AFA to dismantle missile display
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: KOAA
It's a relic of the Cold War--an intercontinental ballistic missile that's been on display at the Air Force Academy for 36 years. The Academy plans to remove the missile, starting Wednesday.
The missile is being removed for safety reasons--it's corroding on the inside and is in danger of collapsing in high winds. “With cadets, faculty and visitors working, walking and parking near our missile display every day, we can’t risk anyone’s safety when there is even the slightest risk of collapse,” said Johnny Whitaker, Director of Academy Communications, whose office is responsible for all the Academy’s static displays. “Under advisement of experts from the National Museum of the Air Force and the Academy Memorial Board, our leadership has decided to permanently retire the missile.”
Terry Aitken, Senior Curator at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, agrees with the decision, "Missiles were never intended to remain exposed to the elements for decades and, therefore, it is a prudent decision that the Academy retire the missile from display.”
The bulk of the missile frame and shell will be disposed of as scrap metal through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office.
The Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile has been on display in front of the Cadet Field House since Dec. 9, 1971.
