ASSOCIATION OF AIR FORCE MISSILEERS
308 SMW Reunion
Reunion dates – 11-13 October 2024
Location Desert Diamond Casino, Tuscan, Arizona
Arrive 11 Oct - Depart 13 Oct
Friday evening, 11 Oct - Ice Breaker
Saturday 10 Aug - Titan 2 museum tour, Pima Air Museum Tour, Transportation provided by Desert Diamond Casino
Saturday evening Buffett dinner cost TBD
Sunday depart
Room cost 124/night
Reservation information available March 2024 on 308 SMW Facebook site
Information: Contact Linda Aldrich at lsaletters@comcast.net
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to talk once again with Dr Tory Woodard, Commander of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) to get an update on the Missile Community Cancer Study (MCCS). As most of you that are following this closely know, results of round one of the study were recently released. While environmental results were reassuring for our active-duty force, there is more study work to do. There will a total of three rounds of testing (round two is underway) to ensure the study also addresses seasonal fluctuations due to things like farming, heat vs air conditioning, etc. according to Dr. Woodard. As the Air Force works to ensure the work conditions are safe for our current alert force, I asked Dr Woodard about the work conditions of those who served in the past and at other locations. As you all know, with few exceptions, all of the sites at Whiteman, Ellsworth, and Grand Forks were destroyed. Dr Woodard noted that the team is working on how to document past exposure. The ongoing epidemiologic study does include individuals who served at these locations. In addition, USAFSAM and AFGSC are aware of current Museum locations and the insights it might provide to a pre-REACT capsule configuration and are in discussions on how best to potentially address any concerns at these former sites.
The study team has visited all three active wings on multiple occasions and visited Vandenberg in fall 2023. As noted in the Round 1 study report, there were indications of PCB residue in a number of capsules which resulted in discussions about whether all PCBs were removed. The Minuteman System Program Office (SPO) is actively working the issue of PCB residue cleanup where required, and to identify any remaining PCBs inside the acoustical enclosure. The study team is also looking at sampling additional/different locations on the bases based on feedback from current and active crews and maintainers.
The team is in the process of working a plan to visit additional missile launch facilities. Although visiting all 450 sites is an impossible task, the team will work with the Minuteman SPO to determine where PCBs were located in the past and if there might be any residual contamination. I reminded Dr Woodard that there were plenty of first-hand reports of PCB spills in the LF as there were in the LCCs. We addressed the hazardous chemicals used on a regular basis by our maintenance teams and he said the team is aware of those chemicals and are not discounting the impacts. Exposure to those chemicals should have been documented at the time of exposure and although it is not possible to retroactively document these exposures now, we anticipate that these factors will be taken into account when evaluating any increased cancer risks within the missile community, both past and present.
We discussed the team’s access to medical records of those who served in the past. Dr Woodard noted that there are multiple data bases that the team is gaining access to, including the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration electronic medical record systems, DoD and VA cancer registries, National Death Index data, and many state cancer registries. The epidemiologic study seeks to evaluate rates of cancer among those who served within the missile community, to include missile operators, maintainers, security forces, and facility managers. Both the Veterans Administration and USAFSAM now have websites where you can get the most recent information. You can find those at https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Resources/Missile-Community-Cancer-Study/ and https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/missileers/
AAFM will continue to ask questions of the Air Force and the USAFSAM team as we monitor progress. As mentioned before, if you or a family member are impacted, we encourage you to register at the Torchlight website: https://torchlightinitiative.org/
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
Fellow Missileers:
Congratulations to AAFM member Maj Gen Stacy Jo Huser who assumed command of 20 AF this afternoon from now Lt Gen Michael Lutton who is moving to be the AFGSC Deputy Commander. We look forward to working with Maj Gen Huser and hearing from her at future AAFM events.
AAFM continues to track the efforts of the study to understand the causes of cancer in missileers. To us, it is just as important to document and understand the past incidents that affected those that served in the past and ensure they get the proper healthcare from the VA as it is to ensure that our current missileers have a safe work environment. We will continue to carry this two-fold message forward in any conversation we have with government officials and the media.
You may have noticed that our December 2023 newsletter never arrived—that is because over the holidays we switched gears and moved to a January, May, and September publication schedule. Our cover is dedicated to Bob Wyckoff, author of several missile related poems including the well-known “Missileer” as well as “Missile Maintainers”, “The Schoolhouse” and “The Ace in the Hole”. This month’s newsletter if full of information on the 2024 National Meeting in Buellton, CA, our scholarship winners, the 2024 Heritage program recipients, Global Challenge 2024, and the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force to proudly wear the missile badge. Click here for your digital copy. Hard copies went out in the mail today.
What’s up at the Wings?
-- MAF PCB Detection Locations: The link below shows where PCBs have been located in the LCC’s Topside and LCEB’s at all three Missile Wings. PCB Sample Locations On Dec 20 AFGSC released the Missile Community Cancer Study Round One environmental sampling results. The entire round one results are available at the following link Round One Results.
