational exposures. It consolidates data from multiple systems, connects individuals to exposure events, and provides clinicians, claims adjudicators, and policymakers with actionable information on exposure-related conditions.
It currently includes over 1.5 million exposure-related records and is designed to:
• Support clinical care and preventive health
• Inform VA claims and benefits decisions
• Enable research, cohort analysis, and policy development
• Reduce the burden on veterans to prove exposure
Initial access is now available for current service members, with veterans expected to follow.
Why now: While ILER has existed as a requirement for over a decade, its urgency and rollout were accelerated by the ICBM community and the growing number of cancer cases and losses that could no longer be ignored. The Torchlight Initiative and advocacy from groups like AAFM helped accelerate expanding ILER to address concerns over exposures to those who serve the nuclear deterrence mission.
What it shows: ILER links missile community service (including Launch Control Centers) to documented exposure data.
Important clarification: ILER does not publish a single “list” of hazards. Exposures appear within individual records based on available data.
Those records are already reflecting known LCC hazards such as:
• PCBs, VOCs, and industrial solvents
• Diesel fuel and combustion byproducts
• Benzene, formaldehyde, and other carcinogens
• Radon, particulates, and heavy metals
The challenges: ILER is only as good as the data entered.
For decades, these hazards were not consistently documented in systems like DOEHRS. That failure is likely a contributing factor to where we are today:
• Delayed diagnoses
• Poor risk communication
• Barriers to VA care, service connection to ailments/conditions and benefits
• Continued exposure risk due to incomplete awareness of hazards
ILER is not a complete/consistent record. Missile community members should expect gaps, inconsistencies, and missing exposures. If it wasn’t documented, it won’t appear. Individuals must review and correct their records, but ILER is a welcomed start to correcting the issues we have been communicating over the last 5 years.
What to do now:
• Access and review your ILER
• Expect gaps and fix them
• Add missing exposures and locations
• Continue supporting independent data efforts
What about Maintainers, Defenders, Chefs, Other Career Fields and ICBM Facilities?
Torchlight Initiative and AAFM will continue to advocate for expansion of hazards encountered at LFs, on-base facilities, back shops and training locations for all career fields serving the ICBM mission.
Bottom line: ILER is real progress—and has the potential to change care, research, and accountability for the current active-duty force. It does not account for decades of missing documentation on its own.
ILER Factsheet.pdf
Missile Cancer Study Update:
The announcement this week by the Air Force regarding the launching of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER), a web-based system designed to link service members and veterans to occupational and environmental exposures only applies to Active-Duty personnel at this time. It may take another year or more before Veterans have access. My apologies to the Veteran's who tried to gain access.
During a virtual town hall on March 27 at Barksdale AFB, the ongoing Missile Community Cancer Study reported an increased incidence of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma among missile community members. Neither cancer is typically associated with adult occupational exposures. After completing initial analysis of the epidemiology review, the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine team identified an elevated incidence of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma in the missile community when compared to the Air Force’s non-missile community.
Separately, Phase 2 study data also revealed a statistically significant higher incidence of melanoma in the missile community when compared to the U.S. population. However, the epidemiology community generally has not identified **non-UV occupational exposure as a significant contributor to melanoma.
** Non-ionizing, non-UV occupational exposure includes hazardous radiation such as infrared (IR), visible light, magnetic fields, and radio frequency (RF) radiation.
For a complete summary of the Town Hall See: Missile Community Cancer Study
Just a reminder that early bird registration closes out on 3 Jun and final registration for all events is 3 Jul 2026. We have a great group of honorees set for induction into the Air Force Missileers Hall of Fame at the banquet on Saturday night, 8 August. For registration and other information, please see visit our website at www.afmissileers.org
What’s Up at Kirtland AFB:
Ever wonder where our Huey ICBM field helicopter pilots are trained? Despite the fact that the Grey Wolf helicopter is scheduled to come into the force at all our ICBM wings, they won't be there overnight. Those great old reliable Hueys will still be needed.
The 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) trains crews on the UH-1N Huey at Kirtland Air Force Base. Our security forces require expert helicopter aircrews to be able to defend our nuclear and missile facilities and ensure the success of our nuclear deterrence mission. Helo pilots are an integral part of the security tactics required to protect nuclear convoys or retake launch facilities (LF's). Questions like: where to land safely so security forces can egress from the helo without taking casualties need to be trained? Each LF is a different topography and a different challenge!
This challenge increases when Sentinel starts being deployed...convoy activity will increase to bring back MM III critical resources and to deploy Sentinel resources. Cogitate on it for a minute...additional helicopter pilots will need to be trained and support equipment requirements for security forces and maintenance dispatches increased. It’s not going to be easy, but Sentinel will be deployed and our adversaries know this!
