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Lawmakers renew vow to fight missile removal

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Montana’s congressional delegation vows to fight a Pentagon plan to remove 50 of the 200 land-based missiles under control of Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester and Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg say they want to investigate the military’s rationale for cutting the missiles and take congressional steps to block the action if they’re not satisfied. At the same time, they said, they’ll keep pitching for new Malmstrom missions.

“I found the report weak on reasons to eliminate the 50 missiles, and I’ll ask Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne tough questions next week about how it would impact security,” Baucus told the Great Falls Tribune in a story published Sunday. “I will fight this until the missiles are pulled out of the ground.”

Rehberg said the Pentagon has a built-in advantage, since it’s up to the Montana delegation to persuade colleagues quickly because the missile removal could begin in less than two months.

He said the Montana congressional delegation will work closely with “missile state allies” in North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah to question the security risks and actual savings of removing the missiles, in addition to stressing its harm to the Great Falls economy.

The Air Force estimates that deactivating the 564th Missile Squadron would eliminate 500 of the Great Falls base’s 3,600 military positions and save $3 million a year in operating costs.

A few Great Falls business leaders are suggesting the delegation use the expected loss of the missile squadron to help persuade military leaders to consider other missions for the base.

“We’re hoping for a mission with more longevity that will be a key to the military’s future force structure,” said Great Falls Airport Director Cynthia Schultz.

Chip Beck, a retired Air Force colonel and chairman of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, agreed this could be an opportunity for Montana to step forward and solicit missions to offset the significant loss of a missile squadron.

“There may be certain political maneuvers to drag the decision out,” Beck said. “But when senior military commanders determine those missiles are excess to U.S. defense needs, it’s difficult to make a strong case to reverse the decision.”

Tester believes Malmstrom is well-placed to play a role in protecting the long northern border, possibly with unmanned “drone” aircraft.

Rehberg said the delegation is still working to reopen Malmstrom’s runway, closed in 1997, for potential flying missions. He thinks there also could be roles for the Great Falls base to play in homeland security and cyber-defense, a new area that involves monitoring enemy satellite and computer communications.

“We think Malmstrom and its personnel are regarded with respect by the military, so the delegation is looking for any opportunity we can to land new missions,” Rehberg said.

Baucus also has made plenty of phone calls and visits in search of new missions, but said he “will focus my energy on fighting for the 50 missiles” for now.

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