Minuteman Talk

Jan. 13, 2011

While there’s been no final decision yet, “the leading option right now” is for the Air Force to remove 10 operational Minuteman III ICBMs from each of its three missile bases in order to reach the ceiling outlined by the new US nuclear force structure, according to Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, Air Force Global Strike Command’s new commander. The Great Falls Tribune reports that Kowalski made this comment on Tuesday during a visit to Malmstrom AFB, Mont., one of the missiles bases. Like F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Minot AFB, N.D., Malmstrom hosts 150 operational Minuteman missiles. The Obama Administration announced the new nuclear force structure last May. Under it, the US will maintain “up to 420 deployed ICBMs, all with a single warhead.” It also calls for reductions in the number of nuclear-capable bombers and deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles. (See also No Minuteman Squadron Inactivation Planned from the Daily Report archives)

Related Content

Air Force’s Last Active-Duty F-15C Made Its Final Flight at Kadena

April 1, 2025
The Air Force’s last Active-Duty F-15C made its final flight earlier this year, as Kadena Air Base in Japan continues its long goodbye to the iconic fighter after more than 45 years of operations. The Eagle’s last sortie at Kadena took place Jan. 24, the base’s 18th Wing announced in…

Space Force Awards First Commercial Reserve Contracts

April 1, 2025
The Space Force took its first tentative steps last month toward leveraging commercial space providers to augment military capabilities with four small, short-term contracts to enhance space domain awareness.

New Air Force ‘Doomsday’ Wing Boosts Nuclear Command and Control

April 1, 2025
The Air Force welcomed a new wing meant to improve command and control over the military's nuclear enterprise. The 95th Wing combines command and control units from the Active-Duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve under one roof to streamline command and better advocate for resources.

More A-10s Deploy to Middle East, This Time from Idaho

March 31, 2025
Multiple A-10 attack aircraft from the Idaho Air National Guard deployed to the Middle East over the weekend. More than 300 Airmen from the 124th Fighter Wing, along with the attack aircraft, were sent to southwest Asia within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility on March 29.

Former Air Force Secretary Didn’t Include NGAD in His 2026 Budget Plan

March 31, 2025
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall wasn't planning to include the NGAD in the fiscal 2026 budget proposal, saying on a podcast that there were higher priorities. He and former Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter also say the program is structured such that there will be further competition on…

Aerial Porters Test New Gear to Load Faster, Reduce Injuries

March 31, 2025
Aerial porters at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., are trying a new technology meant to reduce strain and injury risk for “port dawgs,” the Airmen who balance math, physics, technique, and elbow grease to move heavy cargo and passengers on and off aircraft, often under difficult conditions and tight deadlines.