January DropZone 2014 | Page 5

including: a guidance replacement program, a propulsion replacement program, single reentry vehicle, and safety enhanced reentry vehicle. There has been about 7 billion dollars spent on this specific mission, upgrading the 450 Minuteman III missiles, over the past decade.

The Airmen whose job it is to take care of and maintain these missiles so that they are properly working and ready to go if ever necessary, requires dedication and focus. These Airmen do a lot to maintain peace with other countries, as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also commented. He stated, “There is no more noble profession in the world than your profession to keep peace in the world.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit came about so that he could really understand the jobs that these Airmen do. He states that he believes “it is important for leadership to actually come to the actual work site to see the job instead of just relying on reports.” After making his rounds, he spoke to the top performing Airmen to commend them on the job that they are doing and to display gratitude towards them from himself and the president as well.