Throw Nothing Away

Those 50 ICBMs pulled from silos once operated by the now-inactivated 564th Missile Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., probably will serve as test vehicles to help extend the life of remaining Minuteman III missiles, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton told reporters last week at Malmstrom. Although he said he’s not a prognosticator, the commander of US Strategic Command declared, “I know that we need all the remaining 450 ICBMs,” according to a report in the Great Falls Tribune. There has been talk of further cuts to the land-based nuclear missile force. Chilton cautioned that the intent to destroy us may have vanished with the end of the Cold War, but “a nation’s intent can change overnight, which highlights the need for us to be ready all the time.”