-- Minot: Eye in the Sky: Helicopter Squadron Secures Missile Fields from Above. The Minot Daily News ran a great article on the 54th Helicopter Squadron (HS). The article reports on the current mission and the future of the 54th HS. If you were stationed at Minot AFB, it’s interesting to see the local newspaper and what has changed and not changed.
Want to know more? Minot Daily News on the 54th HS
-- Malmstrom: New AFGSC ICBM Modernization Director Visits Malmstrom
Brig. Gen. Colin J. Connor ICBM Modernization Director visited Team Malmstrom during a two-day visit. Connor was joined by Maj. Gen. Ty W. Neuman, AFGSC Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, and Col. David S. Miller, AFGSC Director of Logistics and Engineering. The three coordinate and advocate for the funding and requirements for the modernization and recapitalization of strategic nuclear forces, to include the LGM-35 Sentinel missile and MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters.
Want Know More? ICBM Director Visits Malmstrom AFB
-- Kirtland:
Many of our long time (aka older) AAFM members may not know that Kirtland AFB provides critical support to the ICBM mission. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) established on March 31, 2006, is the nuclear-focused center within Air Force Material Command (AFMC) synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of the AFMC commander and in direct support of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). For example, the Air Force and Northrop Grumman conducted a static fire test of stage 1, of the LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system at Northrop Grumman's facility in Promontory, Utah. The test results are currently being analyzed by a team of experts from the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) and Northrop Grumman. Another example is that the 576 Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) is now assigned to the 377 Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM. The 576 FLTS is a geographically separate unit, residing at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA and is a direct reporting unit to AFGSC.
Want to Know More? Watch this nifty and short video: AFNWC Sentinel Support
Thought Piece: Why Hypersonic Missiles’ Greatest Strength Also Makes Them Vulnerable and How Do They Compare with Ballistic Missile Reentry Vehicles?
A recent report (Vulnerabilities) warns that a wave of emerging weapons such as hypersonic glide vehicles, scramjet cruise missiles, and maneuvering reentry vehicles could evade today’s missile defenses due to their high speed and unpredictable maneuvers. But unique phenomena at hypersonic speeds (Hypersonic Speeds or faster) could also make those weapons easier to detect and track for certain sensors. In May 2023 Ukraine news reported it had shot down a Russian hypersonic missile. ("This is my work")
“Hypersonic weapons, the things that make them so dangerous are also what make them so vulnerable,” said Masao Dahlgren, a Missile Defense Project fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies and author (A New Hypersonic Look) on hypersonic missile defense. In comparison, ballistic missile reentry vehicle speeds at the terminal phase can reach approximately 19000 feet per second or close to Mach 17. ( Source)
Want to know more? Hypersonic Vulnerabilities?
As we enter into this holiday weekend, the Association of Air Force Missileers would like to acknowledge and thank our airmen serving the critical mission of deterrence twenty fours hours a day, seven days a week. While we enjoy the holidays with our families, these dedicated airmen are at their posts. To all the Defenders, Maintainers, Operators, Facility Managers, and Chefs that are deployed to the field and those in the control centers on base, we thank you for your service. We have stood in your shoes and understand the sacrifice that goes with the task.
AAFM member Quentin Thomas wrote the following to recognize your dedication.
The Gift of Peace
The season now is Christmas,
A time of thankful cheer.
Peace our gift is given,
Its silence you can hear.
For way up in the north tier,
On plains of snowy white.
Deterrence still is working,
Each day and through the night.
While seldom they’re remembered,
And often times ignored.
The peace they’ve long provided,
For decades past and more.
Through dry heat days of summer,
And the bitter winters gale.
The peace on earth defended,
For years it has prevailed.
The work of oh so many,
Throughout these long past years.
Their standard yet unequaled,
By all their other peers.
While children all are nestled,
So snug and very warm.
Some troop is there protecting,
Their life from evils harm.
It’s quiet on these winter nights,
The northern lights will shine.
Another blessed Christmas,
There’s Peace for all Mankind.
Its with great sadness that I share the passing of a fellow missileer and poet, Major (ret) Robert Wyckoff this last weekend in Lompoc, CA. Bob was well known for the poems he wrote including the tribute to our community, "Missileer". We'll have more on Bob in our December newsletter but until then, if you are in the area, the service will be Tuesday, 12 December at 1500 PST at Starbuck Lind, 123 North A Street in Lompoc.
A SAC CHRISTMAS STORY
By
Edwin Phillips
It was the day before Christmas and all through the Wing
the backups were ready and would be kept on three rings.
The MADOs were final, the lineup was set.
The maintenance schedule was as firm as it could get.
Security Forces were ahead of all others.
Already on alert with their Security Force brothers.
The spouse clubs had baked a gazillion cookies.
They had done this before; they weren’t a bunch of rookies.
Pre-departure planning was done, and it was all coming together.
The only issue, of course, was the weather.
A winter storm warning had been sent out statewide.
Conditions had turned yellow, but these SAC warriors would not be denied.
