New Air Force ICBM Commander: Cultural Change Will Continue

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The new commander of the nation's land-based nuclear missiles says the Air Force has moved on from problems with misbehavior among launch officers.

Major General Anthony Cotton says he will continue to push for cultural change among the ranks.

Cotton formally took command Monday of the 20th Air Force, which includes intercontinental ballistic missile wings based at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana.

The wings oversee 450 Minuteman 3 nuclear missiles.

Problems at Malmstrom in the past couple years have included cheating on tests and drug use. The ICBM force also has suffered in recent years from low morale, disciplinary problems, lack of resources, training lapses and leadership failures.