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Project Information

 

Sentinel is the weapon system proposed to replace the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system. It represents the modernization of the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.

OVERVIEW

On-Base Construction

Missile Alert Facilities and Launch Facilities

  • Demolish all 45 missile alert facilities (MAFs) in the missile fields.
  • Construct a communication support building at each MAF location.
  • Construct a launch center within the property boundaries of at least 24 of the MAFs.
  • Renovate all 450 existing launch facilities in the missile fields to like-new condition.

Utility Corridors

  • Establish approximately 3,100 miles of new utility corridors.
  • Acquire 100 feet of temporary construction easements.
  • Acquire 16 feet of permanent easements to install and maintain utilities.
  • Place no aboveground permanent infrastructure within the easements.
  • Conduct activities within the 4,900 miles of existing utility corridors and easements.
  • Acquire temporary easements to supplement the existing easements during construction.

Communication Towers

  • Acquire property rights to construct 62 communication towers within the three missile fields: 18 at F.E. Warren AFB, 31 at Malmstrom AFB, and 13 at Minot AFB.
  • Construct 300-foot towers supported by guy wires.
  • Tower sites would be approximately 5 acres in size and generally be located near existing roads and utilities and avoid sensitive resources.

Temporary Workforce Hubs and Centralized Laydown Areas

  • Establish temporary workforce hubs for up to 2,500–3,000 employees (during peak construction periods) in the vicinity of Great Falls and Lewistown, MT; Kimball, NE; and Minot, ND.
  • Establish temporary construction laydown areas of about 13 acres throughout the missile fields.
  • Use workforce hubs and laydown areas for 2–5 years.

MMIII Decommissioning and Disposal

  • Remove, decommission, and dispose of the MMIII weapon system and associated facilities at F.E. Warren AFB, Malmstrom AFB, Minot AFB, Hill AFB, UTTR, and Camp Navajo.

Construction will begin on base at F.E. Warren in the summer of 2023. Off-base survey, real estate acquisition, design investigations, and construction will begin during this same time. Work will progress from F.E. Warren AFB to Malmstrom AFB and then conclude at Minot AFB. No activities at Malmstrom or Minot AFBs are scheduled at this time. Please https://www.afgsc.af.mil/Sentinel-GBSD/ to find additional information about the project, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) completed in March 2023, and on work activities scheduled to begin in Summer 2023.

Malmstrom AFB On-Base Construction

Malmstrom AFB is home to the 341st Missile Wing.

On-base actions at Malmstrom AFB would include new construction and renovation to support Sentinel command, communications, maintenance, training, and storage facilities.

 

Malmstrom AFB Off-Base Construction

  • Renovate 15 Missile Alert Facilities and 150 Launch Facilities

  • Construct 31 Communication Towers

  • Acquire easements to install and maintain 1,277 miles of new utility corridors

  • Install and maintain additional utilities within 1,750 miles of existing utility corridors

  • Establish 2 workforce hubs in Great Falls and Lewistown, MT

    • 50–60 acres in size

    • 2,500–3,000 residents during peaks for 3–5 years

  • Establish construction laydown/staging areas in Augusta, Belt, Denton, Judith Gap, Lewiston, Stanford, Vaughn, and Winifred, MT

    • About 13 acres in size

    • In place for 3–5 years

The Air Force contractor would coordinate with city and county officials before selecting sites for the temporary facilities and obtain permits as necessary to meet all local zoning requirements.

F.E. Warren AFB On-Base Construction

F.E. Warren AFB is home to the 90th Missile Wing.

On-base actions at F.E. Warren AFB and Camp Guernsey would include new construction and renovation to support Sentinel command, communications, maintenance, training, and storage facilities.

 

F.E. Warren AFB Off-Base Construction

  • Renovate 15 Missile Alert Facilities and 150 Launch Facilities

  • Construct 18 Communication Towers

  • Acquire easements to install and maintain 910 miles of new utility corridors

  • Install and maintain additional utilities within 1,611 miles of existing utility corridors

  • Establish a workforce hub in Kimball, NE

    • 50–60 acres in size

    • 2,500–3,000 residents during peaks for 3–5 years

  • Establish construction laydown/staging areas in Albin, WY; Kimball, NE; Sidney, NE; and Stoneham, CO

    • About 13 acres in size

    • In place for 3–5 years

The Air Force contractor would coordinate with city and county officials before selecting sites for the temporary facilities and obtain permits as necessary to meet all local zoning requirements.

Minot AFB On-Base Construction

Minot AFB is home to the 91st Missile Wing.

On-base actions at Minot AFB would include new construction and renovation to support Sentinel command, communications, maintenance, training, and storage facilities.

 

Minot AFB Off-Base Construction

  • Renovate 15 Missile Alert Facilities and 150 Launch Facilities

  • Construct 13 Communication Towers

  • Acquire easements to install and maintain 939 miles of new utility corridors

  • Install and maintain additional utilities within 1,531 miles of existing utility corridors

  • Establish a workforce hub in Minot, ND

    • 50–60 acres in size

    • 2,500–3,000 residents during peaks for 3–5 years

  • Establish construction laydown/staging areas in Balfour, Bowbells, Garrison, Mohall, Ruso, Stanley, and Wabek, ND

    • About 13 acres in size

    • In place for 3–5 years

The Air Force contractor would coordinate with city and county officials before selecting sites for the temporary facilities and obtain permits as necessary to meet all local zoning requirements.

Support Locations

Below are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand various aspects of the Sentinel program.

Hill AFB

On-base activities at Hill AFB would include new construction and renovation to support Sentinel maintenance, storage, and training support facilities.

 

Utah Test and Training Range

On-base activities at Utah Test and Training Range would include new construction and renovation to support Sentinel maintenance, storage, and training support facilities.

 

National Environmental Policy Act

Additional Information

CONTACT US

If you have questions about the Sentinel program, please email us at AFGSC.Sentinel.Hotline@us.af.mil, or call the Sentinel Hotline at (307) 773-3400.

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Updated September 19, 2023