ASSOCIATION OF AIR FORCE MISSILEERS
Fellow Missileers:
Happy New Year -- I hope each of you had a safe and joyful holiday. In between life events, holiday planning, and gift wrapping, our newsletter team put together another great product that I hope you all enjoy. From our National meeting and the Hall of Fame ceremony to updates on the book and more missile trivia, this edition is chock full of current and past missile events. If you get a paper copy of the newsletter you will notice a change this month—with a new printing company we have elected to send the newsletter in an envelope rather than putting the address on the back page. Here is the link to your electronic copy of the January 2025 newsletter! Christmas cheers: As part of the 23 December 2024 Christmas poem dispatch, I remarked that Old Timers would smile at some of the references and younger crew members might question some references such as the SACCS spoons and crew members with guns. The best response I received was: “….and the real Old Timers want to know why in the hell do they have a TV in the LCC?” Of course, that makes me wonder if I should I tell him that they actually have access to the “world wide web” in the LCC? Cancer Study: Kim McAlister wrote regarding Mike Poppert’s passing: “Richard and I knew Mike and his wife-he was a good man. As a retired nurse, I suggest that every missileer that could have been impacted should discuss this risk with their primary care providers so they can determine appropriate assessment and testing. This is such a tragedy and was preventable. This hurts my heart.” PES Seals: Before they LCCs had TDIs there PES seals and before that, there was no authorized sleeping in the capsule! Jim Sorenson recently donated a batch of PES seals to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (which includes D01) to be placed on the applicable drawers and add to the LCC authenticity. However, what is missing is the little blue flashlight used to examine the seals for tampering. If you have a PES device you are willing to donate to the museum, please let me know.
And now for a little Heritage and Humor:
TOP HAND...Missileer Heritage... "Chief CaCa” A tradition that started in the ‘70s at Minot AFB with a tissue box? A missileer, for some strange reason gathered up fresh horse caca and individually wrapped each horse apple in plastic wrap then put it in a tissue box. At first, he put it in his freezer, over the protests of his loving wife. She gently removed it and put it on the back porch. The box stayed there over the winter and the horse caca became sort of “freeze-dried”.
That freeze-dried caca tissue box was presented to the next officer when the original caca collector was selected for TOPHAND. At the going away party, the caca collector stated the officer who was being awarded this “gift” was selected because he had never seen anybody take as much “crap” all the time from others. The first recipient did not throw away such a valuable “gift” but instead took it home and put it in his freezer. He told his wife he had a plan for that box of freeze-dried caca. As it turned out, the first recipient of the freeze-dried caca tissue box was also selected for TOPHAND. The officer took it with him in his car as the movers would not pack it in his house-hold goods. As his tour at TOPHAND progressed, he saw many opportunities for the next recipient of the caca tissue box which he named the “CHIEF CACA AWARD” Some examples are below:
During a launch countdown, the Countdown Control Officer (CCO) heard a person talking on the countdown net. The CCO responded; “this is a dedicated net, “GIT” off the net...with emphasis on the “GIT”. The person talking on the net responded with “who is this? The CCO loudly responded “GIT off this net”. Turned out the two star commander of the First Strategic Aerospace Division was trying to reach the Launch Director (LD). After the launch, the two-star directed the CCO to report to him the next day. After a brief lesson on phone etiquette, he coined him for doing the right thing. Still, he took a lot of caca for it during his TOP HAND tour and was a recipient of the Award. One tradition was the countdown team would drive out to the launch console center on Globe Rd. about 35 minutes away. On the road was a series of right turns with white directional bumps. The team called them “fart bumps”. If the van driver, usually the newest TOP HANDer, drove over them too fast, the entire team would be tossed around in the back. Every time the driver drove over the “fart bumps” too fast, the launch would have problems or be canceled. It was believed the van driver would “jinx” the launch if they drove over them at high speed. If the launch was canceled, the driver was liable for the first round at the club. Deer are a driving hazard at Vandenberg. Prior to one launch, the driver was going very slow (@15-20 mph). The LD, anxious to get to his launch console on time, announced that if the driver hit a deer, he wouldn’t kill it, but the van just might “rub it to death”. The driver sped up to a breathtaking 25 mph but never went over the fart bumps too fast. One Launch Director showed up to a launch and when he took off his jacket, the CCO noticed he didn’t have on his uniform belt. The CCO announced to the other console operators that after the launch the LD was going to take the team to the club “for a belt”. Which he did. One LD had his Glory Trip launch delayed several times due to missile or ground equipment problems. The other countdown team members in his office saw that he was becoming a” little frustrated” over the multiple delays. One morning the LD found a note on his desk that said, “Job Control called and said his missile had to have a rudder retrofit installed on the missile”. He slammed the note down, stood up and said loudly, “Dammit another delay, does anybody know anything about what a rudder retrofit is”? The person who put the note on his desk, answered, “Yeah, it’s so you can sail your missile down range...you know...like a boat” The LD calmly sat down and responded, “this is not funny”, but chuckled about it anyway. Eventually the first recipient of the caca filled tissue box was reassigned from TOP HAND. He took the caca filled tissue box out of his freezer and saw the box was falling apart. He built the current wooden box, carefully transferred the plastic wrapped freeze-dried horse apples then sealed the box. Finally, he secured a brass horse and plate to the lid. As another recipient was awarded this “gift” they were required to inscribe their name on the plates, then award it to the next recipient. Over the years the reasons for receiving the Chief CaCa Award may have changed. However, it has been part of TOP HAND and missileer heritage for over 45 years. TOP HAND officers are professionals trained to test the Minuteman force and ensure it is ready to accomplish its deterrence mission. This group of professionals have kept the spirit and intent of the Chief CaCa Award passing it on for future TOP HAND missileers.
