Development Nears Malmstrom: Concerned citizens in the area around Malmstrom AFB, Mont., are worried that new retail proposals may jeopardize any chance the base would have to sustain a flying operation, reports the Great Falls Tribune. Malmstrom lost its KC-135 tanker mission in 1996 (a victim of BRAC 1995). Now, its sole primary mission is ICBMs, but some want to ensure the door is left open to resume flying operations. After all, the Minuteman III ICBM mission may well be history by 2020.
The Pentagon's list of 14 top technology priorities has been slimmed to six, to ensure they get the attention they need, Defense Research and Engineering director Emil Michael announced. Changes may be coming in authorities for funding them, as well.
