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U.S. Air Force

Missile Squadrons

The missileers who stand watch over America's land-based nuclear deterrent. Minuteman III ICBMs in hardened silos across Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. 24/7/365. No fail.

Missile
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Missile Wings / ICBM / Nuclear Deterrence
Peace Is Our Profession Est. 1958
MISSILE
AFGSC
Missile Squadrons
ICBM Operations / Nuclear Deterrence
ICBM
Intercontinental BM
LGM-30G
Minuteman III
400
Deployed Missiles
Sentinel
LGM-35A REPLACEMENT
Missile squadrons operate the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad. Approximately 400 Minuteman III ICBMs sit in hardened silos spread across three missile wings in Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Two-officer crews pull 24-hour alerts in underground Launch Control Centers, prepared to execute a launch order from the President within minutes. The mission has not changed since the first Atlas ICBMs went on alert in 1959. Deter nuclear attack. If deterrence fails, deliver a devastating response. Read more
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Atlas to Sentinel 1959 - Present
MINUTEMAN
LGM-30G
Minuteman III
50+ Years on Alert
LGM-30G
Minuteman III
1970
First Deployed
3 RV
MIRV Capable
50+
YEARS ON ALERT
The Minuteman III has been on continuous nuclear alert since 1970. Each missile carries up to three independently targetable reentry vehicles. The three missile wings are the 90th MW at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, the 91st MW at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and the 341st MW at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Missileers pull 24-hour alerts underground, maintaining the readiness of a weapon they pray they never have to launch. The deterrent works only if it is always ready. Read more
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SENTINEL
GROUND BASED STRAT DET
LGM-35A Sentinel
The Minuteman Replacement
LGM-35A
Sentinel ICBM
Northrop
Grumman Prime
2030s
Deployment Target
GBSD
GROUND BASED STRAT
The LGM-35A Sentinel is the replacement for the Minuteman III, developed by Northrop Grumman under the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program. Sentinel will use the existing silo infrastructure but deliver a completely new missile with modern guidance, propulsion, and command and control systems. The program is critical because Minuteman III is reaching the end of its service life and cannot be life-extended further. Sentinel ensures the ground-based deterrent survives into the 2070s. Read more
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400
Deployed ICBMs
24/7
Alert Posture
AFGSC
Global Strike Command
Sentinel
GBSD Replacement