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
Last week we lost another missileer to cancer, Major (ret) Mike Poppert who served at both Warren and Malmstrom.Mike's career included Peacekeeper crew, Malmstrom staff, USSTRATCOM, and the ICBM Program Office! Mike’s son, Capt Ryan Poppert (pictured here with Mike) is encouraging Mike’s friends to post some message on his tribute wall at: https://www.woodlawnfhcc.com/obituaries/Michael-Poppert?obId=33740531
Last month at our National Meeting the Missile Cancer Study was front and center in the topics we discussed. We were fortunate to hear from the Air Force and the Torchlight Initiative. Col Greg Coleman, AFGSC/SG and Col Rik Speakman, Commander of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine presented an update on where the study stands. (click here for their slides). Danny Sebeck spoke on behalf of the work being conducted by the Torchlight Initiative (click here for his slides). We are working on getting a video of both presentations posted soon.
The key points that I took away from the Air Force presentation are: 1) The Air Force is working hard to ensure personnel that dispatch to the field do so in a safe environment. 2) The Air Force will continue testing and cleaning as long as they believe this is an issue. 3) Unsafe practices such as burning in the tunnel junction have been halted. 4) The Air Force has yet to make an official link between the missile field and higher than normal rates of cancer within the ICBM community. 5) The Air Force study is hindered by lack of accurate health reporting prior to 2001.
At the same time, I learned from the Torchlight Initiative that we have a lot of work to do to ensure our fellow missileers impacted get the attention and care they deserve. It appears that getting the care you need depends on which VA you go to and that isn’t the way it should be. In a 2001 USAF study, only eleven cancer cases were identified over a five-year period. The Torchlight Initiative has identified over 560 cancer cases in less than two years! It’s up to each of us to self-report—get your primary care provider to identify your medical issues and where appropriate tie them to items like PCB exposure. Torchlight believes we need to take bold actions together to learn from our mistakes, learn lessons, and provide our force with the tools it needs to fight. Please refer to the documentation provided at www.TorchlightInitiative.org.
My main takeaway is that USAFSAM is focused on the current environment, while Torchlight is looking at the historical footprint of illnesses and environmental hazards in the ICBM community. The Air Force efforts have only happened in the past few years so those who served in the past need to pay attention! What I also learned is that maneuvering through the VA system is still a challenge. A couple of members who have worked in the VA system have stepped up and offered their help and we will share more on that in future dispatches and newsletters.
Silent Auction
supporting the AAFM Scholarship fund
AAFM is auctioning off these hand crafted wooden replicas by Eamonn Needler as he brings an end to his Minuteman production and on-line store. The panels, built to actual dimensions, have moving parts and are mounted on stands. The SAS container is a wall plaque with rear slots for mounting and to install your crew lock!
AAFM will be auctioning off two A/M LCPs, two Deuce LCPs, 4 LEPs, and 4 SAS container replicas. Bid sheets will be available in the Hospitality Room at our National Meeting. If you can’t join us in Buellton and still want to bid on these items, please send an email with your bid to Director@AFMissileers.org All bids will close at 1600 PT on Saturday, 26 October 2024.
Sentinel Bridge Plans in Montana:
Eleven bridges in the Lewistown area will be replaced as part of the Sentinel Missile Project based on a formalized agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation and Department of Defense, the Governor’s Office announced.
The Malmstrom Air Force Base work includes construction on- and off- the Great Falls base such as establishing new utility corridors.
“Montana plays a key role in the national security of the United States,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a statement. “The announcement will allow the MDT to move forward replacing 11 aging bridges that serve the Lewistown community and will support the Sentinel Missile program.
Source: Bridging the Gaps
Cheyenne Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Nuclear Update:
The United States military is undergoing a “momentous undertaking” of nuclear weapon modernization, said Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, 20th AF Commander. Major General Huser was invited to speak at the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee Luncheon where she spoke about the role of F.E. Warren Air Force Base in updating its nuclear technology.
“The current international environment presents continued risks that demonstrate, now more than ever, the need for a strong U.S. nuclear deterrent,” Huser said at the luncheon. “And we’ve been tasked by the nation to modernize our nuclear delivery platforms. ”The modernization of nuclear technology is dependent on the work of hundreds of thousands of people around the country, Huser added, especially in places such as Savannah, Georgia; Kansas City, Missouri; Los Alamos, New Mexico; Great Falls, Montana; and Cheyenne, among several others.
