Fellow Missileers:
Directors Comments: In order to best advocate for the Air Force ICBM mission (one of our core missions), it is important that we understand where the Air Force is headed. We focus this dispatch on key aspects of the administration's nuclear strategy. We have included a lot of links to documents so you can read up on current plans and strategies. Meanwhile, I had a great visit last week with Maj Gen Huser, 20 AF/CC (and AAFM member) where we talked about the impacts of the cancer study, Minuteman sustainment, Sentinel deployment, alert schedules, and more. We'll provide updates on all of these subjects in the months to come.
Strategic Challenges of the 21st Century: Lt Gen David A. Deptula (USAF Ret) gave a version of the attached Mitchell Institute power point briefing at a Daedalians Symposium on April 10th. The title of the briefing is “State of the Air Force and Space Force ”. Now before you think, hey we’re missileers not fliers; the briefing is an insightful, honest look into the current state of the Air Force and Space Force and also addresses ICBM issues. The slides cover Sentinel and priorities for the next SECAF.
Want to know more? State of the Air Force
AFGSC Strategic Plan: No, this not a boring discussion of a bunch of “highfalutin jargon”. The AFGSC plan is clear, concise and to the point. It’s good to reorient our thoughts and immerse ourselves into the Strategic Plan that formulates strategy for our troops in the field! To read the AFGSC Strategic Plan go to the following link: AFGSC Strategic Plan .
A quick take shows the Lines of Effort the plan strives to keep the focus on:
PEOPLE Build courageous problem solvers, capable of intelligent risk-taking.
MISSION Compete, deter, and WIN against competitors.
MODERNIZE Balance sustaining today’s force while modernizing for tomorrow’s fight
ENGAGE local community and policy makers to increase Airmen quality of life
“Our Strikers and our nuclear mission are the bedrock of our nation’s defense and international security. We have the incredible responsibility to develop Airmen, sustain readiness, and promote strategic stability through a credible long-range strike force. Our command Lines of Effort are our path to successfully accomplish this critical mission and build the next generation of combat capability and Striker Airmen. I am incredibly proud of the work you do each and every day for our nation.”
Gen Thomas A. Bussiere,
Commander, AFGSC
Department of the Air Force (DAF) Executive Order Implementation (EO): As of April 24, 2025, the President has signed 139 Executive orders. See: EOs Signed The implementation of these EO’s is not easy, is being accomplished and running as smooth as possible. As expected, there have been questions about policy and interpretation of the EO’s. The DAF has established a site where you can read all DAF guidance on how to implement the EO’s at DAF EO Guidance.
To view an actual DAF memorandum on readiness, go to the following link: Readiness
Stay Informed: Two web sites that have some interesting info about Sentinel; the DoD and White House websites at these links:
Project Information Plans for Sentinel at all three ICBM bases...what is proposed to be done.
White House Acquisition Info See the status of the services major acquisition programs.
AAFM Advocacy Acquisition Conundrums: The Leonardo AW139 Helicopter is the commercial version of the MH139 Grey Wolf. The Leonardo AW139 is a multi-role, medium-sized twin-engine helicopter known for its versatility and performance. Having performed its civilian maiden flight on 3 February 2001, the AW139 entered civilian service in 2003 and quickly proved itself to be a commercial success.
On 24 September 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.4 billion contract to replace the aging UH-1N helicopter fleet. The civilian AW139 was selected as the best platform to support the goal of enhancing ICBM missile field security and emergency field dispatches.
On Aug. 5, 2024, Boeing delivered the first production MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter to the U.S. Air Force. From contract award to first Air Force delivery took six years. Granted, the Grey-Wolf mission requirements are very different from the civilian version and changes were required. Despite involved 20AF and AFGSC leadership, the following issues occurred at the DoD and SECAF level.
1. Possible Nunn-McCurdy Breaches: The Air Force's decision to cut the Grey Wolf procurement significantly, from 80 to 42, would have triggered a "Nunn-McCurdy breach," This breach would have been due to a change in the total program cost, not a cost overrun. To avoid a breach,12 Grey Wolfs were added back into the procurement.
2. Program Delays: The program has experienced delays due to issues with FAA certifications and the integration of military systems onto the commercial helicopter platform.
• Delays in acquiring technical data and some aircraft components from the contractor also contributed to the delays.
• The initial operational capability was projected for 2021 but was pushed back due to these delays.
3. Performance and Design Concerns:
• Several deficiencies have been identified, including issues with the automatic flight control system, sensor display availability, the intercom system, and the cabin layout.
• The original contractor-proposed fuel cell design did not meet military requirements, and testing focused on its ability to inhibit fires.
• The program has also struggled with integrating contractor maintenance data into the Air Force system.
4. Budgetary Issues:
• The Air Force reduced its planned Grey Wolf purchase due to tight budgets.
• The Air Force plans to spend significantly less on procurement for the program than previously planned.
BOTTOM LINE: The security of the US ICBM nuclear missile fields requires the MH-139. This will be especially true during transition to the Sentinel ICBM. Removing Minuteman III warheads and boosters requires increased security. More nuclear convoy activity and more people supporting maintenance and securing missiles in the field. The SECAF (acting), Gary A . Ashworth is a former missileer and would probably like to hear your views on acquisition and missile field security. You can send a letter (makes more impact) to him at:
SECAF Gary Ashworth (Acting)
670 Air Force Pentagon, Room 4E878,
Washington, DC 20330-1670
LAST NOT BUT NOT LEAST: On April 24th the Congressional Budget Office updated its projections of the 10-year costs of nuclear forces that is published every two years. This report contains CBO’s projections for the 2025–2034 period, which are based on the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) fiscal year 2025 budget requests, that were submitted in March 2024.
Want to know More? See Nuclear Costs '25 thru '34
You tube video of Minuteman Art Book available on the AAFM website. Great gift for all Missileers. Watch it and be amazed at our ICBM history! See: Amazing Video Original Artwork painted by nuclear underground combat warriors. Over fifty years of art that have never been commercially available until now.
As always, please email me with any questions or comments at Director@AFMissileers.org
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
