A warning about ‘additional information about existing entry requirements’ has been issued
People travelling to the US have been issued fresh advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released new travel guidance for the USA. The update was released earlier today (Friday, March 13).
The FCDO explained that the amendment pertains to ‘additional information about existing entry requirements and new information on possible travel disruption’. It was posted on the official ‘Foreign travel advice’ page.
The most recent advice also encompasses American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. The website states: “There could be longer than usual queues at some US airports due to a partial US government shutdown. Check with your travel provider, departure airport or airline for the latest guidance.
“You must have the correct approval prior to travel. This will be either a valid US visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), depending on your personal circumstances and purpose of travel.
“US authorities enforce entry rules strictly. If you do not have the correct immigration status, or if you breach the terms of your entry, there is a risk you may be detained, refused entry, or removed (deported). Overstaying your permitted time in the US can also lead to detention and future bans on re-entry.
“A valid ESTA or visa does not guarantee you will be allowed to enter the US. Authorities may refuse you entry if, for example, they believe you do not plan to stay longer than permitted or have provided inaccurate or incomplete information. The US may change the conditions to travel to the US at any time without prior notice.”
The US is set to co-host the World Cup later this year, with the tournament running from 11 June to 19 July. If you’re planning a trip to the US during this period, check out the World Cup page for additional details. Further advisories include ensuring your passport is valid for the duration of your intended stay.
If your journey involves transiting through another country en route to or from the US, make sure to verify the entry requirements for that nation. Many countries only permit entry if your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining.
To gain entry or transit through the US, you’ll need either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. More information on visas can be found on the US State Department’s website.
Travellers whose gender on their passport differs from their birth-recorded sex should seek further advice from the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK.
Officials may request to examine your electronic devices, emails, text messages, and social media activity. Refusal could result in delayed or denied entry.
More information on electronic device searches can be found on the US Customs and Border Protection website.
A major travel update has been issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for Brits travelling to Cyprus as tensions in the Middle East escalate
14:45, 05 Mar 2026Updated 14:47, 05 Mar 2026
A fresh warning has been issued for travel to Cyprus(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an update on travel to Cyprus, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Today (Thursday, 5 March), the FCDO has warned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. In the updated advice, the Foreign Office stated: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
They added that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Following the update, they stated that the UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
While there is currently no advice against travel to Cyprus, the Foreign Office warns that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”. The UK government also warned of a suspected drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base that took place on March 2.
“On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” the guidance reads.
“For British nationals, they advise the following:
“Read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
“Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
“Monitor local and international media for the latest information
“Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
“Keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date”.
On Wednesday (March 4) it was also confirmed that various airlines had cancelled flights from the UK to parts of Cyprus amid tensions in the Middle East, including easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and TUI. Following the Foreign Office update, airlines may issue further updates on travel to Cyprus, but this is yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.
If you have an upcoming holiday, it’s best to stay in touch with your holiday provider – although they are prioritising people who are travelling imminently. As the situation is ever-evolving, travel advice can change quickly, so it’s best to check the latest Foreign Office travel advice for a destination before making any travel plans.
For more information on travel advice for Cyprus, or other areas in the Middle East, you can visit the Foreign Office website. You can also find more information on how to minimise your risk if there’s a terrorist attack while you’re away on the government website.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
AUSTIN, Texas — James Talarico did not mention President Trump when he greeted exuberant supporters at his primary night celebration.
But the newly minted Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in Texas is now a front man for the political opposition to the Republican president, not just in his own state but around the country. With his victory over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the state lawmaker from Austin will test whether a smiling message of unity and change is enough to answer voters’ frustrations amid discord at home and now a war abroad.
“We are not just trying to win an election,” Talarico told supporters in the Texas capital early Wednesday. “We are trying to fundamentally change our politics, and it’s working.”
The campaign provided “Love thy Neighbor” signs to people in the crowd.
The question for Talarico as he heads into the general election campaign is whether he can generate enthusiasm from voters who opted for Crockett because they saw her as the more aggressive fighter against Trump. Crockett conceded to Talarico on Wednesday morning, saying that “Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person.”
Talarico will need all the help he can get in a Republican-dominated state where Democrats have gone decades without winning a statewide race. He will face either U.S. Sen. John Cornyn or state Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton, who advanced to a Republican runoff on Tuesday.
