The museum at Peterson AFB, Colo., has a new ICBM exhibit that features a missile procedures trainer from the early days of the Peacekeeper missile program. The MPT, a self-enclosed building 32 feet by 22 feet, is a mock-up of the former Peacekeeper underground launch control center. It was used to teach missile crews how to effectively and safely operate the Peacekeeper weapon system and then maintain their chops once trained. The museum acquired the trainer from surplus. The Air Force retired the last Peacekeeper missiles in 2005 and now operates exclusively a fleet of Minuteman III ICBMs. (Peterson report by Ed White)
Lockheed Martin is withdrawing personnel who support Iraq’s F-16 fleet from a major operating base because of threats from militias in the region, a step that will likely limit the fleet’s operations. The move comes after contractors left Balad Air Base in recent months because of the threat from Iranian-backed…