In defiance of a late-night TV talk show comedian’s ridicule of the Air Force strategic missile force, airmen from the 91st Missile Wing are preparing to demonstrate their discipline and dedication with a 395-mile relay run around the huge missile complex at Minot AFB, N.D. The comedian, referring to the news stories about missileers cheating on proficiency tests, mocked the airmen’s reportedly low morale and “not pushing this big, beautiful, shiny, jolly red button” to launch ICMBs. In response, SMSgt. Jason Focht, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, organized what is being called the Red Button Run. “With this relay, we’re trying to bring the missile wing together as a whole and show everyone what we can do if we put our minds to it,” Focht said. Over three days, 39 teams of four airmen each will run 10-mile legs around the 8,500 square-mile Minot complex, hitting all 15 Missile Alert Facilities and several of the surrounding towns. To bring the entire base into the endeavor, the 5th Bomb Wing decided to hold a half marathon as the Red Button Run is ending, which also will raise funds to support scholarships for youngsters in nearby communities. (Minot release)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
