2022 also brought continued preparations for the next-generation missile for Minot AFB and other intercontinental ballistic missile bases.

B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and personnel from Minot AFB flew a mission over the North Dakota and integrated with NATO and regional partners, according to USAF E-AFAFRICA Public Affairs in February.

The 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s three B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, their support equipment, and approximately 300 personnel completed their rotation as part of the two-month long Bomber Task Force Europe mission series at RAF Fairford on April 15, 2022, returning to Minot Air Force Base, according to NATO information.

A few months later, the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron spent more than a month based in RAF Fairford, England, for a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission before returning to Minot AFB in September.

Submitted Art This U.S. Air Force illustration shows the LGM-35A Sentinel, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the new name, Sentinel, for the weapon system in April 2022.

According to a story by Senior Airman Evan Lichtenhan of 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs at Minot AFB, the BTF flew alongside a variety of NATO allies and partners, to include the Royal Bahraini, Royal Saudi, Danish, Swedish, Italian, German and Belgian Air Forces.

“Our objective was to strengthen relations with NATO allies and partners and to demonstrate our shared pledge to global security and stability,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Loucks, 23rd Bomb Squadron commander, in the story.

Next-gen missile named

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved in April 2022 naming the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent officially as the LGM-35A Sentinel.

Minot AFB is one of three missile bases in the U.S. to receive the new weapon system. F.E. Warren AFB in Wyoming and Malmstrom AFB, Montana, also are scheduled for the new missile system.

Construction is slated to begin in late 2023 at F.E. Warren AFB and will be completed somewhere in the mid to late ’30s at Minot AFB, said Michael Ackerman of Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Environmental Planning during a Zoom presentation with members of the Minot Area Chamber EDC’s Military Affairs Committee in March 2022.

Project officials said a temporary workforce hub will be set up in Minot with from 2,500 to 3,000 employees. Seven laydown/staging areas also will be set up in several area communities: Bowbells, Mohall, Stanley, Wabek, Garrison, Ruso and Balfour. These would be in place for three to five years.

The weapon system will replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles – the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad.

“We’re going to modernize everything in the Minuteman III field and bring it up to the GBSD configuration,” Ackerman said. He said on base they will be building many new structures to support the new system.