Sept. 2, 2026 Senior AFGSC leaders see Sentinel program advancements The Air Force’s senior leaders charged with overseeing the service’s nuclear enterprise took part in a two-day immersion at Hill AFB, gaining insight into how AFGSC and its mission partners at Hill AFB and Northrop Grumman are fielding the Sentinel ICBM.
Aug. 31, 2026 Initial operating capability of MH-139 Grey Wolf announced AFGSC announced that the MH-139 Grey Wolf has officially achieved Initial Operational Capability as of Aug. 10, ushering in a new era of modernization for AFGSC’s nuclear security operations.
March 24, 2026 Air Force leaders visit Minot AFB to advance Sentinel modernization The visit focused on ensuring alignment between program development and operational execution as the Air Force prepares to transition from the Minuteman III system to the LGM-35A Sentinel.
March 4, 2026 ICBM test launch verifies multiple re-entry vehicle, system reliability Air Force Global Strike Command conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with two test re-entry vehicles at 11:01 p.m. Pacific time March 3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Jan. 13, 2026 MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters complete 1st operational ICBM convoy security mission Two MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron conducted their first operational Minuteman III ICBM convoy Jan. 8, marking an important milestone in the modernization of nuclear security operations.
Nov. 5, 2025 Air Force validates reliability, readiness of ICBM force with Minuteman III test launch The test, designated GT 254, evaluated the ongoing reliability, operational readiness, and accuracy of the ICBM system, a cornerstone of America's national defense.
Sept. 4, 2024 USecAF, DAF senior leaders, congressional staff delegation visit Malmstrom AFB Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, AFMC Commander, joined Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, DAF senior leaders and a Congressional staff delegation on a visit to Malmstrom AFB to better understand current missions and operations and to emphasize the strategic importance of ongoing nuclear
Aug. 16, 2024 Sentinel: The History of the DAF Modernizing the Backbone of America’s National Security The U.S. Air Force is replacing the 54-year-old LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Upgrading to Sentinel ICBMs ensures the land-based leg of America's Nuclear Triad remains safe, secure and effective.
July 8, 2024 Department of Defense announces results of Sentinel Nunn-McCurdy Review On Jan. 18, 2024, the Air Force notified Congress that the Sentinel program exceeded its baseline cost projections, resulting in a critical breach under the Nunn-McCurdy statute.
Dec. 13, 2023 Air Force Global Strike Command establishes new directorate Air Force Global Strike Command recently stood up a new directorate, AFGSC/A10, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.