Air Force secretary announces two key unit moves

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley announced June 10 that the 798th Munitions Maintenance Group will beddown at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Additionally, he announced the transfer of the 498th MUMG headquarters staff from Kirtland AFB, N.M., to Whiteman AFB, Mo.

The beddown of the 798th MUMG is an important step toward establishing support for Air Force Global Strike Command, which was provisionally activated at Bolling AFB, D.C., in January.  AFGSC is the lead major command for Air Force nuclear operations.

The 798th MUMG will consist of a command element and support staff of approximately 10 to 12 people performing administrative functions. Officials from Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB will provide major-command-level support to the 798th MUMG and its assigned squadrons.

The 798th MUMG is expected to be officially established this summer. Once complete, the group will assume command of four munitions squadrons: the 14th Munitions Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., the 15th MUNS at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., the 16th MUNS at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. and the 17th MUNS at Minot AFB. The activation and assumption of command for these squadrons will take place later this year.

Five bases were surveyed as potential beddown locations for the 798th MUMG. They were Vandenberg AFB, Malmstrom AFB, Minot AFB, Kirtland AFB and F.E. Warren AFB.  Minot AFB was selected as the beddown location based on site survey findings in conjunction with input from installation personnel. As required by the National Environmental Protection Act, an environmental impact analysis also was completed.

Approximately 12 people will transfer from the 498th MUMG headquarters to Whiteman AFB, the home of the B-2 Spirit bomber, to give group leaders important exposure to bomber operations. Additionally, this transfer allows bomber experts to interface with AFNWC and MUMG leaders on a daily basis. Taken with the standup of the 798th MUMG, Air Force officials are taking critical steps in the integration of all "sustainment" functions within Air Force Materiel Command.

Following the Fall 2008 CORONA Conference, and as part of the ongoing efforts of Air Force leaders to reinvigorate the nuclear enterprise, the service's secretary and chief of staff issued direction to align all weapon storage areas in the continental U.S. under AFNWC. This realignment provides enhanced oversight and standardization for nuclear weapons maintenance, storage, accountability and control.