The Air Force has given “formal direction” to the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., to begin deactivating 50 of its 200 Minuteman III ICBMs and five alert facilities. The Air Force publicly identified Malmstrom earlier this year as the missile unit that would lose 50 ICBMs under a Quadrennial Defense Review mandate to downsize the ICBM force from 500 to 450 missiles. Malmstrom is the only unit with two types of systems, requiring different training and support.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
