The 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, N.D., received the highest rating—satisfactory—during a nuclear surety inspection held earlier this month at the base, reports the Minot Daily News. A visiting Air Force Global Strike Command inspector general team conducted the inspection Sept. 12-18, evaluating the wing’s ability to execute its nuclear mission to USAF’s demanding standards of compliance and accountability. The wing operates 150 Minuteman III ICBMs. Just last month, Minot’s 5th Bomb Wing, a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber unit, excelled during its own NSI.
The Air Force is launching an effort to develop a new stand-off missile with a range of 1,000 nautical miles, or 1,150 miles, that would eventually be used for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.