Source: Nuclear Technology
US nuclear Forces Prepare for the Future
Every facet of Air Force Global Strike Command and the ballistic nuclear force of the United States Navy are being modernized, the Lt. Gen. Lutton, Deputy Commander of Global Strike Command told attendees at the North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium held in Minot. “There are consequences to that, and we have to deliver for the nation, and that’s going to require a team sport,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Lutton, keynote speaker at the symposium. Lutton said that team sport includes industry, academia, communities, allies and partners, and military. “We absolutely have to deliver for this nation. Given the backdrop of what is happening in this world, we absolutely have to deliver for them,” he said. “Our Long-Range Standoff missile will replace the air-launched cruise missile – the ALCM. That is also a major defense acquisition program”
The National Airborne Operations Center or NAOC will be replaced by the Strategic Airborne Operation Center or SAOC, Lutton said. He added that is still early in its acquisition process, but all of the nuclear command, control and communications are in one way, shape or another being recapitalized or modernized within the United States Navy and United States Space Force.
Source: Nuclear Symposium
Through the Ages...Famous Quotes from Previous Nuclear Leaders:
“Let us not be deceived: we are today in the midst of a cold war. Our enemies are to be found abroad and at home. Let us never forget this. Our unrest is the heart of their success.”
Dean Acheson, Former United States Secretary of State, 1947
“I think there are many times when it would be most efficient to use nuclear weapons. However, the public opinion in this country and throughout the world would throw up their hands in horror when you mention nuclear weapons, just because of the propaganda that's been fed to them.”
Lemay on Nuclear Weapon Use
General Curtis E Lemay, CINCSAC
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge, and more.”John F. Kennedy,
US president, at his inauguration in January 1961
“Sometime in the future--25, 50, 75 years hence--what will the situation be like then? By that time the Chinese will have the capability of delivery too. That's the reason some schools of thinking don't rule out a destruction of the Chinese military potential before the situation grows worse than it is today. It's bad enough now.”
Mission with Lemay (1965)
“The military balance which permitted us to maintain the peace is now threatened. If steps are not taken to modernize our defense, the United States will progressively lose the ability to deter the Soviet Union from employing force or threats of force against us and against our allies.”
President Reagan Address on Nuclear Weapons (1982)
President Ronald Reagan
“ICBMs and SSBNs together have allowed the bombers and tankers to be released for use by military commanders with great effect in a wide variety of conventional missions. This has raised the importance of ICBMs as a mainstay of deterrence, as a hedge against unforeseen technical problems or geopolitical events.”
General C. Robert Kehler, former Commander, US Strategic Command
“What the ICBM force gives to the president is the ability to respond promptly. I think that’s still a valuable component of the range of alternatives that we could offer to the president.”
The US Needs a New ICBM Now
General C. Robert Kehler, former Commander, US Strategic Command, 2019.
Not So Famous Quotes:
“I am deeply disappointed by the decision to continue this wasteful and unnecessary endeavor.”
Source: "Top Democrat on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness"
Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) Press release on Sentinel, July 9, 2024.
Russian media outlets reported the American Minuteman III failure was notable. Military expert Alexei Leonkov told RIA Novosti the U.S. is "launching old missiles that have already exceeded their planned service life." The Telegram account Russian Engineer posted, "very serious news about the state of US nuclear forces." Another failure like the one this week "could call into question the entire Minuteman silo missile."
Source: Minuteman Missile Failure Draws Russian Mockery of US Nuclear Arsenal
“No, don’t scratch your butt Though it feels good, I know Makes you feel cheerier to touch your posterior But there’s no pro and con — it’s open and shut. Don’t scratch your butt.”
Source: Don't Scratch Your Butt
Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion
OLD MISSILEER MYSTERY QUESTIONS
At MINOT: Why was the government issued toilet paper in the LCC grey?
At MINOT: What ever happened to the Henry 22 caliber US Survival Rifles kept under the LCC floor?
AT FE WARREN: Why is there an old canon next to the flagpole and metal stars on the tops of some of the buildings?
AT ELLSWORTH: Why was the missile in front of the Pride Hangar taken down and where did it go?
At FE WARREN: Why can’t stakes be put into the ground on the Parade Field?
What is the highest mileage on a crew vehicle used in the field?
On the LCC blast doors, why is there a high pressure and low-pressure hand pump?
Who developed WD40 and what was its military application?
Send your answers to: aggie1974@msn.com
We'll review the results at our National Meeting and in the next newsletter.