The FM and Chef were ready to go, as the crew climbed inside and kicked off the snow.
The FM turned the key and the engine roared, and they pulled out in their high-milage Ford.
The FM driving was a former cop, and his driving skills were at the top.
Despite the bad weather he forged ahead, then TCC announced the roads were red!
They were too far out to turn back, and that wasn’t the way they did it in SAC!
The FM slowed down to almost a crawl, but he couldn’t foresee a white out snow squall.
The Ford turned sideways and almost rolled, how the FM saved it was a sight to behold.
Despite all his efforts, the Ford hit the ditch, and the FM cussed “DAMN! this is a bitch”.
They undid the seat belts and egressed with ease and stepped into a drift up to their knees.
They radioed the MAF and then TCC, but nobody would answer their desperate plea.
Despite digging and pushing the Ford would not go, it became clear they needed a tow.
As the temperature dropped, their fate wasn’t too bright. Then the Chef asked, “Is that a light”?
Out of nowhere a red light could be seen, on the top of a red tractor towing machine.
The tractor was a huge “JOHN DEER”, but to those SAC troops, this was better than beer.
The JOHN DEER pulled up, and out jumped the driver, a short little guy who looked older, but wiser.
He smiled and said, “My scanner got your calls and if I didn’t help, you could freeze your snowballs”.
The little guy yelled out, “STAND BACK, I’ll get this done, I have a lot to do before I finish my run”.
The little guy quickly pulled out the Ford, and the FM muttered, “Thankyou Lord”!
They asked for his name, and he laughed “it’s not important, but Babbo Nowell just the same”!
Babbo laughed, then said, “I gotta go, and you need to drive and get out of this snow”.
As quick as it came, the JOHN DEER disappeared, and to all of them it seemed kind of weird.
All of sudden, the radio came alive, the FM reported they were now five by five.
What really happened on that Christmas Eve ride was always kept to themselves!
With one exception, the Chef asked the FM...”did you hear the tinkling of bells”?
New Schedule for Sentinel Coming Soon, Says ICBM Modernization Boss
The head of a new office created to oversee the modernization of the Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missile fleet said schedule changes for the Sentinel program are due “at the end of the year” from contractor Northrop Grumman
Want to know more? Brig Gen Connor
GSC, (aka Olympic Arena for you older missileers) scores were announced at Barksdale and the trophy winners are listed below. Although the competition is conducted in a different manner, the objectives are still the same. “To show the American people, the Department of Defense and the rest of the Department of the Air Force how professional, skilled and awesome the men and women of the nuclear enterprise are," said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC Commander. The team picture above with CMSAF Bass is the fifth win in a row for the 341st MW.
Blanchard Trophy for Best ICBM Wing: 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB
Klotz (Best ICBM and Helicopter Operations): 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB
Linhard Trophy (Best ICBM Ops Crew): 321st Missile Squadron, 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB
Blackburn Trophy (Best ICBM Maintenance): 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB
Bourland (Best Helicopter Squadron): 37th Helicopter Squadron, 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB
Barksdale Trophy (awarded to the best community support for an AFGSC base): Minot Community
For a complete listing of all the of all the GSC trophy winners go to: GSC Trophy Lists
Armed Forces Hockey Tournament
You may be wondering what the heck does hockey have to do with ICBMs? Well the clue is in the picture above. If you recognized the black cowboy hat as an FE Warren symbol you are right! Military active duty and veteran Hockey teams from all over the US competed in a Veteran’s Day hockey tournament in Las Vegas. FE Warren and two teams from Minot (no pics yet) competed and won their divisions. For the first time, this year included active duty and veteran females. These athletes really know what the puck they are doing!
“While China has focused on creating the regional conventional forces it believes it needs, China is also dramatically expanding its nuclear force and military space capabilities. We cannot sustain deterrence by standing still.” Frank Kendall, SECAF, 5 September 2023 letter to all Airmen and Guardians
2024 AAFM National Meeting Registration is open:
Registration for our 2024 National Meeting is now active on our website. Click here to register. We will be meeting in Buellton, CA 23-27 October 2024 at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. Events include a winery tour (limited to 100), a Vandenberg tour, our Membership meeting, and the Hall of Fame Dinner with Keynote speaker. Check out our website for more details. Speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.
War Fighters in Action at Minot AFB:
The 91st MW and 5th BW commanders held an online joint panel discussion on Oct 30 as part of the “Air & Space Warfighters in Action” series. The 91st MW/CC Col. Kenneth C. McGhee and 5th BW/CC Col. Daniel S. Hoadley provided their unique insights of the only USAF base supporting two legs of the Triad.
Col. McGhee stated that Sentinel is not slated to be at Minot AFB until 2027. Until then, Minuteman will have to be sustained and launch ready through the entire transition to Sentinel. This means Minuteman certified maintenance teams; security forces and combat crews will be needed until the Sentinel transition is complete. As Sentinel stands up, Minuteman will still be the backbone of deterrence.
