|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
 |
 |
    |
|
|
|||
 |
|
||
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Peacekeeper Deactivation in Final Stages
All U.S. Peacekeeper strategic missiles, capable of carrying 10 nuclear warheads each, are scheduled to be deactivated by mid-September, the Star-Tribune reported yesterday (see GSN, June 2). Smaller Minuteman 3 missiles are expected to remain in the U.S. arsenal, according to military officials. The Minuteman 3 can carry three warheads and travel to any location in the world in 30 minutes, according to the Star-Tribune. “Dismantling the Peacekeeper is exactly the right thing to do,” said 90th Space Wing commander Col. Mike Carey, who is stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo. “Its deactivation is a victory for deterrence.” Reporters earlier this month were permitted to visit one of the three remaining missile sites in Wyoming and witness removal of guidance and re-entry systems. Until deactivation of the 50-missile Peacekeeper force is completed, Air Force personnel will continue to be prepared to launch. “All of our remaining missiles must be ready to launch at any time, up until the last missile is taken out,” said Lt. Col. David Bliesner. "Once the launch order has been verified by two different launch commands, there is no possibility of recall.” The Minuteman 3 provides the same deterrence as the Peacekeeper, even though the Minuteman is less powerful, according to the Star-Tribune. “The world is a much more complicated place” than it was during the Cold War, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Frank Klotz. “The number of threats is more varied” (John Morgan, Star-Tribune, Aug. 16).
| ||||||||||
Back to top