Want to know more? See “Building Aircrew for the Nation’s Nuclear Shield”
National Security Snapshot:
In case you have not seen it, the GAO released another "Snapshot" of their findings on Sentinel. The program’s first flight of the Sentinel missile has slipped about 4 years from original estimates and is now planned to occur in March 2028. An ongoing restructuring of the Sentinel program is expected to culminate in a new Milestone B decision by mid-2027. Despite the GAO snapshot the Program Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. William Rogers, has stated he has “every intention” of having Sentinel fully operational before 2050.
Want to know more? See GAO Snapshot
What’s up at the 91st MW: AF Leaders visited Minot AFB to advance Sentinel Modernization.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Dale R. White, Department of War direct reporting portfolio manager for critical major weapon systems, meets with 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron defenders at Minot Air Force Base. During the visit, Gen. White met with Airmen and leaders across the installation to better understand operational considerations, infrastructure requirements, and the phased approach to transition.
Want to know more? See: Dept. of War Minot Visit
Building new missiles can be frustrating: According to Northrup-Grumman, the entire Sentinel missile is gaining a successful test record...However, other nuclear powers are not doing as well. For example, Pakistan is developing a new MIRV capable missile called the Ababeel which started in 2017. According to a recent report by Indian Defence News and Indian Defence Research Wing, "the Pakistan’s MIRV dreams crashed again as the Ababeel missile test ended in fiery failure."
Want to know more? See Pakistan MIRV
What’s up at the 90th MW: 90th Missile Wing Weather Warriors! From tracking storms, tornados, or predicting weather patterns, this team plays a vital role in mission readiness. At the 90th Operational Support Squadron Weather Flight Airmen are responsible for detailing weather flight operations at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. See: Weather Flight If the weather is bad or won't support dispatch requirements then maintenance may not happen. Weather Flight Airmen support the nuclear mission, ensuring the U.S.’s military posture is always ready, safe and lethal. For example, on March 12–13, 2026, a major windstorm produced record-setting gusts of 109 mph at a sensor located 7.5 miles south of Chugwater WY along Interstate 25. Cheyenne Airport recorded 12-hour peak wind of 98MPH. Not a good day for an M-Van dispatch.
Want to know more? See: Cheyenne Wind storm
What’s up at the 341st MW:
Winner Winner Missile Field Dinner: (Reservations not required.) The Air Force Services Center has announced the winners of the 70th annual John L. Hennessy Awards, recognizing the best dining facility operations in the Department of the Air Force. The Best Missile Feeding Operation is the 341st Force Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Montana. The winners will be formally recognized on May 15 at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago during the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's annual trade show.
Yes...Missileers still conduct a continuity of operations (COOP). U.S. Air Force nuclear and missile operations officers assigned to the 10th Missile Squadron exercise in a launch control center at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The COOP created by the 10th MS, First Aces allows the 341st Missile Wing’s mission to continue in the wake of reduced or removed day-to-day resources.
What’s really cool about this picture is the old and the new...Huey and Grey Wolf together!
ICBM History T-shirts are back in stock: As shown in this picture, the back of the blue t-shirt outlines the history of the Air Force ICBM mission and comes in sizes from S to 2XL. They are available on our website store for $25 each.
Board of Directors Election: Congratulations to our board members Mark Silliman, Don Alston, Monte Watts, and Anita Feugate Opperman for their unanimous reelection to the AAFM Board of Directors.
Have you registered for Minot? We are just six months away from the start of the 2026 AAFM National Meeting at Minot ND where we will honor the second group of inductees into the Air Force Missileer Hall of Fame. There will be activities around Minot including the International Peace Gardens, wine tasting and more in addition to spending the day with the Rough Riders at the 91st Missile Wing. Saturday will be full of informational activities concluding with a keynote speaker at the Hall of Fame banquet on 8 August. Check out our website for the details--you can make changes to your registration on line up until 3 July without penalty.
AAFM 2026 National Meeting: With the recent announcement of the 2026 Air Force Missileers Hall of Fame, this is a reminder to register for our National Meeting held this year in Minot ND 5-9 Aug and meet these great inductees—it’s an amazing class! More information on the meeting and the Hall of Fame banquet can be found at our web site at www.afmissileers.org
Music Groups: We have talked a lot about The Groobers, the quartet of crew members at F. E. Warren who performed songs with missile related lyrics and are featured not only in our book on Minuteman art but were recently inducted into the Air Force Missileer Hall of Fame. What we haven’t told are the stories of the other groups that were formed over the years including the Warble Tones, the Crit-ers, and Ground Zero who performed at our National meeting in Omaha in 2016. If you were a member of one of these groups or even know who was in the group, please contact Monte Watts mwatts@afmissileers.org to help us fill in the blanks!
