Rocket and Rolling: Minuteman III 341st Missile Wing in Montana +Video

With the backdrop of recent military tension between the United States and North Korea, and escalating rhetoric from the North Korean regime, the report highlights the mission of the missile crews and support personnel at Malmstrom.

Reporter Liz Hayes gets to fly on a Malmstrom helicopter, tour a missile alert facility, interview two missileers, and talk with Colonel Ron Allen, the commander of the 341st Missile Wing.

Later in the segment, Hayes visits Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and profiles the venerable B-52 bomber.

Hayes also talked with Leon Panetta, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The 341st Missile Wing maintains and operates 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are secured in underground silos across north-central Montana.

Published on Aug 20, 2017

Dangerous times are set to become even more volatile when war games involving tens of thousands of US, South Korean, and a handful of Australian troops begin on the Korean peninsula next week.

One thing is certain: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un won’t be happy about this show of military muscle near his border. Kim is a despot who uses unpredictability and impulsiveness as additional weapons to his growing arsenal of nuclear-capable missiles, so his next step is considered cause for deep concern. Of course the man staring down the rogue leader is not shy either when it comes to belligerence. President Donald Trump has warned Pyongyang that the United States is “locked and loaded”, ready to unleash “fire and fury” if it or its allies is attacked. On 60 MINUTES, Liz Hayes gets unprecedented access to the American military’s nuclear facilities to find out if President Trump’s rhetoric is matched by firepower. 
Reporter: Liz Hayes