Can you believe it’s Labor Day weekend. Our children are back in school, football season in in full swing and the northern states are getting their snow removal equipment tuned up and ready to go! I’m anxiously waiting the arrival of the Minuteman Art Book which I spent two years gathering pictures and data for—it’s at the printer now and should be available for delivery by the end of the month. We created a web site to give you more information on what the book looks like including sample pages, how to order it and more. This is a book produced by missileers for missileers. Please check our site at www.afmissileersbook.com . The book is only about Minuteman Art. I know—where is the book on Atlas or Titan? That can be a project for someone in the future—we concentrated on Minuteman before all the below ground art was destroyed. While I wait for the book, I’m tying up loose ends for the National Meeting in Buellton, CA which includes the inaugural Hall of Fame Banquet. There are a few days left to register at www.afmissileers.org
Arlington Ceremony: Col Jim Roggero, 351st SWM/CC (Whiteman AFB) and 310th Training and Test Wing/CC (Vandenberg AFB) will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, Sept 6th at 11 am. The family will also have a meet and greet on Thursday evening, Sept 5th at the Double Tree Hotel in Crystal City (time TBD). Col Roggero is a hero of the Cold War and will be greatly missed!
44th SMW Reunion: Former members of the 44SMW are meeting from Sept 4th through Sept 8th at Hart Ranch, Rapid City, South Dakota. The 44th SMW can trace it’s lineage to the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) that was activated on 15-January-1942 and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group was nicknamed as the Flying Eight Balls. In all the 44th flew 343 missions in 8009 sorties and dropped 18,980 tons of bombs. The Group lost 153 aircraft and 2000 airmen MIA. After WW II, the 44th continued with different aircraft and missions until the Missile Wing was activated on January 1st, 1962.
BELLE FOURCHE, S.D.—1993, LA Times: The warheads were long gone. The doomsday keys had been removed to the safety of an Air Force vault. Racks of classified electronic communications panels that once spewed out coded messages from hidden war rooms had been carted off as salvage.
Source: Harvesting the Silos of South Dakota
Peacekeeper History: Do you have a good understanding of peacekeeper development and deployment? If so, historian and author David Stumpf would love to talk with you. If you would like to help David with either of the two questions below, please email him at dkarlstumpf@gmail.com .
How thick was the forward section of the deployed Peacekeeper canister? My copy of the dash 1 gives 1 inch for the center and aft sections but no value for the forward section thickness.
The original canisters used in the Canister Assembly Launch Test Program were graphite epoxy composite. Part way through the Minuteman Upper Silo Simulation test program at the Nevada Test Site, the canisters were changed to steel. Why was the change to steel made? Cost?
SAC Titan Crews Were Required to Finish All Paperwork:
A SSgt at McConnell, wandered into the officers latrine and took all the toilet paper. He was just outside, when some LTC went in. He screamed where is the toilet paper”? The SSgt screamed back “sir I will go and get some”! He always wondered who that LTC was, and I bet the LtCol is still wondering who he was. Or...maybe he is still sitting there? Moral: Always check before you sit!
Have you checked out the AAFM YouTube site? We have a total of 761 videos available and always adding more when we find them. Recently added is a SAC 1981 Missile Combat Competition video—there is no sound but the pictures are great and feature notables such as Maj Gen Jack Watkins as the 1 STRAD commander, Maj Gen Ralph Spraker then Col Spraker as the 3901 SMES commander, Col Norm Miner as the 351 SMW/CC and of course the Whitman Stump! Spoiler alert, the 1981 Blanchard trophy went to the team at Whiteman AFB. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/cGF4BlURmzM and the rest of the Missile videos at www.youtube.com/@associationofairforcemissi4328
Wyoming's Q01 Museum
Col (ret) Mike Vaughn wrote recently to say he had the opportunity to visit Q-01 outside of F. E. Warren AFB. Mike says: "The Wyoming Parks team have done a good job restoring the site and the staff is well educated. A glaring problem is with the (L)MISP. It is missing the bank of lights for Q-10 and Q11." Mike is positive one of you might have a spare bank of lights that you are willing to donate to the museum. If you have the asset and are willing to donate, please contact me at Director@AFMissileer.org.
Four key items for you to consider:
Building dedication at Warren for Col Trevor Flint 6 September 2024:
On behalf of Col Johnny Galbert, Commander, 90th Missile Wing, and the entire Maintenance Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, we would like to cordially invite you to join us as we dedicate the 90 MXG ICBM Maintenance Building to Col Trevor W. Flint in a ceremony to take place on the sixth of September 2024, at 1000L, Building 1235, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY. Reception to follow.
For those who cannot attend in person, we will be live streaming the event, link to follow. Formal invitation link: Colonel Flint ICBM Maintenance Building Dedication (afit.edu)
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Major Rachel Lovelady at 307-631-1749, MSgt Zachary Schwendiman at 307-773-6770, SSgt Michael Mateyunas at 307-773-3991, or the 90th Missile Wing Protocol Office.
AFA Missile Gathering 17 September 2024:
The Air & Space Forces Association General Gabriel Chapter #433 will be holding a Missileer Gathering at AFA ASC Conference on 17 Sep 2024 from 1930 to 2200. We will also recognize the Air Force General Thomas Power Missile Crew of the Year. We will have the event in larger venue in the Gaylord, like we did in 2021.
