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 21^st 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.