The U.S. Air Force completed the removal of 50 Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles this week at Malmstrom AFB – one quarter of their mission. With the removal of the missiles, Malmstrom also lost 492 military personnel (plus family members) from the community.
Meanwhile, the world is still a dangerous place with several countries developing nuclear weapons.
The removal of the 50 missiles was first proposed in 2005-2006, but it was stopped due to some clout, at that time, from the Congressional delegation. Then, with a new more anti-military Congress taking over in 2007 and with a change in the Montana delegation’s make-up, the missile removal happened with relative ease.
Pro-Malmstrom and pro-military folks are probably getting a little tired of the rhetoric coming from Senators Max Baucus, and recently Jon Tester, in regards to their “support” of Malmstrom AFB.
For example, Max Baucus, in a September 2005 press release said:
The ICBMs should stay at Malmstrom – it’s that simple,” Baucus said. “Keeping the ICBMs at Malmstrom is about keeping good-paying jobs in our state. It’s also about ensuring Montana plays a strong role in our nation’s defense and military future.
Then on Baucus’ 2008 campaign website we find these tidbits:
Max has repeatedly been an outspoken opponent of the deactivation of missiles at Malmstrom
Max has repeatedly been a leader in bringing a new mission to Malmstrom
During Max Baucus’ watch, Malmstrom Air Force Base lost its flying mission, never received the X33 space mission, and now lost one-quarter of the missile mission. We won’t get into “game-costing fumble” Baucus committed when he tried to open the runway at Malmstrom. This is hardly the work or leadership pro-Malmstrom folks expect from a “powerful” 30-year Senator.
Then, following in Max’s shadow with sound bites trying to show a pro-military agenda, Jon Tester told us:
These Minuteman missiles are critical to our national security in the 21st Century. Max and I are working together to make sure the Secretary knows that this proposed cut isn’t good for Montana and it isn’t good for America, Tester said.
And in this article we find, “Tester aims to keep Malmstrom’s missiles”
I guess Tester’s “aim” was a little off. Way off.
With “support” like this can Malmstrom AFB remain open many more years? It’s becoming apparent to many pro-Malmstrom and military folks that Baucus and Tester may not even want the military base in Montana, and they are just paying lip service to the notion they want the base to grow. It’s time for the community of Great Falls, all of Montana, and especially the Montana media to understand that Baucus and Tester are no friends to Montana’s military.
The Western Word 
David: Thanks for your comments. That’s OK that you can’t blame Tester and/or Baucus for the loss of missiles, personnel and a little known fact – over 100 homes that were going to be built were scratched. They did not stop that either.I can and did. I can blame them because they “claimed” they were going to prevent it. They failed. I am pointing it out and showing statements they made that make them look rather foolish, and more importantly, weak on defense issues. Did I believe they could stop it like they said? Nope. They hold no key positions on defense or military committee to do much of anything about it, but they send press releases and make statements touting what they will do. Maybe they should just stick to what they actually have power with? Heck, I might even commend them once in a while. Malmstrom is now at the same level as Minot and FE Warren in the missile world. Montana has less congressional clout than North Dakota and probably Wyoming in the world of defense issues. What next, turn out the lights and lock the gate?I believe that having ICBMs in various locations is important today for our national security. The world is still a dangerous place. I think the reason for removing the 50 missiles is a little suspect (testing), because they have hundreds of missiles from bases like Whiteman and Grand Forks and there have not been that many tests. Also, the 564th was the newest squadron of ICBMs in the whole AF. Malmstrom may end up with no missiles, no RED HORSE, and just a plan for a coal to liquid plant in the middle of the base. Yuck. Thanks for your comments David – I appreciate your visit. -Jack
Two cents: I am no fan of the Democrats, but I can’t particularly blame Baucus or Tester (or any Montana official) for our losing 50 ICBMs. Rarely do I agree with Wulfgar on politics, but he’s right: this was a “national” issue — we can surely live with 50 fewer ICBMs, and the economics of these 50 missiles made them a ripe target. The 50 missiles from from the 564th Missile Squadron were constructed, maintained, and operated differently from all of the other ICBMs, and therefore cost the AF more than other ICBM units. If 50 missiles had to be cut, then it did indeed make sense for these 50 to go.Again, I am not a Democrat — but of all the things to criticize Baucus and Tester for, this ain’t one of them.