Sentinel program progress: According to an article in the Air and Space Forces Magazine on Feb 17th, the Sentinel program restructure now calls for its first test launch in 2027 and initial operational capability by the early 2030s. You can read more at: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/sentinel-icbm-to-have-first-launch-in-2027-go-operational-by-early-2030s/
Silent Sentinel Book Sales: We have sold almost two thirds of the printed books with no plans to do a reprint. So, if you are interested in getting a copy for yourself or for your local library or ROTC detachment, now is the time! Also, if you are part of a unit booster club and want to help sell the book as a money maker, we have a great incentive program available—just contact me at Director@AFMissileers.org
Attention Whiteman Ops Alumni: Joe Sapere is seeking contact information for his former crew commander in the 1990s, McCord “Cord” Harris. If you have information on Cord or would like to reconnect with Joe, he can be reached at jsapere@gmail.com
Titan II reunion Part Deux: the 390 SMW will hold a reunion in Tucson, AZ October 21-24 2026. For information, go to www.390smw.org or email reunion@390smw.org
Grey Wolf Comparison:
The USAF missile fields are gaining a new helicopter to support ICBM requirements! To show how good the Grey Wolf is, we compared it to other military helicopter platforms in use around the world. Some source information for this comparison came from SLASHGEAR , but the majority is based upon an in-depth research on existing helicopter capabilities.
Comparing helicopter platforms is very difficult as different metrics were used to test and measure speed and range. There is very little public information to access on how the different helicopters were tested and how they were configured for the testing. For example, in 1975 a specially modified Russian Mi-24 Hind set a new world speed record of 228.9 mph. This record was broken in 1986 by a British Westland Lynx.
Based on Speed/Range:
MH-139 Grey Wolf: According to Boeing, the cruising speed is approximately 168 mph and max speed 192–193 mph with a range is 472 miles. See: Grey Wolf specifications
AW159 Wildcat: A British Royal Navy helicopter that can reach a maximum speed of 193 mph with a statute range of 265 miles with a full fuel load.
Mi-35M Hind E: A Russian helicopter can reach a maximum speed of about 190 mph with a statute range of over 279–286 statute mileswith a full fuel load.
CH-47F Chinook: A Boeing helicopter that can reach a top speed of 195.7 mph and can carry 1,080 gallons of fuel to power its two engines. A fully loaded CH-47 Chinook has a standard combat radius of approximately 200–400 miles depending on the variant and load. With auxiliary fuel tanks, the range can be extended up to 1,200 miles. The Chinook is designed for heavy-lift, long-range missions, and excels in varied environments, but was not specifically suited for ICBM security operations. The most recent upgrade was Block 2 in 2020.
Mi-24 Hind: : This Russian helicopter can reach a maximum speed of about 190 mph with a range of over 279–286 statute miles with a full fuel load.
Westland Lynx: A British helicopter that can reach a maximum speed of 184–201 mph with an operational range of 285 to 330 statute miles with a full fuel load.
UH-1N Iroquois: Although not the fastest...this aging "workhorse" helicopter was included so you can compare what some of the helicopter force is flying now. Max Speed: 149 mph. Range: @300 miles
Conclusion: The US Air Force selected the right helicopter for current and future support of our ICBMs. With Sentinel coming into the force, the security of our ICBMs will require the best as we move forward. The Grey Wolf has the technology, range, speed and capability for the future. It is the best!
AB02 Task Code: Many of you older operators may remember an MPT error task code AB02, called status monitoring. This "catch all" error could be "awarded" for missing a critical piece of information during an MPT evaluation like an OZ or IZ security alarm. By the way task codes no longer exist for MPT rides.
In light of this, below is a picture of the cockpit that Grey Wolf pilots have to ABO2 status monitor. You gotta be a great pilot to fly the Grey Wolf.
Just in Case You Didn't Know:
Sentinel is designed with the technical capability to be MIRVed (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles). While the current plan is to field the Sentinel with a single warhead, its design and increased "throw weight" allow it to carry multiple warheads or penetration aids if future security environments require it. The missile's modular design allows for flexibility in payload, including the potential to carry two or three warheads per missile.
Why Not Make Sentinel Road Mobile? The Answers Need to be Reimagined.
Some of our members may have been part of the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison and Small mobile ICBM ( XMGM-134A) program in the 1980's and 1990's. These two weapons systems were moving forward at a positive rate. In fact, some MM crew members were selected for the initial Peacekeeper Rail Garrison cadre. Then in 1991...the Cold War ended.
