Minot Air Force Base is among three existing missile bases for construction activities of the new Ground Based Strategic Deterrence. GBSD is a new weapon system to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Air Force announced the plans on Friday to begin military construction activities as early as 2023 at F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming. Malmstrom AFB in Montana will be the second installation to begin the military construction activities in 2026 and Minot AFB beginning in 2029.

Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles are located in underground facilities in the Minot missile field in an area covering several counties.

The GBSD construction dates are pending the completion of Environmental Impact Statements for each base in accordance with federal laws and policies, according to the Air Force.

“Minot Global Strike civic leaders were briefed yesterday in a ZOOM call with Commander AFGSC (Air Force Global Strike Command) General Tim Ray on the GBSD construction sequencing plans just announced,” said Mark Jantzer, chairman of Minot’s Task Force 21, on Friday.

Task Force 21 is Minot’s base retention and new mission committee.

“We discussed the many moving pieces and considerations taken into account by the OSD (Office of Secretary of Defense), Air Force, and industry partners,” Jantzer said. “There are only three ICBM bases, and maximizing continued ICBM deterrence and readiness while the transition takes place is critical. Someplace has to be first, and someplace else last. We received assurance and are confident that being last is not a negative reflection on Minot, but rather that the 91st Missile Wing at Minot is critical to providing continued operational stability. We always expected the construction phase to start about 20-25, so this is only four years later.

“The 2029 to 2038 years will be a significant positive economic impact to the Minot area as construction takes place. We continue to vigorously support the modernization of the ICBMs as well as the other two legs of the Triad,” Jantzer said.

According to Air Force Global Strike Command information, military construction is phased ahead of the actual deployment of GBSD to allow time for initial beddown, ensure facilities are ready for any unique mission equipment, and support training and operational certification prior to the first sites obtaining operational status at each wing.

“Using infrastructure at current locations allows both the Minuteman III and GBSD weapons systems to continue meeting all nuclear surety and safety standards throughout their operational lives, particularly during the transition period,” the information said.

“Ensuring missile bases remain missile bases makes the most sense for the taxpayer and the mission,” said Gen. Tim Ray, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. “The Minuteman III is 50 years old; it’s past time to upgrade the missile systems. Our goal is ensure our systems remain fully safe, secure and effective in the defense of our nation and allies.”

Air Force Global Strike Command, with headquarters at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, is comprised of more than 33,700 airmen and civilians assigned to two numbered air forces, 11 wings, two geographically-separated squadrons and one detachment in the continental United States, and deployed to locations around the globe. The command oversees two-thirds of the nation’s nuclear weapons including all bomber and ICMB operations for the U.S. Department of Defense.