Col McGhee discussed the impact of extended alert tours on our Airmen and quality of life. Crew tours are seven days long. Families with children have a hard time finding childcare at a reasonable price. This also impacts the 5th BW when they pack up around 150 people and deploy them. The need for upgraded childcare facilities is needed Air Force wide! Family readiness means combat readiness!
Airmen who have pets that require expensive kenneling are also impacted. Commanders have started a program where airmen help other airmen when they are on alert or deployed. They take care of families and pets in their homes.
The following are some Golden Nuggets from Col McGhee:
- In reply to a question on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on missile operations. "We are upgrading our UAS counter capabilities and exercising those capabilities”.
- “The dramatic rise in Chinese ICBM capabilities is impressive. ICBMs will deter that capability as well as the other legs of the Triad and will be needed in the future”.
- “The future Nuclear Command and Control Systems will require an un-hackable, very secure capacity. Sentinel’s digital capacity will also leverage cyber capability and save manpower”.
- “The majority of our Airmen in the missile field are first term Airmen, challenged with great responsibility and are doing great work.”
Want to know More? Minot Wing Commanders
Cancer Study Update:
AAFM strongly supports the efforts of the Torchlight Initiative which continues to lead the way in representing Missileers concerns and interests regarding toxic exposures within the missile community. AAFM continues to post their information on our website but for a direct link for their latest talking papers, click here: Resources - Torchlight Initiative.
As you will read on their website, the Torchlight Initiative is a non-government organization composed of current and former ICBM community members and their families. Their mission is to address health issues of vital interest to the ICBM community, specifically, to address the higher rates of cancer and associated disorders amongst those that operated, maintained, supported, or protected ICBM delivery systems. Their goal is to ensure the current and future ICBM environment is safe for all current and future personnel while continuing to support the vital deterrent capability inherent in the ICBM mission. They advocate for this community and ensure former and current community members receive education, health monitoring, health care, and when appropriate, VA claim service connection.
ICBM PCB Cancer Cleanup Moves Forward:
Want to know more? PCB ICBM Cleanup Moves Forward
Sentinel ICBM Program Status Check.
A Government Accountability Office Report stated “Initial capability for the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM is now slated for April to June 2030--a year later than the May 2029 date. Sentinel is behind schedule due to staffing shortfalls, delays with clearance processing, and classified information technology infrastructure challenges. Additionally, the program is experiencing supply chain disruptions, leading to further schedule delays. The prime contractor is working on multiple supply chain mitigations to address the issue.”
Note: In October 1958, the US government contracted with Boeing to assemble and test the first Minuteman. The Air Force began constructing the first Minuteman missile field on March 16, 1961, and the first ten-missile flight was activated on October 27, 1962, at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Four years to activation!
Want to Know More? Sentinel ICBM Delayed page 87.
Malmstrom picture request:
Do you remember this sign outside of 341 SMW/ DO22? If you have information on who created it and when, please let us know. The wing would like to create a plague to acknowledge its origin. Send info to Director@AFMissileers.org
Teaching a Third Grader About Deterrence!
As a third grade Air Force “Brat”, my family was stationed in Japan on Kyushu Island. In the 60’s, my dad took our family to the Nagasaki Peace Museum. The impact of this trip has remained with me for 61 years. Upon entering the museum, I saw the atomic shadow pictures of several Japanese students, about my age, burned into a fence. The images were so clear, I could see their backpacks and faces clearly outlined on the fence. A steel Japanese helmet was also displayed, and the remains of the soldier’s skull were fused to the inside. The entire museum displayed amazing artifacts showing the devastation and the ferocity of the explosion. See more: Museum Site
On the way home in our 1958 Plymouth Belvedere, we were all very quiet. Dad broke the silence and asked, “well what do you think?” My sister immediately said, “it was scary”. I leaned over the front seat, (no seatbelts in a 58 Belvedere), and asked Dad “why did we bomb them?”
His paused and said, “to save American lives.” I looked at him questionably and he stated, “During WWII if the U.S. had invaded Japan, it was estimated the U.S. would have over one million U.S. casualties.” The President made the decision to use nuclear bombs to end the war quickly. Now, nuclear weapons keep our enemies from attacking us with nuclear bombs. Then Mom looked seriously at Dad and quietly said, “keep your eyes on the road”! I sat back in my seat and fell asleep thinking about what he said.
SAC’s original motto was “War is our Profession Peace is our Product”. Twelve years after SAC was formed it was shortened to “Peace is our Profession”. The mission however is still “to save American lives” through Deterrence. It is Deterrence that mandates the modernization of our strategic forces and why we need the Sentinel ICBM. Source: Anonymous at the request of the author.
Future to the Back?
October 1983 and HQ/SAC DP/XPM (personnel) distributed the Missile Memos to all missileers to keep them informed about the missile career field. DP was looking for Launch Officers to transfer into the tactical Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) program. GLCM bases were located in great places like Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Hmmm, let me cogitate on this...Italy near the Mediterranean or Minot near Canada? Given the opportunity to tour Europe, many missileers volunteered to be GLCM Tactical Warriors. Below is the cartoon personnel placed at the top of the Missile Memos newsletter to " illuminate" officers on what their training would be like.
