The Great Falls Tribune reports that the missile folks at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., are “off to a good start” shedding themselves of the 50 Minuteman III ICBMs and alert facilities the Air Force (and the last Quadrennial Defense Review) mandated the 341st Space Wing cut. Community officials near those missile sites are seeking a $500,000 grant from DOD to help them adjust to the loss of some 500 personnel and the road subsidies the communities received. Meanwhile, as we reported earlier this month, Montana lawmakers are trying to work a Total Force arrangement that might lead to reopening the Malmstrom runway.
Top lawmakers on Capitol Hill announced Dec. 2 that they have reached a deal to extend the continuing resolution currently funding the government into February. Now, the House and Senate will have to scramble to pass the legislation by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 3 to avoid a temporary shutdown.