James – Thanks for the remarks. Most people see it that way. Thanks for stopping by. -Jack
Wulfgar – since you called me dishonest, you know The Western Word is not required reading, so don’t come back. It was not a dishonest attack on Tester. I pointed out what he promised and said and then the results. He failed to protect Malmstrom’s missiles after saying in 2007 that, “Every single missile in Montana plays an important role in our military preparedness, and we can’t afford to let any of them go.” I asked that you not resort to name calling and insults several times as it detracts from your argument and shows a lack of experience or fear of losing the debate. I don’t think you will find name-calling in any of my posts. Jon Tester lied to me (you too) way too many times in his two years in office (lobbyists, ethics audit, committee seats, earmarks, etc.) You have your views and I have mine. -Jack
I agree with you Jack completely. If politicians can claim “Military” accomplishments through press releases in the Media, they should have their feet held to the fire when things like this happen. Thanks Jack for this and all your posts.
Just want to clarify to you: I don’t like Baucus much. You want to rail against him, I have no problem with that. But do it honestly.I won’t defend Baucus, but I will defend Tester against dishonest attacks. On this very website you have posted “haha” posts about how weak Tester is in the Senate; and then right here you comment “If Tester says he is going to protect the missiles, we expect him to.” So which is silly? His power, or your expectation? Obviously the flip-flopping latter.Neither of these men, regardless of tenure, could have stood against the opposed will of Congress and the Department of Defense. To think they could have, to the point of blaming them for it, is a nice fantasy. I don’t live in the world of fantasy, and I just wish you wouldn’t either.You make an assumption: Neither Senator “cares for the military”. You haven’t proven it. I’d appreciate it if you’d do so. Failing to achieve an objective is no proof that one doesn’t care about it. You’ve already argued that it is … would you like to continue that line of illogic? (Oh yes, please do.)And you make another mistake. I don’t insult Conrad Burnt based on winning or losing. I insult him because I honestly dislike the man. He lied to me (you too) way too many times for me to stop insulting him. What “side won” has nothing to do with my insulting Conrad Burns. I will insult that man until the trumpets sound or the cows come home.And Yes. Cutler has the strongest arm in the NFL. If Shanahan can exploit that in an Elway kind of way, Cutler can lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
Wulfgar: Thanks for essay. Must be a slow day, but thanks for stopping by with your comments. I’m glad you got it all out and it’s a pleasure to “kinda” be liked even if you are a Broncos fan. So, let’s clear this up: Malmstrom does have a lot to do with Montana’s military. For one, the 819th Red Horse is made up of Montana Guard and active duty personnel and the 219th RED HORSE at the National Guard provides a total of one-third of the manpower and equipment of the 819th RH at Malmstrom. Google them. By the way, Burns brought the RH mission to Malmstrom and the Guard. Montana Guard and Reserve personnel are involved with Malmstrom in several other capacities like training, etc., on a regular basis. A full-fledged military base with all the amenities is available for the Guard and Reserve personnel and families to use, also. That’s very important when a member is deployed and the family has the base close by. The ICBMs are maintained by the Air Force, which is paid for through taxpayer dollars. The ICBMs they just lost are to be used for “testing” but they have been saying that for years and they have hundreds of other ICBMs from other closed missile bases that as far as I can tell have not been tested. By the way, I worked at several missile bases during my military years. “Blaming Tester and Baucus is a cheap trick.” Cheap Trick is a band I saw in concert a several times. I really like them. Rick Nielsen is a hoot in concert! If Baucus and Tester want to send out press releases trying to tout their work for Malmstrom, then they need to be called to the carpet when they say they will do something and don’t. The Great Falls Tribune won’t. The Western Word will. Frankly, neither senator cares for the military that much, but have to act like it because they can’t be anti-military. They don’t have a committee assignment that even helps the military. “Knee-walking Drunk Conrad couldn’t have done anything more” Wulfgar – you can stop the name calling. Your side won. Burns has been gone since January 2007 and there’s almost a whole congress passed