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