Francis E. Warren Air Force Base

Francis E. Warren Air Force Base has a completely different mission from most of the other U.S. Air Force bases. It is one of only three of its kind – a strategic missile base.

The base is home to the 90th Missile Wing, which is the operational wing for the LGM-30G Minuteman III – a United States intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile. It is the only missile of its kind in service in the U.S. that is land-based.

Location

Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is sited roughly three miles to the west of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Strategically, the airbase is situated halfway between Canada and Mexico. It covers an area of nearly 6000 acres at the main site. Remote missile sites in the home state, Colorado and Nebraska add an additional 12,600 square miles.

History

The installation was established by the U.S. Cavalry in 1867, and was named after Civil War hero David Allen Russell. It came about as a result of the 1862 Railroad Act, and the need for a military facility to protect workers on the Union Pacific Railroad in Wyoming against attacks by Indians.

During World War One, Fort Russell had the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest military camps.

In 1929, Fort Russell became Fort Francis E. Warren. It eventually became Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in 1949, becoming the United States’ first intercontinental ballistic missile/ICBM base eight years later.

The air force base is named for Francis Emroy Warren: He was born on June 20, 1844 and died on November 24, 1929. Warren distinguished himself in both the military and political spheres. He was just 19 years-of-age when he was awarded the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, eventually serving in the Senate for 37 years.

In June 1992, the base became the 90th Missile Wing. The following year – 1993 – it became home to Twentieth Air Force, the headquarters for the U.S. ICBM wings.

Mission

The 90th Missile Wing supports Twentieth Air Force in its defense of the U.S.A. against hostile actions with its global strike capabilities. The combat-ready Minuteman III ICBMs remain fully-alert for 24 hours each day, year-round.

Units

The component units of the 90th Missile Wing are: The 90th Operations Group – which is supported by three missile squadrons, a helicopter squadron and an operational support squadron; the 90th Maintenance Group; the 90th Mission Support Group and the 90th Security Forces Group.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Area Defense Counsel and the headquarters of the Civil Air Patrol’s Wyoming Wing are tenant units at the base.

Points of Special Note

The base is a designated National Historic Landmark with its impressive red-brick, colonial-style buildings.

A distinguishing feature of Francis E. Warren AFB is its lack of a runway for fixed-wing planes. Instead, it has a 30-square-foot heliport that is used by UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters. The helicopters transport launch crews and maintenance troops to assorted control centers and missile silos that encompass the base.

From its initial transcontinental railroad protection role as an army post, to its current intercontinental ballistic missiles mission, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base stands ready to safeguard the nation’s interests – both at home and abroad.