The Missileer Gathering Registration is now open. We are asking that all attendees, active duty, Reserve, Guard, retired, veterans, spouses, and friends please register at this website so we can get an accurate head count for food and beverages:
2024 Missileer Gathering Registration
We are selling specially minted 2024 Missileer Gathering Coins (and some left over 2023 Missileer Gathering Coins) as fund raiser.
The Last Thirty Seconds by David Stumpf
Military historian David Stumpf has done it again! His latest book "The Last Thirty Seconds: A Brief History of the Evolution of Hit-to-Kill Technology is now available through the University of Arkansas Press. More in the upcoming newsletter.
Minuteman Art book Pre-sale:
The Silent Sentinel: Minuteman Artwork Reveled is now available for pre-sale on our website. For over 60 years, the Minuteman InterContinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system has quietly and inconspicuously stood on alert as part of our nation’s nuclear triad across America’s Great Plains from Missouri to Montana. The Silent Sentinels: Minuteman Artwork Revealed provides insight into the daily lives of those who serve this important mission and highlights artwork created over the years, including those pieces hidden below ground in areas rarely seen or visited by the American public. Click here to order. Deliveries start in late September.
Dear Fellow Missileers
Happy Independence Day! Still to this day I have a strong memory of coming off alert on July 4th, 1976 at Ellsworth AFB and enjoying our Nation's Bicentennial celebration--a day full of flags, fireworks, and BBQs as we celebrated 200 years of independence from the British empire!
In the next few weeks, we will be sending our new book The Silent Sentinels: Minuteman Artwork Revealed to the printers. In this 324 page book, Missileers reveal the intricate details of the mission, the events, and the people through morale patches, schoolhouse painted ceiling tiles, underground mural walls of the launch control centers, and finally music. Copies will be available for purchase later this year.
Rock Star Missileers:
The Air and Space Forces Association recognized the 321st Missile Squadron with the 2024 Gen. Thomas S. Power Outstanding Missile Crew Award.
The award recognizes 1st Lt. Alex Tarbet and 1st Lt. Patrick Finan, 321 MS combat crew, as the best missile combat crew in the Air Force. “It is a humbling experience,” Finan said. “We couldn’t have done it without our peers’ and leaderships’ support. In the end, it's just confirmation that we were surrounding ourselves with a network of amazing people and improving ourselves along the way.”
AFA recognizes the best missile combat crew in Air Force Global Strike Command annually with this award. General Power was commander-in-chief of Strategic Air Command from 1957 to 1964. He was the father of SAC's intercontinental ballistic missile force and was directly involved in the planning and deployment of the Atlas, Titan and Minuteman ICBMs.
In the last year, Finan and Tarbet distinguished themselves through their dedication to the mission leading to the development and implementation of a new flight deployment construct and missile procedures training schedule, their leadership while completing five nuclear communications tests over four platforms, winning the Linhard trophy for Best Operations Crew and the McMahon Trophy for Best Weapon System Crew.
Memorable Moments from the Field!
Place: Vandenberg AFB in the Missile Procedures Trainer.
Instructor: In a simulated LCC fire scenario, states “You smell smoke”!
New DMCCC in training: Yes sir, I know, but I am trying to give it up and my wife doesn’t like the way it smells either!
Place: Minot on the way to an A2 alert in 1975:
As the A2 shift was driving to Lima; the sun was setting, and a glorious sunset was emblazoning itself across the sky. The crew commander commented how beautiful it was.
His new Deputy replied...
“If you kind-of squint a little bit it looks like a “25 Megatoner” detonating in Lima Flight!”
Place: Malmstrom AFB at the crew vehicle barn:
As the Crew Commander was just pulling out, she looked out the side rear-view mirror and saw a muddy dark liquid running down the back side window. She looked at the Deputy and asked, “where’s our coffee”?
The Deputy replied, “I put both cups and the box of donuts on the roof on your side!”
Place: 44 SMW, K01, 1968, on a very windy, cold, winter day.
Crew Commander: “Did you get all the used code pages destroyed in the burn barrel?”
Deputy: “Well...sort of”...
Commander: “What do you mean sort of?“
Deputy: ‘When I opened the barrel to put more pages in, some of them blew away!”
Commander: “Did you pick them up?”
Deputy: “They blew away over the fence”
Commander: “Let’s go get them!” .Note: a couple of half burned pages were found during the
spring thaw.
Place: 91st Missile Wing O01, 1975. The A1crew was turning in their Smith and Wesson 38
Handguns after a daytime alert.
The Commander and his Deputy went outside in the cold weather to the red clearing barrel.
The Deputy went to the clearing barrel first, put on his cold weather gloves and started to unload his 38. As he opened the cylinder and ejected the rounds into his gloved hand one round fell to the rubber mat under the barrel and bounced to the asphalt. When the round hit the asphalt, it detonated, and the shell casing flew between the Commanders legs and landed around twenty feet away. The 1960’s Vietnam era lead bullet flew around three feet.
