MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The U.S. Air Force held two town hall meetings in Montana on Jan. 24 and 25, 2024. The intent of these meetings was to provide the local public with information on the Sentinel Program.
The town hall meetings occurred Jan. 24 at the Fergus County Fairgrounds in Lewistown, Montana; and Jan. 25 at Great Falls High School auditorium in Great Falls, Montana.
The Air Force presented an introduction to the Sentinel Program, followed by a question-and-answer session. Representatives from Air Force Global Strike Command, Malmstrom Air Force Base and Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, to include Brig. Gen. Colin Connor, AFGSC Director of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization, Col. Barry Little, 341st Missile Wing commander, and Col. Charles Clegg, director of the Sentinel Systems Directorate, spoke on topics to include project timeline, real estate acquisition, employment and more.
More than 500 Montanans attended the town halls: nearly 160 attended in Lewistown and 375 in Great Falls, all hailing from 11 counties throughout the state. Representatives from local county and state government offices were also in attendance.
“You have lived with us in our community, and in your community, and shared in our journey for 62 years,” said Little. “Since October 27, 1962, to today, the Minuteman has provided the foundation for the National Security Strategy.”
The most-asked questions regarded wind turbine limitations, road and bridge maintenance, work hub impact on local communities and budgetary issues.
The scope and impact of this project goes beyond just modernizing the missile itself, as there will be other construction that occurs, according to Connor.
“We are not planning on digging new holes; we are going to use the property we have,” he said of the plans to refurbish existing launch facilities, launch centers and other military base infrastructure in support the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program.
Air Force Global Strike Command plans to return within six to ten months to host additional town halls as the program progresses.
For additional information please contact Malmstrom Public Affairs Office at 406-731-4050 or email 341mwpa@us.af.mil. For questions related to the Sentinel Program, please contact 406-731-2427 or AFGSC.Sentinel.Hotline@us.af.mil.