by since he left. He was not even mentioned in my post. By the way, the Air Force tried to remove the missiles on Burns’ watch and it did not happen, but it happened on Tester and Baucus’ watch. Even one of the “political scientists” at the U of whatever understands that senators who are on committees get things done and can stop things from happening. Murtha representing Montana? Hey, he provides more for his district than Tester and Baucus provided for the whole state of Montana. Pork is pork when it goes somewhere else! If a senator is going to claim he is powerful, like Baucus, then we expect him/her to use that power when they claim they will. If Tester says he is going to protect the missiles, we expect him to. If these two senators would just come clean and let us know they don’t give a darn about the Montana military, we would not expect anything from them in the future. “your pseudo-hero Con-man Burns” Again, you can stop the name calling. Your side won. Montana’s military was the big loser in 2006. Since Burns was a military veteran like me, then yes I guess he would be more of hero to me than Max, Jon, and yes, Denny (I don’t count any politician as a real hero). Max Baucus was singled out because he touts his power and sends out press releases claiming crap that he did not do and Tester follows in his footsteps. Rehberg made a mistake (along with Tester and Baucus) regarding Powder River Training Area and I called him on it in a post called NIMBY.All three screwed Montana from ever getting an military aircraft mission. You won’t get me to applaud Bush on Montana military issues. He wants to start a coal to liquid plant at Malmstrom. Stupid idea. Give Malmstrom an aircraft mission, Mr. President. So the truth (of course as I see it) is that Baucus (the all powerful) and Tester the follower to the Max did not do what they claimed they would in regards to the missiles. Also, the truth as I see it is that Croyle probably won’t take the Chiefs to the show, but will Cutler take the Broncos?Nice chatting. Take care – Jack
Jack, I kinda like you (a rare thing considering you’re Chiefs fan). So all I’m really gonna ask is that you tell the truth. Quit equivocating. With the exception of the Montana Air Guard, Malmstrom has nothing to do with “Montana’s military”. Those ICBMs? They weren’t Montana’s to keep. The service personal allocated to support them? They were Montanans only in the same way that soldiers in Korea are suddenly Korean.We can disagree or agree or argue into the wee hours about the Doctrine of MAD, nuclear proliferation and everything else concerning the deployment of ICBMs in Montana. But when the Comic in Chief wants those missiles gone to pay for his vanity war, gone they will be, and are. Blaming Tester and Baucus is a cheap trick. Knee-walking Drunk Conrad couldn’t have done anything more than they have to save Malmstrom, except lobby Defense to keep the pork you conveniently aren’t reviling right now.That Baucus and Tester have ‘failed’ is a given. But they don’t have control over a national resource, do they? No. No, I ‘spect they don’t. Maybe you wish that Jack Murtha represented Montana? He seems to be able to get the Military pork just fine. So does Nancy Pelosi. The part you keep conveniently glossing over is that they seem to have more pull with Defense than any Montana Congressmen since Mike Mansfield, including your pseudo-hero Con-man Burns. Quick question with an obvious answer: Did Dennis fail as well as Tester and Baucus? Another: Why did you leave his name off your listing of shame?A National decision was made, and Montana ended up with the short end of the stick. That happens (to us, all too frequently). But the decision was made the Department of Defense (blame the President) and a complicit Congress (at least have the class to blame Pelosi.) You have no evidence that Baucus or Tester didn’t do the very things they claimed; only that it was ineffective against a superior force. You have no evidence that Conrad could have done better save coincidence of timing.Please tell the truth, (and while you’re at it please admit that there is no way Croyle can take the Chiefs to the show …)
Hey Andy – Please don’t give Tester and Baucus any ideas! They have already talked about building a coal to liquid plant on the base in the area of the runway and flight line area, which means the end to any military missions or defense contractors using the base down the road. Most folks are against it. Montana is the weakest link in having someone to look out for their military and it’s been pointed out that Tester and Baucus take campaign money from groups that are anti-military. -Jack
Perhaps we can turn the base into a wind farm or fill it with solar panels. This will solve our current energy crisis for sure!