PANEL #1: I'M EXCITED ABOUT OUR GLCM LAUNCH OFFICER TRAINING!!
PANEL#2: THIS IS LAUNCH OFFICER TRAINING??
Can you believe its already October! I hope you are enjoying these monthly updates. I also hope you check out our daily "This Day in Missile History" postings on Instagram @afmissileers or on our Facebook page, Association of Air Force Missileers. Here is more on what is happening in the community.
AAFM Regional meeting in Albuquerque:
Just a last-minute reminder that AAFM will host a regional meeting in Albuquerque on Thursday, October 5th at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. We’ll have a Q&A session with Col Kristen Nemish, AFNWC/CV. Activities start at 1730. This is an opportunity to talk with fellow missileers--membership is not required so bring a fellow missileer with you. To help with seating arrangements, please RSVP to Director@AFMissileers.org
Calling all artists:
As part of the 2024 AAFM National Meeting, we will honor the initial class of the Air Force Missileers Hall of Fame. As part of that, we are calling on artists to submit a design for a medallion that will be presented to each inductee. Designs should consider the heritage of those who have worn the missile badge in their design. The winning award will win an Amazon Gift Card and other recognitions. Submit all efforts NLT 28 February 2024 to Director@AFMissileers.org
Pictures needed:
As part of our upcoming book on Minuteman Artwork, we are seeking pictures of each of the duty uniforms worn by operators and maintainers over the last 60 years from the original white coveralls to the current OCPs for the operators and fatigues, BDUs etc. for the maintainers. Send all photos toDirector@AFMissileers.org and we’ll pick the best representative pictures for the book.
Start making your 2024 travel plans for Buellton:
The AAFM 2024 National meeting will be held at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton, CA 23-27 October 2024. The registration form will go live on our website in the next few weeks as we are still working pricing for a winery tour. The Marriott is ready to take your advance registration now. Click here for the hotel reservation. Please note the room rate varies by night as it is in the middle of the Fall wedding season. More details on the entire schedule will be included in the December newsletter.
eBay auction:
Thanks to the generous donation of over 35 patches from the personal collection of AAFM Life Member Col (ret) Darrell Downing, we were able to raise funds over $850 for the scholarship fund. If you have missile related items that you wish to donate for future auction, please reach out to our eBay guru, Monte Watts atmwatts@afmissileers.org
Do you recognize this item:
AAFM was contacted by an owner of a “Collectibles” store in Arizona regarding the test set pictured here. If you know what system goes with and its purpose, please reach out to me at director@afmissileers.org
“Change Your Cars Spark Plugs With the Engine Running”
In 2023 the Active-duty Air Force is projected to miss its 2023 recruiting goal by ten percent. The Minuteman ICBM force is on alert 24/7 and requires a steady pipeline of Airmen to keep Minuteman operational and nuclear deterrence credible. Our airmen leave the Air Force or retire and must be replaced!
However, when Sentinel gets closer to deployment, Airmen will still need to be trained in Minuteman security, maintenance, and operations, while also bringing Sentinel into the force. You can say, “Hey we have done this before…For example, Minuteman II to Minuteman III”. However, the difference is that the Sentinel weapon system is completely new and may have different concepts of security, maintenance, and operations. Those concepts are still being developed so we don’t know how it will come out.
Air Force ICBM history is that we have been very successful in upgrading our existing systems, for example MM III/ CDB to MM III/React. Sentinel is not just an upgrade. Sentinel is a new missile, with new technology and operating requirements.
So, the question is how to keep Minuteman III alert ready while bringing Sentinel into the ICBM deterrent force? It’s similar to trying to change the spark plugs on your car while the engine is running or how to change the battery on your Tesla while it is running. It will be a tough job, but it can be done. It can be done with people!
More people and equipment will be required to get through the transition process. Recruiting people for the ICBM force is even more important now than before. The key component of any weapon system is people. Their training and readiness to complete the mission, enhances nuclear deterrence.
You can help by reaching out in your community and share your positive experiences in the Air Force.
Want to know more: Enlisted recruitment pipeline is drying up.
“How Not to Keep Our Missileers from Reenlisting”?
A September 2023 Government Accounting Office (GAO) report found substandard living conditions for our barracks dwellers across all the services. The report titled “MILITARY BARRACKS Poor Living Conditions Undermine Quality of Life and Readiness”. Given the Air Force may not meet the recruiting goals this year, we need to retain every qualified Airmen. For our missileers assigned to our Northern tier bases, it can be especially challenging to maintain morale and readiness. All of us have been barracks dwellers during some point in our service and know the effect that poor living conditions can have on squadrons. The GAO report is an “eye-opener”. Read the Full Report At: Is This the best We Can do for Our Troops?
Just FYI: How Much is an E2 Monthly Gross Pay at FE Warren?
