Fellow Missileers
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: 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
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 .
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
