Hedging His Bets on the Missile Cuts: Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) has weighed in on the QDR-proposed Minuteman ICBM reductions, saying there will be “debate” over which missile base has to cut 50 ICBMs, but he, too, believes Malmstrom will be the loser. To offset that possibility, Burns is already working with the Air Force to reopen the base’s runway to set the stage for new missions. Burns says Air Force Secretary Mike Wynne told him an attributes study for the base is scheduled for March.
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.