Basic Pay: $2,402.10
Basic Allowance for Housing: $873.00
Basic Allowance for Subsistence: $452.56
Total Monthly Income $3,727.66
Taxable portion: $2,402.10
Untaxable portion: $1,325.56
Lockheed in ‘late-stage’ Talks with Solid-Rocket Motor partner
Lockheed Martin is in “late-stage negotiations” to partner with an unnamed rocket propulsion supplier, according to CEO Jim Taiclet. Defense firms L3Harris and Northrop Grumman own the only major U.S. suppliers of solid rocket motor propulsion systems. “We are endeavoring . . . to create another supplier,” Taiclet said during a House Armed Services Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation subcommittee hearing Sept. 20. Want to know more: Accelerate Booster Production
AFGSC conducts 13N FAST Field Tests at FE Warren
For decades, missileers have used spreadsheets and localized tracking systems to maintain their schedules. Some of us can remember rooms full of whiteboards and markers strewn across desks as crew schedules were meshed together. Depending upon the problem, one crew member falling off the schedule could create a ripple effect through the entire crew force. The 13N Force Assessment Scheduling Tool, or FAST is a single-source, customizable data platform capable of accessing more than 100 Air Force data systems. It is currently programmed for 13N operational requirements but can be reprogrammed and used to support scheduling requirements for other career fields.
Want to know more: FAST Testing for Wing Scheduling
Type 1 Training has started for Grey Wolf Helicopter Operators and Flight Engineers. The Type 1 training, and the rollout of the Grey Wolf, will push the Air Force forward to increase operational capability. Pilots and engineers are training in simulators and reviewing training documents. The transition from UH-1N Huey to Grey Wolf is significant for the advances in speed, range, endurance, payload, and survivability, but it also provides an opportunity to update procedures and tactics used in the missile field for decades to come. Want to know more: Grey Wolf is Moving Forward
Recent environmental surveys, led by the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), including air and water samplings at all 45 Missile Alert Facilities, continue to discover evidence of hazardous chemicals including PCBs in some LCCs. We applaud Global Strike Commander Gen Bussiere’s direction to immediately clean up the affected sites regardless of the levels of contamination to “mitigate exposure by our Airmen and Guardians to potentially hazardous conditions”. We know the USAFSAM team is working not only to ensure our current missileers have a safe work place but also to determine the root causes of the cancers. However, these studies confirm what many who pulled alerts a few decades ago have continuously reported regarding below ground spills. As the USAFSAM study continues, the focus needs to also include the cumulative effects of all potential toxic exposures and the health impacts on those who have served in years past. As we noted in August, we highly recommend those with related health indicators register at the Torchlight Initiativewww.torchlightinitiative.org to help provide baseline data in support of this continued effort.
Chinese Nuclear Rocket Force Leadership Fired
While US general officers have been waiting since March for Senate confirmation of their promotions due to a Senator hold, China has fired its top two leaders in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force. The surprise shake-up raised questions about the inner workings at the top of the military branch overseeing the China’s powerful arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles.
The leadership change occurred as the Chinese nuclear force is expanding – creating an even more important role for the PLA Rocket Force. “These are the guys who have their finger on the nuclear trigger. They are responsible for handling and delivering China’s nuclear weapons,” said Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore.
Want to know more? Tough Times in Chinese Rocket Force Leadership
Heated Gloves at Minot?
Some of you older missileers may wonder why did it take so long to come up with a heated gloves idea in the Great White North? The idea was part of the Minot Air Force Base innovation cell, also known as Atomic Spark, the IGNITOR working group and the 5th Contracting Squadron partnered with the 54th Helicopter Squadron, maintenance, and security forces units from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing to bring another innovative solution to Team Minot…heated gloves. Team Minot’s custom glove proposal was selected by Gen. Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as the recipient of a portion of his Momentum Innovation Fund. The picture below shows some of the gloves being assessed at the working group. Some may look familiar.
Want to know more? Warm Fingers Innovation
Would Bear Grylls be Jealous?
The 40th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom AFB provides security surveillance of strategic weapon convoys and short notice emergency security forces responses. The 40th Helicopter Squadron also has a proud rescue history and currently conducts search and rescue missions in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff National Search and Rescue plan.
As one part of their rescue mission, they honed their survival skills during a non-combat survival training course in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The training prepared them for emergency landings in remote areas.
Senior Airman Chancellor Carl, 40th Helicopter Squadron special missions’ aviator, blows on a fire to grow the flames during the course in the picture below
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Patch sales support Scholarship fund.
Last week, AAFM put a series of duplicate patches donated by our member’s collections on eBay for auction with proceeds benefiting the AAFM Scholarship fund. A total of $880.64 was received during the week-long event. The 3.5” Vandenberg Space & Missile Country patch pictured here wins the prize for the highest bid for a single patch at $62.00 Similar events will be announced in the future via our Facebook account and these Dispatches.
