U.S. Air Force Deactivates Peacekeeper Missiles

The U.S. Air Force yesterday deactivated the Sierra Launch Control Center at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, leaving only 13 of its original 50 MX “Peacekeeper” missiles operational, the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle reported (see GSN, May 7).

The Air Force began deactivating the Peacekeeper in October 2002 as part of U.S. reductions to its strategic nuclear arsenal. The Air Force is expected to complete deactivation of the missiles, which were activated in 1988 and can carry 10 independently targeted nuclear warheads, by October 2005, according to the Tribune-Eagle.

Sierra is the first launch control center to be deactivated and five more are scheduled to follow suit, beginning with the Romeo Launch Control Center later this month, according to Lt. Col. Dave Bliesner, commander of the 400th Missile Squadron.

F.E. Warren Air Force Base is expected to continue operating 150 Minuteman 3 missiles (Kelly Etzel Douglas, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Dec. 8).

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