Air Force proposes expanding Minot ICBM missile field

Local News Air Force proposes expanding Minot ICBM missile field By ELOISE OGDEN November 12, 2026 3 min read Trending MINOT AIR FORCE BASE - The U.S. Air Force is proposing an expansion of the Minot missile field that may include new launch silos. This would involve the purchase of more land for the Minot missile field. "To support the ongoing transition to the new Sentinel ICBM program, the Air Force is proposing a local expansion east and west of the Minot missile field that may include constructing up to 60 new launch silos and 10 launch centers. This proposal aims to balance this review with a strict approach to minimizing impacts to private property,” Maj. Tom Barger, chief of Public Affairs at Minot AFB, said. "The Air Force remains committed to working in tandem with local landowners fairly, equitably and transparently, and we look forward to sharing further details throughout this 30-day public comment period on the Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives (DOPAA) Notice of Intent and beyond." He said public comments can be made at the website: https://www.sentinelseis.com/ or sent to the email: [email protected]. Include Sentinel SEIS in the subject line. Thirty new launch silos also are proposed for F.E. Warren AFB missile field and another 30 new launch silos at Malmstrom AFB missile field, according to the Sentinel Deployment and Minuteman III Decommissioning and Disposal Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS Sentinel SEIS). The Sentinel weapon system, originally known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is a project that includes replacing all land-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles deployed in the continental United States with Sentinel ICBMs. The project would be in the missile fields and on-base at F.E. Warren Air Force Base AFB in Wyoming, Malmstrom AFB in Montana and Minot AFB. According to the DEIS Sentinel SEIS, all components of the Minuteman III missile would be replaced, including the three motors, two interstages, propulsion system rocket engine and missile guidance set. The number, size, configuration and design of the nuclear warheads provided by the Department of Energy would remain unchanged. The U.S. Air Force will host a series of four Sentinel Program town halls in Wyoming and Nebraska, starting Nov. 30 and continuing into early December to provide updates on the Sentinel ICBM modernization program, according to DEIS Sentinel SEIS information. Representatives will present the latest information on the status of the Sentinel ICBM program in the region, address community questions and discuss infrastructure planning with local residents and landowners. The transition from Minuteman III to the Sentinel ICBM requires new silos, launch silos and support facilities. The Air Force needs access to local property for environmental analysis, land surveys, appraisals, and to assess construction locations to support construction and system deployment needs, according to DEIS Sentinel SEIS.