2023 Scholarship opportunities.
The Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for semi-annual scholarships to eligible active-duty ICBM professionals to help cover additional costs related to earning their degrees. Eight scholarship awards of $500 per recipient are available to all ranks and specialties serving the nuclear deterrence mission.
While tuition assistance is designed to pay 100% of tuition costs for approved degree programs, AAFM recognizes there are additional costs that students incur due to tuition assistance limits, including application, exam and technology fees and textbook/eBook costs.
We are honored to name these scholarships in recognition of three key members of our AAFM family: Colonel Charles Simpson Founders Scholarship, Chief Master Sergeant Richard “Hawk” Hochheiser Memorial Scholarship, and Colonel Trevor Flint Memorial Scholarship.
For more information and to apply, visit afmissileers.org/scholarships. Application deadline is 31 Oct 2023.
SECAF Visits F.E. Warren
Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, and his spouse Ms. Beth Halpern, visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, in conjunction with Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD).
Kendall visited F.E. Warren to connect with 90th Missile Wing Airmen and to learn about the intercontinental ballistic missile mission and F.E. Warren AFB modernization efforts. He also spoke with city leaders about the quality of life, local challenges, and successes in the community. He also served as the Grand Marshall of the CFD parade.
Kendall hosted an all-call at the Peacekeeper High Bay, where he spoke on topics such as pay, cancer concerns and quality of life. He opened the floor for questions and Airmen were curious about BAH rates, recruiting rates, strategic deterrence, and modernization impacts.
Congratulations to Major General Mike Lutton, 20th AF Commander for being nominated for his third star. The change of command date should be announced after he is confirmed by the Senate.
Want to know more? Senate Nominations
How the U.S. Air Force Will Guard its New Sentinel ICBMs:
Air and Space Forces Magazine recently published a three-part series on the future of how Air Force security forces and missileers will guard USAF nuclear missile fields.
Part 1, Prepping for the Grey Wolf. Part 2, on the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), and Part 3, on new infrastructure and training. All three parts are now available on the AAFM web site at the following link: https://www.afmissileers.org/In-the-News.
Part 1 Summary: The Air Force will replace its Hueys with the MH-139A Grey Wolf, which can fly faster, higher, and twice as far as the Huey. The Grey Wolf can also carry 5,000 more pounds of cargo, which should give security and maintenance forces more options when responding to a crisis. Dave Barry said, “the badness of an action movie is directly proportional to the number of helicopters in the movie”…the new Grey Wolf is ready for its role as the “baddest” platform in the ICBM fields! Want to know more? Do More and Do it Longer
Part 2 Summary: ICBM Security Forces are already using the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) at the Mighty Ninety. The JLTV is billed as better in rough terrain, and better protected than the Humvee. It is also smarter, with computers in the dashboard that help Airmen keep track of their fellow defenders and build situational awareness. To see a Motor Trend comparison of the Humvee vs. the JLTV click on this link: Fast, Furious and Deadly
Part 3 Summary: Col. Deane Konowicz, Vice Commander of the 20th Air Force, said, “The challenges don’t go away, they change, so we need a trained and efficient force that understands them.” A new facility may make it easier to strike that balance. F.E. Warren will build an integrated complete with a mock launch facility where maintainers, defenders, cybersecurity specialists, and operators can practice running and securing Sentinel without stepping on the toes of an operational facility. Want to know more? Infrastructure and Training
Eating Good in the Nuclear Neighborhood
Other than defending the US, alert duty brings together groups of different Airmen for a single purpose…eating! No matter the weapon system, alert food is key to keeping morale high and missiles alert ready. Also, it’s hard to sneak up on an aggressor when your stomach is growling. In 2003 AAFM had a good series on food and missileers. You can read it at https://www.afmissileers.org/Food
The Tactical Pizza story prompted us to ask for some unique dining experiences from our members. We started with Titan and the response was amazing. Future emails will include other weapon systems. Names were omitted to protect the innocent…read on nuclear warriors:
- We had a kitchen at our site in AZ. We would catch Rattlesnakes during DSV. We used Shake-N-Bake for the coating!
- Anyone familiar with a Titan 2 air supply knows air comes from the control center, down the short cableway, through the blast lock and finally down the long cableway - exactly where we were working! All of a sudden came the smell of cooking bacon, eggs, toast, and hot coffee. The crew was going to feast on bacon and eggs. We were tired, dirty, facing a 1 1/2-hour drive to DM and mostly we were hungry too. Then the insult. Over the PA, the crew commander announces, "ALL PTS CREW MEMBERS REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE CONTROL CENTER." Great, tired, dirty, facing a long drive while hungry, and we're about to get chewed out. NOPE. That breakfast had been for us, the PTS crew. We were to ravage all that food along with the 4-man combat crew for what was heaven, had been laid out before us.
- Down in the Access Portal in the Titan II complexes, just outside of Blast Door #6, there was a small exhaust fan that was manually operated. When I got more money with promotions, I would take out a Hibachi grill and charcoal and cook steaks and burgers topside. When the weather got bad or cold, I put the grill next to the fan, close door 6 and grill in the access portal.