Conventional political wisdom has it that Talarico was the stronger Democratic candidate in November, especially if Republicans nominate Paxton, a conservative firebrand who has weathered allegations of corruption and infidelity over the years.
Although Democrats are often choosing between moderate and progressive candidates in primaries, they faced a largely stylistic choice in Texas.
Talarico, 36, is a Presbyterian seminarian who quotes Scripture and rarely raises his voice. Crockett, 44, is an unapologetic political brawler who hammers Trump and other Republicans with acidic flourish.
Both have been reliably progressive votes in their current roles and telegenic faces across cable news and social media. Both represent generational change for a party with aging leadership. Each called for a more equitable economy and society. Each talked about bringing sporadic voters into their coalitions.
But Talarico’s broader argument is one that he could have made regardless of whether Trump was in the White House. Talarico’s campaign, he said often, is about addressing a country whose fundamental divide is not partisan but “top vs. bottom.” He regularly assails the rise in Christian nationalism. A former teacher, he has advocated for public education — and against Texas conservatives’ policies to restrict curriculum and reshape how U.S. history is taught.
“He’s just a good friend and he’s a serious advocate for the disenfranchised and a serious policymaker,” said Lea Downey Gallatin, 40, an Austin resident who became friends with Talarico when they interned together for a congressman.
Crockett promised Democrats that she could increase turnout within the party’s base, while Talarico campaigned on the theory that he could pull new people into the party’s tent.
“I can’t tell you how many have come up to me, whispering that they’re not a Democrat,” Talarico said as he campaigned in San Antonio in the closing days of the primary campaign. “I can’t tell you how many young people have said it’s the first time that they’ve ever voted, and that they are participating for the first time.”
As he strolled through the city, Talarico posed for pictures and greeted the singer of a Tejano band playing nearby. He later spoke to hundreds of people at the historic Stable Hall, a 130-year-old circular structure built for showing horses and now a converted event center. Hundreds more, unable to get into the full event, wound around the corner and along the sidewalk for blocks.
Inside, Lori Alvarez, a 39-year-old who works for a disaster relief nonprofit, said she supported Talarico because “he really listens to what we need.”
“I think he’s going to be able to make change in Washington for us,” said the married mother of three young girls.
Yet that was not what attracted so many voters to Crockett.
Troy Burroughs, a 61-year-old Navy retiree, called Crockett “rugged” and “the only one I see fighting for us.”
He added: “I like how she doesn’t back down from anybody.”
Burroughs said some voters probably saw Talarico as more electable because he is more soft-spoken. But, he said, “We’ve got to get into the gutter with these folks, because that’s where they are.”
Talarico, meanwhile, keeps fighting his own way.
“Tonight, the people of our state gave this country a little bit of hope,” he said Tuesday, “and a little bit of hope is a dangerous thing.”
Barrow, Figueroa and Beaumont write for the Associated Press. Barrow reported from Atlanta, Figueroa from Austin, Texas, and Beaumont from San Antonio.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram says his team’s win over New Zealand in the group phase will count for nothing in the T20 World Cup semifinal, which will be a “completely fresh start”.
The two teams clash at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in the first semifinal on Wednesday, with both having never lifted a cricket World Cup in either the 20-over or 50-over formats.
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South Africa are the only unbeaten side in the last four, and are trying to rid themselves of a reputation for choking in the final stages at World Cups.
They have been the team to beat in this edition and got the better of New Zealand by seven wickets in a group game in Ahmedabad on February 15.
“We had a good run against them in the group stages, but both teams have played a lot of cricket since then,” Markram told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s a completely fresh start [on Wednesday] and it being a semifinal, which is exciting as well.
“I don’t think it’s as straightforward as just being able to repeat that. We’ll try to bring our best game to the front again.”
South Africa suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados, when they needed 30 off 30 balls with six wickets and lost by seven runs after a clatter of wickets.
The Proteas beat India and the West Indies in the Super Eight to have many marking them down as the favourites to lift the trophy.
“With regards to being favourites or not, that’s all different people’s opinions,” said Markram.
“Us as a team really just try to focus on putting good games of cricket together and playing that exciting brand that we’ve been trying to play for the last 18 months or so.”
Markram has led South Africa from the front with 268 runs, including three half-centuries and a top score of 86 not out in seven matches.
He holds an impressive captaincy record of 15 wins in 16 T20 World Cup matches, with the only defeat in the 2024 final.
