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.
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.