SAC approved solution: Move the clearing barrel into the FSC’s office, don’t wear cold weather gloves when unloading weapons and, of course, retrain the crew on handling weapons.
Nuclear Hell on Wheels: Examining the Need for a Mobile ICBM
In 2015, Lt Col Matthew Dillow, a student at the Air Force Center for Unconventional Weapons Studies wrote a Trinity Site Paper revisiting the need for a mobile land-based ICBM. Lt Col Dillow’s paper contains an older, but well said statement from General Robert Kehler.
“And what the ICBM force gives to the president is the ability to respond promptly. I think that’s still a valuable component of the range of alternatives that we could offer to the president. ... I think there’s a big difference between a force that you can use promptly and one that you must use promptly. And I no longer see us in a scenario where we must use the ICBMs promptly.
General Robert Kehler, former Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
Given the fact that the USAF and DoD Sentinel Program is undergoing a Nunn-McCurdy cost review, the original concept of installing Sentinel in 60-year-old silos is uncovering some MM silo infrastructure and supply line issues that are adding to the program costs. Regardless, the Sentinel ICBM is needed in the Triad and there are ways to lower costs to get the missile deployed faster with less expense. Lt Col Dillow’s paper addresses a wide range of deployment alternatives regarding the existing strategic environment in 2015. Since 2015, the strategic nuclear environment and technology has changed, and some of his ideas in the paper are relevant again today and should be revisited. Both Russia and China have developed operational mobile ICBM’s. In addition, China is building hundreds of silo-based ICBMs with the possible ability to survive a counterforce strike. For more information see Russia's Nuclear Weapons and China's Mobile ICBM's .
Want to know more? Trinity Site Paper
Final Quote: “The entire world will be in nuclear war, and only the Swiss will be going, “Vhats that noise?”
-- Robin Williams
I hope you all received the AAFM Dispatch at the end of last week inviting you to join the Public Town Hall regarding the Missile Cancer Study this Friday. It will be shared via Zoom. Join early as the link is open to first 500 dial-ins. AFGSC will be recording the meeting and we will over the recording on our website as soon as we get it.
Have you signed up for our National Meeting yet? We are only about halfway to our goal so there are still plenty of seats available. We have some great speakers, tours, and discussion lined up and of course it will include our inaugural Hall of Fame banquet.
The first draft of our book on Minuteman Art has was delivered to the Air Force for review this week. We hope to go to print before our national meeting. For a look at a draft of the cover, click here. More information on ordering in future emails.
Grandpa, What Did You Do in the “Big War”?
The heritage of our three remaining Minuteman ICBM wings is long and goes back to WWII. The predecessors to our ICBM wings served with distinction and honor. In observance of Memorial Day, below is a quick summary of their service history.
91st WW II Service: Constituted as 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Trained with B-17's then moved to England and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat in Nov 1942 and concentrated its attacks on submarine pens, ship-building yards, harbors, and dock facilities until mid-1943. Also struck airdromes, factories, and communication nodes. Attacked the Nazi navy yard at Wilhelmshaven on 27 Jan 1943 when heavy bombers of Eighth AF first penetrated Germany. Of 64 planes participating in the raid, 53 reached their target and managed to shoot down 22 German planes. Three planes were lost.
341st WW ll Service: The 341st Missile Wing has its origins in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of World War II, being activated as the 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) in India on 15 September 1942. The unit was one of the first bomber units in the CBI equipped with B-25 Mitchell bombers shipped from the United States to Karachi. Entered combat early in 1943 and operated against enemy transportation in central Burma until 1944. Bombed bridges, locomotives, railroad yards, and other targets to delay movement of supplies to the Japanese troops fighting in northern Burma. Moved to China in Jan 1944. Engaged primarily in sea sweeps and attacks against inland shipping. Also bombed the Canton-Hong Kong area of China. Received a DUC for developing and using a special GLIP Bombing technique against enemy bridges in French Indochina.
90th WW II Service: The 90th Missile Wing traces its lineage to the establishment of the 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), on 28 January 1942. The 90th BG was a U.S. Army Air Forces, Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber unit that served in the Pacific Theater. The Group attacked enemy troop concentrations, airfield installations and shipping in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Palau and the Southern Philippines. The group was awarded a DUC for operations in Papua through January 1943 The unit participated in the Battle of Bismarck Sea in March 1943, and earned another citation for strikes on enemy airfields at Wewak, New Guinea in September 1943 despite heavy flak and fighter opposition.
Sentinel and Nunn-McCurdy...Oh boy! Another Report Opportunity
Lawmakers are taking several steps toward increased oversight of the Sentinel ICBM program. The Air Force announced earlier this year that Sentinel had breached Nunn-McCurdy critical costs and schedule overruns. However, there is no movement to cancel or curb the program.
