Senators to Biden: Maintain Malmstrom’s mission

Meeting with Vice President, Baucus and Tester urge ‘tough and smart’ defense

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today delivered a unified message at the White House: Malmstrom Air Force Base plays a critical role in America’s national security and its mission should not be diminished.

The Senators met with Vice President Joe Biden to make the case that a robust national defense should include the current number of land-based Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles. 

One-hundred and fifty of the nation’s 450 long-range nuclear missiles are housed in underground silos throughout central Montana.

Today’s meeting came as the administration works to complete a new nuclear treaty with Russia and its Nuclear Posture Review—a periodic analysis of America’s nuclear force required by Congress.

“The missiles housed at Malmstrom are essential to America’s national defense,” Baucus said.  “The men and women at Malmstrom play a key role in our national security.  There is no one better for that job than the folks who have dedicated themselves to the mission at Malmstrom and the security of our country, and we want it to stay that way.  You can bet Jon and I are going to keep up the drum beat—this is just so important.”

“For 50 years, Malmstrom’s Airmen have worked tirelessly to make sure the world’s most powerful weapons remain secure and ready if, God forbid, the worst were to happen,” Tester said.  “This is about keeping America safe, and keeping our security tough and smart.  We’ll keep working together to make sure the folks in Washington understand how important it is to keep our missile force as strong as it is today.”

Baucus and Tester today told the Vice President that maintaining the nation’s current land-based missile force is a relatively cost-effective way to keep America’s national security strong. 

They added that any further cuts may impact recruiting and retaining highly skilled Airmen and officers.