Standing Tall

Air Force officials on Aug. 11 dedicated a Minuteman III ICBM that went on permanent display at Peterson AFB, Colo. The missile stands near the base’s north gate. It is meant to honor the missileers of the past 50 years who have defended the nation as well as those airmen who perform the strategic nuclear deterrent mission today. “This wonderful display behind us is a tremendous legacy to the operational force that we have out there today, and the commitment of the men and women whom operate, sustain, secure, and maintain it,” said Gen. Robert Kehler, head of Air Force Space Command. The missile is painted in its operational color pattern instead of the white color scheme used on many static displays and carries six wing emblems from the past and present. AFSPC is transferring control of the Minuteman III force later this year to Air Force Global Strike Command, the service’s new nuclear-centric command that activated on Aug. 7. (Peterson report by Thea Skinner)