OGDEN, Utah -- Team Hill’s 309th Missile Maintenance Group’s Missile Mishap Recovery Team (MMRT) conducted a joint training exercise with state and local first responders at Observatory Park from May 11-14.
The four-day exercise simulated a transportation accident in a populated area involving an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) component. Air Force and civilian personnel worked together to secure the site, manage hazardous materials, refine interagency communication, and recover the component.
Military officials emphasized that routine practice is critical to ensuring a seamless joint response. Because civilian agencies would most likely be the first to arrive at the scene of a real-world transit accident, the specialized training directly benefits local first responders and the general public by establishing clear protocols, building trust, and eliminating confusion during a crisis.
Based out of Hill Air Force Base, the MMRT is a highly specialized unit and the only team of its kind in the Air Force. The group is on-call 24/7 to respond to any Minuteman III weapon system mishap—excluding the warhead—that falls outside standard technical procedures or poses significant hazards. The team conducts training exercises to maintain its rapid-response capabilities and strengthen partnerships with local communities.