F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Following a successful Simulated Electronic Launch of Minuteman III test Feb. 9 and 10, several teams from the 90th Missile Wing worked together to ensure missiles postured for the SELM test were rapidly put back on alert.
The teamwork and technical prowess showcased by the Mighty Ninety assured the wing’s full combat capability was returned in a quick and efficient manner.
“Preparation for the re-posture began as far back as the beginning of the SELM preparations,” said Maj. James Boehm, 319th Missile Squadron assistant director of operations. “All the groups worked together to ensure there was proper manning and expertise to execute all required actions.
Squadrons within the 90th Security Forces Group, 582nd Helicopter Group, 90th Maintenance Group and 90th Operations Group were respectively tasked during the re-posture missions with providing security, delivering aerial support for convoys to the missile field, re-establishing connections at sites and ensuring sites were brought back to full alert status.
The re-posture began with planning and coordination between the various squadrons.
“It was clear from the beginning of the SELM preparation on what we needed to do,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Johnson, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron commander. “That clear guidance allowed everyone to have the proper ability to respond to mission needs in a timely manner.”
The 790th MSFS was tasked with providing security for maintainers as well as supporting convoys to and from the missile field.
Johnson said the squadron is always postured for support seven days-a-week and that flexibility allowed defenders to be where they were needed.
“When it came to providing support for the SELM and re-posture, it was all in a day’s work for us,” he said. “The flexibility of our mission allowed us to adapt to and overcome all limiting factors.”
The defenders worked with the 582nd HG to provide timely responses and ensure aerial support was available during convoys and site security.
“We provided the convoy commander additional situational awareness,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Bowman, 582nd HG deputy group commander. “We provided increased flexibility for him to move fire teams around the area. It’s the most important mission we do here.
Communication between the defenders and the helicopter group was vital in certifying that support was readily available, Johnson said.
While the defenders ensured sites were properly secured, maintainers with the 90th MXG were tasked with getting each launch facility back on alert status.
The missile maintenance teams and the electro-mechanical teams re-established connections at sites, returning them to full alert status.
“It’s a two part setup, that requires MMT to go to a site and remove the test equipment and then EMT comes in and finishes the job,” said Master Sgt. Curtis Brooks, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron resources flight chief. “It takes a lot of coordination, the right equipment and training to get this done.”
A missile maintenance team consists of five Airmen, each skilled in a specialized task, said Staff Sgt. Arthur Wartella, MMT team chief.
“What makes MMT’s a little bit different is that nobody can do anyone else’s job,” he said. “That creates a lot of specialization, which makes us very proficient. We have the right people doing the right jobs.”
In order to accomplish the tasks, the Airmen rely on preparation and individualized training so they are always ready.
“This re-posture shows exactly what our technicians are capable of doing,” Brooks said. “Not only can we successfully do this test, but we can also get into the missile complex to get these sites back up on alert status at a moment’s notice.”
To guarantee the sites were properly brought to alert status, missileers from the 90th OG monitored and checked the messaging capabilities of each site.
“The main goal of missileers was to perform their day-to-day operations,” Boehm said. “We were tasked with sending messages to each site to ensure connections were correct and the sites were brought back to full alert.”
Each site required consistent surveillance from the missileers and open communication while maintainers worked.
“Both groups worked hand-in-hand to ensure it was completed in a timely manner,” he said. “Even when faced with the Wyoming weather, everyone worked together to achieve our goals.”
The network of Airmen was the key in the success of the mission, Boehm said.
“The most important part was the support between all the groups involved,” Boehm said. “Without the support and camaraderie we have with each other we would not have been able to get the work done as effectively as we did.”
For information on the SELM, read Mighty Ninety demonstrates weapon system reliability.