Recently, this question about Sentinel was discussed in a very enlightening review in a You-tube video. Some of you may say, "Naah...Sentinel's too long to be road mobile". However, before you click away...keep an open mind and watch this 32-minute NUCLECAST video. Three pretty smart individuals, that you may recognize, present some valid points on why the Air Force should "Forge Ahead with Sentinel But Consider Making it Mobile" . SEE: Sentinel NUCLECAST Video .
There was so much information this month that we are sending out a second dispatch with topics ranging from wing visits to technical histories to some updated missile music.
90th Missile Wing: Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink (center) visited the 90th Missile Wing on January 21, 2026 including a stop at missile launch facility and A01 near Albin, Wyoming. During the tour, Meink observed how Airmen protect, maintain and operate a ready and secure deterrent force while adapting legacy systems to support future modernization. The SECAF traveled to the missile field and back aboard both the UH-1N from the 90 MW and the MH-139 Grey Wolf on loan from the Malmstrom AFB. The visit underscored the importance of modernizing support platforms and infrastructure to ensure continued mission effectiveness during the transition to Sentinel.
Want to know more? See: SECAF Visit
341st Missile Wing: U.S. Air Force Lt Gen David Tabor, Air Force director of plans and programs (AF/A8) toured Malmstrom AFB in January. Lt Gen Tabor assessed the sustainment of the Minuteman III at the launch facility to ensure immediate mission readiness while evaluating the modernization benefits and infrastructure required for the integration of the Sentinel weapon system.
Historic Minot AFB Video Discovered: The Lackland AFB Historian posted this video from basic training. If you wore the BDU Camo uniform in the '70–'90-time frame this may make you smile...enjoy. SEE: Minot AFB Publicity
Atlas Missile History: AAFM member and former Atlas D maintenance team member at the 389 SMW, F. E. Warren AFB, Jim Widlar was interviewed recently about his experiences as a Cold War veteran. One of the founding members of AAFM, Jim has spent quite a few years educating the public on the role of the Atlas missile and his time supporting the system in the early 1960’s You can listen to his interview here: https://youtu.be/Sg8XxVgI2J0?si=AxZJqAAdP47vOml8
Technical histories:
In May 2026, the Air Force Historical Foundation presented its Journal Article Award to Dr. David K Stumpf for his “Old School” technical research highlighting his work on the evolution of the USAF Missile program including works on the Navy’s Regulus I and II cruise missiles and the Air Force Titan II and Minuteman. Later in the year, the Foundation released a special edition (Special 2025 – Volume 72, Number 5) dedicated to David’s many articles published in the Journal including the six published in this edition. David keeps on saying this is his “last publication” but only time will tell if that is true.
Check out the publication which includes 100 pages of David’s work
at https://afhistory.org/the-journal-of-the-air-force-historical-foundation-special-edition/
Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0G5M5FBQ6?ref=dm_sh_oX3Q4GBJT0lVHCZAcp9F3DrbZ
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CD8U2FzL50f9ELSMlTduN?si=EuxnZjaqRA-RY-owW0rswQ
YouTube - https://youtube.com/@masteralarmreset?si=qGPuHBTWbmzyHgoE
You can also find their music on Pandora by searching for “Master Alarm Reset”. All streaming royalties, purchases and planned future merchandise sales profits are being donated to The Torchlight Initiative to educate, inform, and advocate for Missileers affected by service-connected cancers. Be on the lookout for the full story in the next AAFM newsletter.
And Now for Something Entirely Different:
Air Force updates fitness test requirements. “We care about the long-term health of our Airmen and that starts with physical fitness,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “The habits Airmen build, by working out daily directly impact their quality of life in and out of uniform. I am confident our commanders will continue to implement a culture of fitness, so our warfighters are healthy and ready."
The components of the updated bi-annual PFA offer Airmen a choice between traditional and alternative exercises:
Cardiovascular: 2-mile run or 20-meter HAMR.
Strength: One minute of push-ups or two minutes of hand-release push-ups.
Core: One minute of sit-ups, two minutes of cross-leg reverse crunches, or a timed forearm plank.
Body Composition: Waist-to-Height Ratio measurement.
Per the Secretary of War’s guidance, PFA scores will be included in officer and enlisted performance briefs beginning in February 2026. The first groups to be affected by this change will be colonels in February 2026, then lieutenant colonels, majors, and chief master sergeants in May 2026. Senior airman EPBs closing out in in March 2026 will not include PFA scores. Let’s hope that our MAF's and on-base athletic facilities are updated to support the new requirements.
Want to know more? See: New PFA
Finally, if you are having trouble voting in the Board of Directors poll, you can always fill out the attached ballot and return it to me at Director@AFMissileers.org Ballot
Mailing address:
Contact
The Association of Air Force Missileers
is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