- I was on T2. Usually leftover from home, apple fritters from the Mad Butcher or other donuts. I always carried a chicken chow mein canned meal for getting snowed in.
- The best meal I ever had while working PTS at Little Rock was box lunches from the chow hall. It was also the worst because in my almost three years in PTS it was the only meal w had at the sits.
- I was Titan II PTS for nearly 16 years. During deactivation at McConnell our RFHCO trailers were equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. We all carried our small coolers out and we all had our favorite recipes. Mine was a "Gourmet" smothered frozen burrito on a paper plate. A couple of frozen burritos were smothered in a can of Wolfe Chili (with or without beans) and topped with a can of Fritos Cheese dip!!! Thankfully I was the PTS Task Supervisor and didn't get in RFHCO often as the farts were well...bad!!!
- Level 1 of our three-level control center in Titan II had a kitchen. We had to take out our own food. For lunch and dinner it was whatever a broke, young, Airman could afford. I ate a lot of Geno's Pizza Rolls for lunch and ham and cheese sandwiches from buying ingredients at the Commissary. Also, I ate a lot of salads as it was five heads for a buck (mid to late 70s). Had to stretch $90/month as far as it could go. The first crew I was on was great and the four of us would bring the different ingredients and the MFT and I would make breakfast while the two officers stayed on Level 2 and tidy up before we got relieved.
- For some strange reason, when I was at McConnell, our crew vehicle always malfunctioned when we came close to a grocery store.
- We dropped mandatory foil packs while I was there, and we in the 390th SMW didn't look back! As far as cooking, we would stop at a 7-11 for the non-cooks, or like me I'd stop at a grocery store on the way to alert and pick up anything from sandwiches to a steak, potatoes, and some fruit, maybe some eggs for breakfast. We had the kitchen on level 1 which was better than the kitchen in my apartment I rented off base. It was known that sometimes we would even BBQ topside. That was a weekend project. One MCCC I had fixed chicken teriyaki with all the fixens. We ate good on crew!!
- Titan II in Little Rock DOV crew. MFT would bring his own omelet pans. We had Omelets, a pound of bacon, tatter tots, and toast. Every alert, the best meals in my career.
- I was Titan II -- DIY food. To this day I avoid microwave pizza because I ate it on alert so much (pizza remains my favorite food grouping I just won't get a pizza designed for the microwave). But I had an awesome MFT who loved to fish. He brought out the filets and cooked them up in corn meal. We had all you can eat fish dinner -- I am guessing it was a Sunday alert.
- When I first got on crew in 1969, we had foil pack meals, not much choice of what food we got, we brought it to the site in big coolers. Normally we had fresh eggs for breakfast. We usually made a stop on the way to the site at a 7/11 to pick up snacks and junk food. On level 2, where the control center was, we had a hot plate for the coffee pot and the crew ate their meals there. The maintenance guys had to bring their own food to the site, and they would eat in the kitchen on level 1. As time went on, they gave us more choices and the food improved some.
- ELab team 81-85 on long test days we all would bring out food for the team. Anything from chili to lasagna to pasta dishes. Sure was good to eat good food and not junk food on shorter maintenance days.
- I remember the running joke at McConnell was the Titan 2 course meal - a large bag of Ruffles a 2-litre bottle of Pepsi. I too ate a lot of pizza rolls and tv dinners. In addition, carried a can of beef stew if we were snowed in
- Had a Greek chef on our crew in KS so we stopped at a grocery store on the way out.
Help the Red Dawgs:
The 12th Missile Squadron "Red Dawgs" at Malmstrom AFB is revamping its hallway in the administrative building. We plan to include a chronological timeline of its history and display retired missileer uniforms and various memorabilia. Please consider donating old uniforms, patches, or any pertinent information, and your name and legacy will live on while hanging on the Red Dawgs’ walls, indefinitely. We're specifically looking for the CMU-3/P "white overalls" worn from 1963 to ~1968, two piece "crew blues" worn from ~1968 to 1988, and blue flight suit worn from 1988 to 2004. If anyone is willing to donate these or other items, the ”Red Dawgs” would be sincerely grateful for your assistance in preserving its heritage! Contact Information: 2LT Nora Dachota Email: Nora.Dachota.1@us.af.mil / Civ Email: Norkat12@gmail.com
Oppenheimer:
Looking for some history on our nuclear history? Check out the new movie Oppenheimer. While AAFM can’t attest to its accuracy we thought we would share this picture from the real event: J. Robert Oppenheimer (left) and Gen. Leslie R. Groves examining the remains of a steel tower at the Trinity test site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, September 1945.(note the AF tan uniform!)
New AAFM Store Items:
Check out the new logo items in our AAFM store including our new full or subdues patches and our new ICBM history t-shirt that shows the timeline of ICBMs from Atlas to Sentinel. Available in the blue shown below or a special order olive drab dry wick that meets uniform requirements.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1767
Monument, CO 80132
Contact
The Association of Air Force Missileers
is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
