Def
ense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld believes it’s only prudent to employ ICBMs with conventional warheads to counter threats by weapons of mass destruction. Rumsfeld, who was speaking at a news conference Sunday in Alaska with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, asserted that such a capability would entail a communications link with Russia and cooperation. He said, “If either of our countries … were threatened in the future with a weapon of mass destruction, … I think any president would like to have available a conventional weapon that could attack that target swiftly and accurately and precisely.” According to Reuters news service, Ivanov hesitated, saying other options might be possible. A DOD news release quoted Ivanov as calling for “transparency and predictability, as well as mutual respect.”
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
