ICBM force commemorates half century of national security

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jennifer Viveiros
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  The commanders of Air Force Space Command, Air Force Global Strike Command and Twentieth Air Force discussed the past, present and future of nuclear deterrence during the 50th anniversary of the ICBM commemoration here Oct. 8. 

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, AFSPC commander; Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander; and Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, 20th AF commander, took a short break from the anniversary events to discuss the significance of the ICBM force and the role it plays in the nation's defense. 

General Kehler opened with a statement recognizing the Airmen who perform the ICBM mission, which remains on alert 24 hours a day. 

He went on to say, "The Air Force owes 50 years of success to its visionary leaders and technical experts, the people who we are honoring with this 50-year celebration. 

"These pioneers designed and employed the deterrence mission and influenced the standard of perfection that we still strive to achieve every day," he added. 

General Burg highlighted why the Air Force's ICBM mission has been so successful. 

"The first reason is because of dedicated, professional Airmen," he said. "From the day the first system was placed on alert in 1959 until today, nothing could have happened without these Airmen." 

"Second, is incredible technology," he added. 

According to General Burg, ICBMs are reliable, precise, low maintenance and completely capable of performing the deterrence mission. General Kehler reiterated the capability of the ICBMs force in his closing statements. 

"This is what we stress: The ICBM force is always doing its job. Its job is to deter, and that's that what it's doing on a day-in, day-out basis," he said. 

"It's also there to assure allies every day, all the time," he added. "This force remains the ultimate backstop of our nation's strategic defense. We remain committed to the highest standards of reliability. We will do everything we can to operate, maintain, secure and sustain our nation's ICBM force. This is a commitment we've had for the last half century, and it's a commitment we will make to the American people as long as we're going to have weapons like this in the future."