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Description of the Proposed Action
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Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) system deployment would begin in the mid-2020s, be completed by the mid-2030s, and remain viable until at least 2075. Deployment activities would include the following:
Replacement of all Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) deployed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB), WY; Malmstrom AFB, MT; and Minot AFB, ND with the GBSD system.
Modernization of the existing launch facilities (LFs) and missile alert facilities (MAFs), communication systems, infrastructure, and technologies to support the GBSD system.
Maintenance, training, storage, testing, and support activities at Hill AFB, UT; Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), UT; Camp Guernsey, WY; and Camp Navajo, AZ.
Elements of the Proposed Action at Each Installation
On-Base Elements of the GBSD Weapon System Deployment
Construction and renovation of facilities, hiring of additional personnel, and missile maintenance and security operations at F.E. Warren AFB, Malmstrom AFB, Minot AFB, Hill AFB, UTTR, and Camp Guernsey.
Constructing operational, training, security, storage, and maintenance facilities at F.E. Warren AFB, Malmstrom AFB, Minot AFB, and Hill AFB to support the GBSD program.
Off-Base Elements of the GBSD Weapon System Deployment
Updating MAFs and LFs, establishing new utility corridors, and deploying the GBSD weapon system.
Establishing 3,100 miles of new utility corridors between the bases and selected MAFs and LFs.
Conducting construction activities along the existing utility corridors.
Centralizing temporary staging areas and temporary workforce housing for each missile wing to help support the off-base construction activities.
Not changing the number of personnel throughout the missile field and keeping the level of missile maintenance activities similar to but slightly less than existing levels.
Decommissioning and Disposal of the Minuteman III Weapon System
The Air Force will decommission, demilitarize, and dispose of the Minuteman III weapon system in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and policies relating to safety, security, and the environment.
Demilitarizing and disposing of all Minuteman III-related technology and support equipment from the MAFs and LFs would include transporting debris and materials to F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, or Minot AFB and sorting, declassifying, and disposing of the materials.
Decommissioning and disposal of the missiles would include:
Removing missiles at individual LFs.
Storing boosters temporarily at F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, or Minot AFB.
Disassembling boosters at Hill AFB, UTTR, or Camp Navajo.
Storing boosters and motors at Hill AFB, UTTR, or Camp Navajo.
Disposing of motors at UTTR.
No Action Alternative
Council on Environmental Quality regulations in 40 CFR § 1502.14(d) require analysis of the No Action Alternative in all National Environmental Policy Act documents.
Under the No Action Alternative, operations and maintenance activities for the Minuteman III ICBMs would continue at the bases and in the missile fields.
The GBSD weapon system would not be deployed, and the Air Force would continue modernization programs to lengthen the service life of the Minuteman III.
Minuteman III ICBMs would not be decommissioned or disposed of, and no need would exist to modernize Minuteman III support facilities or improve or construct on- or off-base infrastructure.