“The senior guys in the team, we lean on them a lot. They help guide you and lead you when you have a few doubts,” said Markram.
“I think because of that and a really strong group of players over the years, we’ve developed that. Fortunately, it reflects well, but it’s definitely a reflection on the group as a whole.”
New Zealand ‘back themselves’ as outsiders for T20 World Cup
Underdogs New Zealand, meanwhile, back themselves against anyone in “one-off games”, according to captain Mitchell Santner.
Santner admitted that Markram’s unbeaten South Africa were “very good”.
New Zealand have lost twice at this edition, also falling to England in the Super Eight, and squeaked into the semifinals on net run-rate ahead of Pakistan.
“Whether you want to call us the underdogs or not, I think for us it is everyone’s goal throughout the tournament to get to this stage,” Santner told reporters at Eden Gardens.
“We are here now, and we back ourselves on one-off games against most teams, being able to adapt as quick as we can to what’s in front of us.
“South Africa look like a very good outfit as they have shown.
“I guess they are in the same boat as us now, it is one game, and you are into the final,” said the left-arm spinner.
New Zealand will be playing their fourth semi-final in the last five T20 World Cups. They reached the final in 2021 but lost to Australia.
“It is probably two teams that have been in and around it for a long time. We know the heartbreak of South Africa two years ago,” Santner added.
“It is whoever turns up on the day, whoever sees the conditions the best.”
New Zealand are the only semifinalist to lose more than once in the tournament and defeated only two Test-playing nations on the way to the last four – Afghanistan and cohosts Sri Lanka.
“We haven’t played the perfect game throughout this tournament,” said Santner.
“That’s a good thing for us. If we can put it all together, it can put us in a pretty good position.
“There is no real hiding or secrets about what South Africa are going to bring.
“We know they are probably going to roll out the same team and a very good team.”
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry returned home for the birth of his second child after the defeat to England in Colombo on Friday.
Santner said the bowler would arrive back later Tuesday night.
“He’ll obviously have a little run around in the morning to see if he’s ready to go.”
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has been open about her feelings towards Phillip Schofield in recent years, following the pair’s reported fallout in 2018
Amanda Holden took a fresh swipe at Phillip Schofield
Amanda Holden has taken a fresh swipe at Phillip Schofield after his name was mentioned live on air on Tuesday. The 56-year-old and her Heart Radio co-host Jamie Theakston were joined by Jack Whitehall ahead of his hosting duties at The Brit Awards this weekend.
During the discussion, Amanda was keen to know what Jack was wearing for the gig, to which he confirmed it would be a suit. Pressed further on whether he would opt for a “snappy pair of socks” like his dad, he joked: “I’m not going to go too jazzy with the socks, you never want to be upstaged by a sock.”
Turning to her co-star following the response, she said: “Well, Jamie, I rest my case.”
Puzzled by her comment, her co-star asked: “What are you talking about? Children’s television? That wasn’t me, that was Phillip Schofield.”
After instantly hearing his name, Amanda didn’t hold back from taking a swipe at her former This Morning co-star. She said with a laugh: “Oh god, please, let’s not mention that name on air, it’s a family show!”
The pair fronted This Morning together for a brief period while Holly Willoughby was on maternity leave in 2014.
Four years later, reports claimed that Phillip had ruined her chances to co-host with him again, as Holly fronted I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Declan Donnelly.
A former daytime TV executive previously told The Sun that Phillip “actively campaigned” for Rochelle Humes to get the job instead.
However, an ITV spokesperson later denied the reports, stating that presenter decisions are only made by producers.
Phillip also addressed the rumours on social media, branding them “hurtful and wildly untrue”.
During a playful game on Heart Radio about three things she didn’t want to find in her home, she quipped in 2019: “Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.”
Later, she revealed she had reached out to him for a heart-to-heart over coffee but claimed he didn’t respond.
Quizzed about her former co-star on Heart, Amanda confessed: “I did offer to meet him for a coffee months ago, he didn’t reply to my text. What can I say?”
Jamie added: “The olive branch had been extended,” to which she replied: “Oh, yes.”
The presenter has also previously appeared to take a swipe at Phillip’s former co-star Holly.
Discussing reports about her and Paul C. Brunson’s show Unfinished Business being commissioned for a second series, Amanda was asked if they were true.
“Well, yesterday I read in the paper that we are doing another series, but I don’t know for sure,” she confessed.