If Sentinel is certified to continue, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) introduced an NDAA amendment—approved by the committee—that would require Pentagon acquisition boss William LaPlante to submit a report on the “total system architecture, and opportunities for competition throughout the lifecycle of the program.” The report would include government control of design review entrance and exit criteria, the ability to certify completion of all subsystems and the “total system architecture, and opportunities for competition throughout the lifecycle of the program”.
Want To Know More? Another Report!
Back to the Future...Some Thoughts of Those Who Have Gone Before Us
For years the Air Force ICBM community has proposed different basing schemes for land-based ICBMs. The Air Force Sentinel decision was to place the new missiles in existing, refurbished silos. Although it is the correct decision, existing MM silos, cabling systems and technology need major Civil Engineering and electronic updates to support Sentinel for its approximate 50-year life cycle. The actual missile itself is progressing successfully, but will the ground support system be ready to accept it and are there other ways to get Sentinel on alert faster?
So what does the US do to maintain an effective TRIAD? In 1975, RAND produced a then Classified/FRD study outlining Current and Future Options for the ICBM Force. The RAND report has been declassified, and although old and dated, provides some interesting ideas on how to proceed.
Want to Read the 1975 Report? RAND Report
ARE YOU A MISSILEER?
IF YOU SEE THIS ON THE ROAD .................AND REMEMBER THIS
YOU MIGHT BE A MISSILEER
IF YOU SEE THIS IN THE GROCERY STORE ...... AND REMEMBER THIS
IF YOU SEE THIS FROM THE ROAD ........AND REMEMBER THIS
YOU ARE A MISSILEER!
(apologies to Jeff Foxworthy)
As always, reach out if you have any questions, comments, or content to add.
On Saturday, 11 May 2024, @ 0900, there will be a muster ceremony for ICBM missile community members (missileers, maintainers, security forces, facility managers, military family members, etc.), lost to probable service-related cancer and other illnesses. It will be held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO, Section 6, near site 193 (Mark Holmes’ gravesite). Mark Holmes was a former 10th Missile Squadron, 3 SOPS and 19 SOPS member. He died on 12 May 2020 after a short battle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. We will use the anniversary of Mark’s death to remember him and the many others that were lost to similar circumstances, the fallen Airmen of 20 AF. (Note: the ceremony is being held 11 May instead of 12 May to deconflict with Mother’s Day.)
This will be a 10 min ceremony to remember those ICBM community members who have passed. Their names will be read and a roll call answered for them in their absence.
You are welcome to forward the invitation to other missile community members that may want to attend This will not be a formal event, and you can wear business casual or casual attire.
Making It Better!
Imagine you’re driving to your first assignment with your new bride in the middle of winter. You left your home in Florida, went to training in California, got married, and now you’re pulling up to the Minot AFB main gate. Emblazoned across the gate are the words “Only the Best Come North”. As you lower your window to show your ID, the cold wind smacks into your face. The Security Forces guard smiles, and says, I noticed your Florida plates, are you new to Minot?” You reply “yes”, and she directs you to the Welcome Center.
You casually glance at the outside temp gage on your convertible Mustang instrument cluster and it reads minus 21 degrees. Your bride looks at you, and says “don’t worry, I’ll be ok, I just need to buy some warmer clothes”. Warmer clothes are not the only things that families have to buy when moving to a cold weather assignment. How about an engine block heater to keep the car engine warm so your car will start on cold days...and don’t forget that heavy duty extension cord required to plug your car into the parking lot outlets. Other costs for families could include warm boots, gloves, “long johns”, snowsuits, and possibly a humidifier for your home.”
Effective April 1, the Department of the Air Force approved a new incentive pay for Airmen assigned to qualifying bases in the U.S. where the temperature is expected to drop below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.Cold Weather Assignment Incentive Pay is a single lump sum payment given to Airmen after signing an agreement to serve a prescribed tour length of at least 12 months, depending on the qualifying location. Currently, locations that meet this threshold include Minot and Grand Forks Air Force Bases and Cavalier Space Force Station in North Dakota, Clear Space Force Station, Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, as well as Malmstrom AFB, Montana.
The AF has recognized there are expenses that Airmen and families incur at some bases that are not reimbursed with travel pay. Cold Weather Assignment Pay helps our Airmen and families. The one-time stipend ensures service members and their families stationed at these critical installations have the support needed to be successful.
Want to know more? See Baby Its Cold Outside
Malmstrom AFB made Montana News
Montana Right Now posted a video highlighting our great people serving in the ICBM fields. You may recognize at least one of the missileers in the news. The video is only 3.5 minutes long, will take you into A01, and is pretty cool!
Want to know more? See This Force is With You!
Nuclear and Missile Operations Promotions:
Selection rates to Major for missileers and information warfare Captains remained steady while all other AF career fields dropped. It’s becoming harder to get promoted to Major, but missileers are faring better than other career fields. In April the Air Force released the promotion stats for the ‘23 promotion boards. In all, 1,995 new majors were selected out of 2,367 captains considered at the 23-selection board. The overall selection rate was about 84 percent. According to data provided by the Air Force Personnel Center, the 2022 promotion board process resulted in 2,177 new majors from a field of 2,531, for a selection rate of 86 percent.
