Air Force Chooses Six Bases for Railroad-Based MX Missiles
The Air Force has chosen bases in six states--Louisiana, Texas, Washington, North Dakota, Arkansas and Michigan--as sites for the railroad-based version of the MX nuclear missile, Defense Department sources said today.
The sites are: Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Dyess AFB, Tex.; Fairchild AFB in Washington; Grand Forks AFB, N.D.; Little Rock AFB, Ark., and Wurtsmith AFB, Mich., the sources said.
Fifty of the 10-warhead MX missiles are to be taken from silos at Warren AFB in Wyoming and placed on 25 trains, each with two MX missiles aboard, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The missiles are to be kept at the military sites and moved out onto civilian railroad tracks in time of crisis.
Ten sites had been under consideration. Those not chosen included Eaker AFB in Arkansas; Malmstrom AFB in Montana; Minot AFB, N.D.; and Whiteman AFB, Mo., the sources said.
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