F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. –

The 90th Missile Wing continued modernization efforts on the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system with the start of Launch Control Center Block Upgrades at the Kilo-01 missile alert facility near Dix, Nebraska, Dec. 2, 2022.

Airmen from 20th Air Force, the 90th Operations Group and the 90th Maintenance Group here are working with Northrop Grumman personnel to complete operationally-equivalent technological upgrades, starting at the K-01 MAF and working their way through the 14 additional sites.

“This is our first operational install for this program, and we have gone through a lot of development and production, so being in the deployment stage now is a big deal,” said Kamala Parker, Northrop Grumman LCCBU program manager. “Additionally, we have had tremendous support from the 90th Missile Wing, which has made the process much easier.”

Much of the equipment in the LCCs has been operational since Minuteman III came online roughly 50 years ago. The block upgrade program is designed to replace antiquated or obsolete equipment and support the weapon system with newer technology. The LCCBU effort is focused on upgrades to the journal memory loader and printer, as well as replacing the floppy disc drive with a flash data drive. Additionally, the LCCs are getting upgrades to the oxygen regeneration unit, which is responsible for generating breathable air in the event of a strike on the MAF.

“With these updates, we will have the support equipment needed to sustain MMIII operations for the remainder of the weapon system’s life cycle,” said Maj. Cory Seaton, 320th Missile Squadron assistant director of operations and the wing director for the LCCBU deployment effort. “This will ensure the safety, security, reliability and effectiveness of our current ICBM while we begin the process of bringing Sentinel online in the coming years.”

Innovation and modernization of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad is imperative to deter peer adversaries from hostile actions against the United States, our allies and partners.