91st Missile Wing ushers in a new era of MMIII transporters

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - For the past 37 years the Transporter Erector (TE) has been a fundamental piece of equipment for operational readiness of the Minuteman III (MMIII) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. These vital pieces of equipment are responsible for transporting MMIII across vast distances, utilizing public roads to reach strategic locations, and ensuring precise emplacement or removal at launch facilities. Due to maintenance requirements becoming harder to meet with the older model, these units will be replaced with newer, modernized equipment. The 91st Missile Wing is the last unit using the old TE systems, as the Roughriders are regularly relied upon to sunset programs being modernized.

"The retirement of these 'legacy' TE's marks the end of a proud and extraordinary 37 years of service and life across thousands of personnel," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ethan Bowman, missile handling section team chief assigned to the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron.

The retirement of the old TE systems also ushers in an opportunity to transition to more efficient and modernized equipment to support the MMIII weapon system more effectively. The TE's being retired were made to the highest standard when they were designed in the late 1980s. The systems have served nearly four decades, reliably facilitating transportation, erection, and removal operations at critical ICBM launch facilities across the country.

"Milestones such as this demonstrate the commitment of the 91st Missile Wing Roughrider men and women to strategic deterrence," said U.S. Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91st Missile Wing. "Proud Airmen have operated the legacy TE systems, serving the most powerful weapon system in the world, the Minuteman III, admirably for decades."

The decision to phase out the Legacy TE units is not just a practical choice but a strategic necessity. Replacing these aging units with modernized transporters ensures the MMIII can remain a credible component of the United States' nuclear deterrence strategy. New units will incorporate advancements in materials, engineering, and technology to enhance reliability and reduce maintenance burdens. This modernization will enable smoother operations and better support for hoisting, transportation, and emplacement activities at operational wings and storage facilities.

"These replacements ensure that the 91^st Missile Wing will continue to provide always-ready lethal combat capability, without rest, to enable strategic deterrence so critical to our national defense for decades to come," said Schlabach. "President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, 'Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.' The Roughriders have used the TE systems to carry the nation's biggest stick, and will use the new units to continue that legacy."

The retirement of the Legacy TEs is a moment of reflection, honoring the remarkable engineering and unwavering commitment of the individuals who kept these systems operational for over three decades. Their contributions ensured the continuous support of one of the nation's most critical defense assets, allowing the MMIII to remain a cornerstone of deterrence strategy.

As the Legacy TEs make way for their modern replacements, the Air Force is embracing the opportunity to improve mission effectiveness and long-term sustainability. This transition represents not only the end of an era, but also the beginning of a more robust and capable logistics infrastructure to support the MMIII weapon system until its eventual retirement. By investing in modernization, the United States ensures its strategic forces remain ready and reliable, reinforcing the principles of deterrence for decades to come.