News United States Air Force
 AFGSC establishes new directoratePublished Dec. 14, 2023
                        
                        By Lt. Col. Alysia Harvey
                        
                        
                        Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
                **BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --**
                **Air Force Global Strike Command** recently stood up a new directorate, AFGSC/A10, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization Directorate, at **Barksdale Air Force Base**.
This directorate is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of the Air Force in support of the deployment of the **LGM-35A Sentinel** ICBM weapon system and the retirement of the **LGM-30G Minuteman III** ICBM weapon system.
“Section 1638 of the [Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act] directed the establishment of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Site Activation Task Force within Air Force Global Strike Command,” said **Gen. Thomas Bussiere**, AFGSC commander. “**Brig. Gen. Colin Connor** will lead the ICBM Modernization Directorate [AFGSC/A10], which organizationally consists of a Sentinel Operating Location team, a Sentinel Requirements Division, and a Sentinel Operations Division. I have absolute confidence that he and the entire A10 team will prepare the command for one of the most critical upgrades to our nation’s deterrence capabilities in history.”A man in a blue military jacket addresses a crowd in front of him.Brig. Gen. Colin J. Connor, Air Force Global Strike Command Director of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Modernization, speaks at the annual Joint Engineers Conference in Helena, Mont., Nov. 3, 2023. Connor highlighted the future of the LGM-35A Sentinel, which will modernize 400 missiles, 450 silos and more than 600 facilities across almost 40,000 square miles of U.S. territory over 6 states, 3 operational wings and a test location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Breanna Christopher Volkmar)
            
            
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    Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The new designation, approved by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, modernizes the intercontinental ballistic missile leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad. (U.S. Air Force illustration)Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The new designation, approved by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, modernizes the intercontinental ballistic missile leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad. (U.S. Air Force illustration)
            
            
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    Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel launch silo, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The Air Force determined the LGM-35A Sentinel would provide continuity in strategic deterrence and cost less than extending the life of the current intercontinental ballistic missile fleet, comprised of the aging Minuteman III. Replacing the 1970s-era missile modernizes the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad and brings the Minuteman’s more than 50 years of service to a close. (U.S. Air Force illustration)Shown is an illustration of the LGM-35A Sentinel launch silo, the Air Force’s newest weapon system known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. The Air Force determined the LGM-35A Sentinel would provide continuity in strategic deterrence and cost less than extending the life of the current intercontinental ballistic missile fleet, comprised of the aging Minuteman III. Replacing the 1970s-era missile modernizes the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad and brings the Minuteman’s more than 50 years of service to a close. (U.S. Air Force illustration)
            
            
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Connor stepped into his role in August of this year and says he is excited about his new position, leading the new organization and the Sentinel project.
“The Sentinel project is a monumental one for the United States,” Connor said. “It aims to field 400 missiles, modernize 450 silos and more than 600 facilities across almost 40,000 square miles of U.S. territory over six states, three operational wings and a test location, to replace the Minuteman III ICBM weapon system. I am honored to be part of the team that shapes the ICBM enterprise for the future nuclear community.”
The weapon system overhaul will take place in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, California, Colorado and Nebraska over the next 20 years. All components of the previous weapon system will be replaced, including the motors, interstages, propulsion system rocket engine, and missile guidance set. The number, size, configuration and design of the nuclear warheads provided by the **Department of Energy** will remain unchanged.
With nuclear deterrence as the Department of Defense’s top priority mission, the standup of the A10 directorate represents one of the first steps in ensuring the United States’ nuclear capability is strong enough to withstand any threat to the United States and its allies. The work the directorate accomplishes over the coming years will ensure the Sentinel weapon system is the most cost-effective option for maintaining a safe, secure, and effective land-based leg of the nuclear triad and would extend its capabilities through 2075.
For more information regarding the Sentinel Program, click **here**.LR 



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