Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a historic and vital installation of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously active base in the entire U.S. Air Force. Established in 1867 as the U.S. Army’s Fort D.A. Russell, the base’s rich frontier history is still evident in the historic brick buildings that line its main thoroughfares. Today, its mission has evolved from guarding the frontier to providing strategic nuclear deterrence for the nation.

The host unit, the 90th Missile Wing, also known as the “Mighty Ninety,” is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and security of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). These missiles are on alert 24/7 across a vast 9,600-square-mile missile complex spanning parts of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado. The dedicated missileers, security forces, and maintenance professionals of the 90th MW execute this no-fail mission, providing a critical component of the U.S. nuclear triad.

Further elevating its strategic importance, F.E. Warren AFB is the headquarters for Twentieth Air Force (20 AF). This Numbered Air Force is responsible for the command and control of all three of the nation’s ICBM wings, ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of the entire land-based strategic deterrent force. The base’s high-altitude plains environment provides a challenging and realistic setting for the readiness of its personnel.

Airmen and their families stationed at F.E. Warren are welcomed into the capital city of Cheyenne, a community that embodies the spirit of the American West. The assignment offers unique access to outdoor recreation in the nearby Rocky Mountains and a strong sense of community forged by a shared, critical mission. F.E. Warren AFB continues its long legacy of service, standing as a silent, powerful guardian of the nation’s security.