Russians are coming - to inspect

FRANCIS E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, UNITED STATES

02.21.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Braydon Williams 

90th Missile Wing

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is in place to circumvent the possibility of nuclear conflict between the United States and the Russian federation, and to build long lasting trust between the two nations.

New START is the agreement between the U. S. and Russia for the further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. Under START, the U.S. and Russia had seven years from Feb. 5, 2011, to meet the central limits set forth by the treaty.

According to the Department of State the limits set by the treaty are as follows:

• 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments;

• 1,550 nuclear warheads on deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments (each such heavy bomber is counted as one warhead toward this limit);

• 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments.

“New START reflects an agreement between Russia and the U.S. regarding how many nuclear assets are required to maintain our strategic deterrence while managing the costs and manpower requirements associated with operations, security and maintenance of the weapons,” said Rex Ellis, F. E. Warren AFB Treaty Compliance Office chief.

To maintain the treaty's integrity, Russians visit bases that have a direct impact on the treaty. The U.S. conducts the same types and numbers of inspections in Russia. Both countries can have inspections take place at virtually any time of the year, meaning F.E. Warren has to be ready year round.

"The purpose of the treaty inspections is to verify the data we've told them," said Ellis. "They have a total of 18 inspections they're allowed to do per treaty year. There only being 12 months in a year, they have to do one about every three weeks to get them done."

The Air Force met its requirements for New START nine months ahead of schedule on June 2, 2017, when the last of 50 Minuteman III ICBMs were removed from the F. E. Warren AFB missile complex.

“It is important for the Air Force to keep moving forward with New START because it has acted as stepping stones in building a positive relationship with Russia,” Said Col. Stacy Huser 90th Missile Wing commander. “As two world powers, the importance of good relations can’t be understated.”

• Date Taken: 02.21.2018
• Date Posted: 03.09.2018 18:36
• Story ID: 268892
• Location: FRANCIS E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, US