MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – A ground-breaking ceremony is planned for Tuesday at Minot Air Force Base for the new Helicopter Operations Facility.

An $80-140 million Military Construction (MilCon) project, the facility will house the 54th Helicopter Squadron and its new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, along with the tactical response force.

The Grey Wolf helicopter is a multi-mission aircraft designed to protect intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and transport U.S. government officials and security forces.

The helicopters will replace the Vietnam-era Bell UH-1N Huey helicopters used to protect the ICBM missile fields around Minot AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

The Department of the Air Force previously announced Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, is a fourth location to host MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to replace Hueys and support missions in the National Capital Region.

Boeing was scheduled to begin production of the first 13 MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters under a $285 million contract with the Air Force, according to an announcement earlier this year. Up to 84 may be built to replace the Hueys.