MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As development on Sentinel advances, the need for public engagement remains central for Sentinel Task Force leadership as well as commanders from Malmstrom AFB and Air Force Global Strike Command. Town halls took place in Lewistown, Conrad and Great Falls, respectively. Intended to modernize the land-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad, Sentinel represents a technological leap forward for America’s strategic deterrence. Sentinel leadership, like Peter Sturdivant, director for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Infrastructure, said the updated missile program is a commitment to maintaining a partnership with the American public.
“We don’t lose sense of the fact there are people who come to these town halls that were alive when we put the original silos in the ground,” said Sturdivant. “We take that really seriously, because we want to maintain those positive relationships with the communities.”
The town halls drew a wide range of attendees, crowd sizes ranging from 130 in Lewistown to more than 200 in Conrad, to hear from officials and voice their questions and concerns. Questions spanned numerous topics ranging from employment opportunities to security considerations, reflecting each community’s broad interest in the program and its potential impact.
In addition to providing an open discussion forum for community members, the town halls also featured information stations manned by more than 20 subject matter experts across differing topics, to include real estate, legal affairs and infrastructure. The one-on-one interactions provided attendees with personalized responses and reference materials to ensure individual questions were both heard and addressed.
“It’s going to get really busy around here, and we want to make sure we establish a framework for communication early on,” said Sturdivant. “Hence the reason why we do numerous town hall events throughout the years: so that people see the Air Force truly is an open and honest partner in this process.”
According to Lt. Col. John Mayer, Sentinel Task Force Det. 11 commander, transparency is not just a formality — it’s a responsibility. By openly communicating updates, accomplishments and projected milestones, Mayer said the Air Force strengthens the public’s understanding of both the program’s value and its complexity.
“We want the community to understand where we’re at with the program and what the timeline looks like,” said Mayer. “Everything has moved along at a steady state, but it’s accelerating. A year ago, it was just two contractors and myself – now I’ve got a team of about 20 active-duty personnel, civilians and contractors.”
This modernization effort – the largest construction project in Air Force history – will re-capitalize the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, ensuring a credible deterrent against the 21st-century adversaries for decades to come.
In time, Sentinel ICBMs will replace the more than 400 Minuteman III ICBMs that have remained in continuous service for more than 50 years. Like Minuteman before it, Sentinel will be foundational to the Department of War’s top mission priority: national defense of the U.S. and its allies.
The next series of town hall events are scheduled to take place later this fall where officials will provide further Sentinel updates to impacted communities. More information on town halls and other community engagement opportunities can be found on the Sentinel program website at www.afgsc.af.mil/sentinel.
Project information can be found here. For further questions, contact the Sentinel Hotline at 406-731-2427 or email them at AFGSC.Sentinel.Hotline@us.af.mil.
-30-