Malmstrom installs last 2020 replacement booster

Published April 15, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Dillon White
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Airmen from the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron lowered the final Minuteman III solid-propellant booster, to be replaced as an extension of the Propulsion Replacement Program, into Launch Facility Juliet-09 April 6, ensuring the service life of the weapon systems at Wing One through 2020.

PRP began April, 2001, and was initially completed August 2008, replacing 450 boosters throughout Air Force Global Strike Command. Following the first 100 boosters, upgrades were made to internal components.

This recent extension program replaced those first 100, which were scheduled to be replaced by 2012 and cost approximately $13 million. Maintainers commonly call them "2012" boosters, and the replacements, "2020" boosters.

For the final upgrade, the removal of the last 2012 booster and install of the 2020 booster was accomplished by three separate teams on separate days.

"These [Missile Handling Team, Missile Maintenance Team and Electromechanical Team] technicians have overcome weather and equipment issues combined with our high ops-tempo," said 1st Lt. Brandon Grone, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron Generation Flight commander, "It's awesome to see that their hard work and dedication has paid off."

"We're relieved it's done," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Truitt, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron Missile Handling Team chief for the group that removed the final 2012 booster from Juliet-09 about the entire program. "We've put in countless 12-hour days and weather was a big factor - all the snow - but we were able to work through it. With the counties clearing roads, we were able to go out and do the jobs."

When asked what pulling the last 2012 booster was like, Sergeant Truitt said, "For me it's exciting, pulling out that missile, driving that 122,000-pound truck through 10th [Avenue] and we were the ones who had the last 2012 missile - no one else really knew, but it was cool for us. I got to drive it home, so that was awesome."

Replacement of a 68,000 pound booster begins with its arrival to Malmstrom in a transport vehicle, and a close inspection by missile handling teams for damage.

After inspection, MHT Airmen roll the 68,000 pound booster into one of Malmstrom's transporter erectors. To accomplish this, the transporters are backed up to each other, and bolted together with an interlocking plate.

The booster, cradled atop steel-wheeled carriages that traverse metal rails similar to train tracks, is slowly rolled from one trailer to the other by four Airmen.

When the team arrives at a launch facility, missile maintenance teams, also from the 341st MMXS, open the 110-ton launcher closure door, and MHT attaches the TE's trailer to the top of the LF with large bolts. This provides a solid hinge for the TE to hydraulically lift the trailer 90 degrees so Airmen can lower the booster into the LF.

Before raising the trailer, Airmen count their tools and check for any possible misplaced items, as they may fall and could potentially damage the booster or other Airmen working below in the LF. A team chief verifies all safety and required tasks are completed.

Senior Airman Josh Woods, 341st MMXS MHT technician who was a member of Sergeant Truitt's team, shared the rewards of being an MHT member.

"Just working with the missiles is a reward," he said. "I don't really think about it as much now, but when I first started -- how much responsibility is involved, they're extremely important for the security of the United States so -- it's a big thing."

Once the booster is in place, MMT and electromechanical team Airmen install the upper components of the ICBM and bring the "bird" back on alert.

Boosters

First replacement

Malmstrom installs last 2020 replacement booster