Montana Senator Wants Answers About Missileers with Cancer

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - A recent Associated Press story brought to light the fact that several U.S. Air Force personnel who spent more than 25 years serving in the missile silos at Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls have been diagnosed with a particular form of cancer, with one fatality so far.

On the Thursday Montana Morning News program, KGVO News spoke to Montana Senator Steve Daines from his office in Washington, D.C. about the issue, of which he was already aware.

Senator Daines is Deeply Concerned about the Cancer cases at Malmstrom

“There have been nine missileers that served in Malstrom,” began Daines. “This is back in the late ’90s and early 2000s and they have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and sadly one of those missileers has passed away. Look, one of our highest priorities is to make sure we continue to protect our active duty service members as well as our veterans.”

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Senator Daines has begun communicating with the Biden Administration, asking for an investigation into this matter involving U.S. Air Force personnel serving in Montana’s nuclear missile base.

Daines has Called for an Investigation over the Cancer Cases

“I've sent a letter asking for an investigation,” he said. “We're just wondering if there is a link here between the missileers’ work at Malmstrom and cancer. I'm asking the Biden Administration to thoroughly investigate this and address any health risks facing our service members.”

Daines pointed out the vital nature of the work being done at Malstrom and at all other bases housing nuclear missiles.

“That mission at Malmstrom is one of the most important we have in the entire nation,” he said. “You think about deterrence for Vladimir Putin and the evil Russian regime. What keeps them in check and stops them from doing something irrational is the fact they know we've got this incredible firepower in Montana at Malmstrom Air Force Base.”

Daines Spoke of the Vital Nature of the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent

Daines spoke of what is called a ‘challenge coin’ presented to him during a visit to Malmstrom that he values highly, as it represents the deterrent power that the U.S. nuclear missile program represents.

“My favorite ‘challenge coin’ that I have is from the 341^st missile wing at Malstrom, and it says ‘Scaring the Hell out of America's Enemies since 1962.’ This is a really important part of ‘peace through strength’ as Ronald Reagan talked about, and that's why when I hear something going on in Malstrom believe me we want to make sure we get to the bottom of it.”

The original story from the Associated Press can be found here.