The jockeying has already started for the new Air Force Global Strike Command.

Malmstrom AFB is being considered, along with Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming, Offutt AFB in Nebraska, and Whiteman AFB in Missouri.

The newspaper at Minot makes their case. The Great Falls Tribune did a story about it. There have been stories about it in Louisiana and Nebraska and a press release from Congressman Denny Rehberg, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, and from the North Dakota delegation. I’m sure other media and elected officials will chime in with their “ideas” in the future. The final decision will be made by the end of June. It’s a big decision and it comes with about 900 new personnel.

The new command will have some “brass” in charge of it. The Great Falls Tribune reports that a “three-star general” and a “two-star vice commander” and a “few one-star directors” will be in charge of the new command. I don’t think Malmstrom has ever had a three-star general in command there, at least not in recent times.

It’s hard to say which base will get the new mission. I’d like to see it come to Malmstrom, but I think the chances may be slim. Minot already has two nuclear missions (missiles and bombers) and they have an active runway for these generals to fly in and out of. Plus, the North Dakota congressional delegation has more clout than Montana in the defense/military arena, but so does Whiteman and Barksdale.

Of course, there’s a new Administration in the White House, so all these plans could change quickly, but the jockeying is just beginning.