Since 2020, officers are now put into six categories: Air operations and Special Warfare, Combat Support, Force Modernization, Information Warfare, Nuclear and Missile Operations, and Space Operations (see Categories ). Prior to this, missile officers were lumped into a single massive Line of the Air Force group, regardless of specialty. Now officers compete against officers in the same profession. Missile officers compete against Missile officers in their same year group.
So, how is it working out for active duty missileers. The answer is better compared to when Missileers were lumped into a massive group. For missileers competing for Major against other missileers, the promotion rate was one of the two career fields that did not drop from the previous year.
Want to know more? See Selection rates fell in 2024 for all captains except those in nuclear and missile operations, and information warfare
Family of Hellhounds--
This is a great story about triplets who went though High School together, joined the Air Force together...But wait there’s more and if you want to read about them, go to the link below.
See their story: Hellhounds
What Does Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), Vandenberg Space Base, AF Nuclear Weapon Center and Sentinel Have in Common?
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center ( AFIMSC) at JBSA, San Antonio is executing a multi-year design and construction program to provide beddown for the Department of the Air Force nuclear deterrence mission. Under the program, AFIMSC recently spearheaded the award of a $120 million contract to deliver a new Sentinel test infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The award is the result of the collaborative partnership between the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Air Force Global Strike Command, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Vandenberg Space Force Base, AFIMSC’s Detachment 10 and the California District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver a 148,444 square-foot, consolidated maintenance facility to support testing and launch operations for the Air Force’s Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program. Below is a proposed illustration of the Sentinel Launch Center.
“Be Authentic”—Major General Stacy Huser, Commander 20th Air Force
In May 2023 then Brig. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser was the Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application, with the National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. She was the guest speaker at a Tea talk held at White Sands Missile Range where she spoke about her leadership perspective. Many of you may have met her at AAFM’s last meeting in Utah and hopefully we can hear her 20th Air Force perspectives at our October meeting at Vandenberg Space Base.
Want to know more: See Be Authentic
20th AF 80th Anniversary Celebrated:
Maj. Gen. Stacy Huser, Twentieth Air Force commander, and former Alabama state senator Henry Erwin, remove the covering of a stanchion recognizing Erwin's father, Henry "Red" Erwin, during a ceremony at the newly dedicated Erwin Hall Twentieth Air Force headquarters on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, April 4, 2024. Erwin Jr. visited the base as part of the rededication ceremony event renaming the Twentieth Air Force headquarters building to honor his father, the NAF's only Medal of Honor recipient. To honor his memory, 20th Missile Boosters, a separate nonprofit organization, has developed memorial patches, coins, and stickers to raise money for a permanent memorial plaque. The flyers below tell you how to obtain these limited-edition commemoratives.
If you are interested in learning more about the current state of our nuclear triad then I'd encourage you to look at the upcoming Strategic Deterrent Coalition (SDC) Symposium in Las Vegas. We work closely with the SDC to educate the public on the status of our forces and this is a key event for them. Their list of speakers is impressive! Here is more from the SDC:
The Strategic Deterrent Coalition’s Ninth Annual Symposium on May 9, 2024, at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, Las Vegas, NV is fast approaching. Our theme for this conference is Deterrence: Remembering Why It Exists. The events will begin with a Nevada National Security Site Tour the morning of May 8th, followed by our Strategic Deterrence Coalition reception in the evening of May 8, 2024, at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. The Symposium will be held at the hotel all day on 9 May ending with a reception and dinner. The keystone event of our Symposium will be the attendance and participation by both the Chair and Vice Chair of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States.
Go the the SDC site for registration: https://www.sdc-usa.org
Our list of confirmed senior leader speakers/panelists include:
*The Honorable Madelyn Creedon, Chair, Congressional Commission on The Strategic Posture of The United States.
*The Honorable Marshall S. Billingslea, Commissioner, Congressional Commission on The Strategic Posture of The United States.
* Dr. Brad Roberts, Director, Center for Global Security Research.
* General Paul J. Selva (USAF Retired), former Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
* General Robin Rand (USAF Retired), former Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command.
* General Glen D. VanHerck (USAF Retired), former Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command
*Lieutenant General Andrew J. Gebara, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (HAF/A10).
*Dr. Steven Van Dyk (SES), Chief Engineer, Navy Strategic Systems Programs.
*Dr. Greg Brown, Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
*Dr. Illimar Ploom, Associate Professor, Department of Strategic Studies and Innovation, Estonian Military Academy. (ZOOM)
*Nicholas J. Taylor, Chief, Deterrence Research, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, United Kingdom Ministry of Defense.
*Garrett Harencak (Maj Gen USAF Ret), President and CEO, Mission Support and Test Services, LLC.
*Major General John J. Nichols, Director, Global Operations (J3), United States Strategic Command.
*Major General Jason R. Armagost, Commander, Eighth Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command.
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