In defiance of a late-night TV talk show comedian’s ridicule of the Air Force strategic missile force, airmen from the 91st Missile Wing are preparing to demonstrate their discipline and dedication with a 395-mile relay run around the huge missile complex at Minot AFB, N.D. The comedian, referring to the news stories about missileers cheating on proficiency tests, mocked the airmen’s reportedly low morale and “not pushing this big, beautiful, shiny, jolly red button” to launch ICMBs. In response, SMSgt. Jason Focht, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, organized what is being called the Red Button Run. “With this relay, we’re trying to bring the missile wing together as a whole and show everyone what we can do if we put our minds to it,” Focht said. Over three days, 39 teams of four airmen each will run 10-mile legs around the 8,500 square-mile Minot complex, hitting all 15 Missile Alert Facilities and several of the surrounding towns. To bring the entire base into the endeavor, the 5th Bomb Wing decided to hold a half marathon as the Red Button Run is ending, which also will raise funds to support scholarships for youngsters in nearby communities. (Minot release)
The Islamic State’s Khorasan branch, responsible for the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Kabul, could develop the capacity to strike outside Afghanistan within “six to 12 months,” Undersecretary of Defense for policy Colin Kahl warned. Testifying to the Senate Armed Services Committee on…