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Sentinel Deployment & Minuteman III

Decommissioning and Disposal

 

Overview

Welcome to the Air Force’s Sentinel Deployment and Minuteman III Decommissioning and Disposal Project Environmental Permitting and Compliance information website. The Sentinel weapon system addressed in this website was formerly known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD). This website hosts all public facing information related to the project and is intended as a resource for sharing the most up to date information on the Sentinel Deployment for outside agencies, landowners affected by the project, and the general public. As the Sentinel project moves forward, this website will be updated with additional information and can be accessed anytime throughout the duration of the project.

The project includes replacing all land based MMIII ICBMs deployed in the continental United States with Sentinel ICBMs. All components of the MMIII 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Q1: Why does the Air Force want to access my property?

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.

 

Q2: What will my property be used for?

 Your property has the potential to either be used for new silos, launch centers, fiber optic communication lines, temporary support sites adjacent to existing sites or as a location for a Sentinel communications tower. In most cases, (fiber optic line installation or construction laydown yards), property usage will be temporary, but in some cases the Air Force will require new permanent easements for new fiber optic lines, or for new silos or other infrastructure.  

 

Q3: What will happen if the Air Force determines it wants to use my property?

The Air Force is utilizing the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as its purchasing agent.  A USACE Realty Specialist will reach out to you in advance and provide detailed information regarding the desired amount and location of land to be used for the Sentinel program. After conducting an appraisal to determine the fair market value, the basis for just compensation, USACE will offer to purchase the necessary interest in your land to support Sentinel deployment.

 

Q4: How do you determine fair market value?

Just compensation is generally construed to be the fair market value of the property.  An approved appraisal is generally determined by an independent professional real estate appraiser in accordance with appropriate state and federal regulations.  The Air Force, or its authorized representative, will use this real estate appraisal as a basis for establishing the value of any real estate interest.

 

Q5: Why my property? Why not go around?

The Air Force is trying to avoid using more private land than is necessary for the completion of the Sentinel program, but it is very likely that the use of some additional private property is necessary for Sentinel. The Air Force will use existing easements to the maximum extent possible.  However, there may be circumstances that require the Air Force to re-route fiber optic communication lines if required by the final design.

 

Q6. If I sell my land, will I be able to lease it back?

Fiber optic communication easements will allow the landowner to use their land or lease the property to additional parties, so long as the Government’s right to maintain and operate a fiber optic communication easement on that property is not impacted.

 

Additional Information

CONTACT US

If you have questions about the Sentinel program, please email us at AFGSC.Sentinel.Hotline@us.af.mil.

You may also call the Sentinel Hotline for the following locations:

F.E. Warren AFB: (307) 773-3400

Malmstrom AFB: (406) 731-2427

MORE NEWS

 

Current as of July 2025.