Cheekily stirring things up, he replied: “What are they suggesting, they getting Holly Willoughby?”
Caught off guard, Amanda responded: “I… what?!”, followed with a laugh and the comment: “No, they want a proper presenter.”
Jamie replied: “You’re going to get in trouble for that!”, to which Amanda said playfully: “No one’s listening.”
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), shown on a screen in the trading room at Hana Bank in Seoul, topped a record-high 5,000 on Tuesday. Photo by Yonhap
Seoul shares surged more than 2 percent Tuesday to close at a fresh record high above the 5,900-point mark, driven by strong gains in technology shares. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 123.55 points, or 2.11 percent, to finish at an all-time high of 5,969.64.
The index has extended its upward momentum in recent weeks, surpassing the 5,000-point mark for the first time on Jan. 27 and crossing 5,500 on Feb. 12. It moved above 5,800 on Friday.
Trading volume was heavy at 1.58 billion shares worth 30.73 trillion won (US$21.3 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 465 to 407.
Institutions bought a net 2.37 trillion won worth of stocks, offsetting net sales of 199.16 billion won by foreign investors and 2.28 trillion won by retail investors.
The rally came despite overnight losses on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.66 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 1.13 percent.
In Seoul, investors scooped up major chip stocks ahead of an earnings report from U.S. chipmaker Nvidia later this week, while remaining cautious over U.S. President Donald Trump‘s push to impose new tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down his original sweeping duties, analysts said.
Trump signed an executive order Friday (U.S. time) authorizing new 10 percent global tariffs that took effect Tuesday. He has also threatened to raise the rate to 15 percent, though no formal order has been issued.
“Even if the global tariffs are raised to 15 percent, there will be no major impact on the local stock market because current U.S. tariffs on Korean imports already stand at 15 percent,” an analyst at IBK Securities Co. said.
Technology and automobile stocks led the gains.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 3.63 percent to 200,000 won, while chip giant SK hynix surged 5.68 percent to a record high of 1,005,000 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.19 percent to 524,000 won, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution gained 4.17 percent to 412,500 won.
Among decliners, shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean fell 2.79 percent to 143,100 won, and Lotte Shopping declined 1.67 percent to 111,700 won.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,442.50 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 2.5 won from the previous session.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 0.4 basis point to 3.158 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds also climbed 0.5 basis point to 3.410 percent.
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BARRY Manilow has been forced to reschedule his shows AGAIN after undergoing cancer surgery following his diagnosis in December.
The veteran singer, 82, has delivered a health update to fans while revealing he will have to push back his tour dates.
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Credit: Instagram/barrymanilowofficial
In his post, Barry revealed he was rescheduling his first batch of arena shows, which were due to begin in a matter of days.
He explained that the shows that are being canceled are the February 27 up until March 17 shows, on the order of his surgeon.
Barry then delivered some happy news when he said he would likely be able to do the Vegas shows at the very end of March, and the second batch of arena shows at the beginning of April.
“I’m SO, SO sorry I have to reschedule some of these first arena shows, again,” Barry added.
The full statement read: “Hi everyone, Barry here.
“Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit.
“I told him that I have been using the treadmill three times a day (I have) but that I still couldn’t sing more than three songs in a row before I had to stop.”
Barry added that he told his surgeon that he was sure he would be able to do the arena shows in a few weeks, but the surgeon shook his head.
A FORMER Pussycat Doll has taken a scathing fresh swipe at Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt after it was revealed the three of them are reuniting for a world tour.
Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Melody Thornton, Nicole Scherzinger, Carmit Bachar, and Jessica Sutta of The Pussycat Dolls posed up in 2006 as they won Best Dance Video for ‘Buttons’Credit: GettyCarmit Bachar now seems to having taken a scathing swipe at her former girl groupCredit: GettyThe star reposted a video to the song I’m Letting Go Of The B******t by Nick HustlesCredit: Instagram
But, one of the original members of the hit girl group, who isn’t returning for the tour, doesn’t seem to be taking the news well.
Taking to Instagram, Carmit Bachar, 51, appeared to take a harsh swipe at her former group.
Carmit reposted a clip of a woman singing along to the song I’m Letting Go Of The B******t by Nick Hustles.
In the video, the woman can be seen saying the lyrics, ” F*** anything that don’t help me grow, fake friends, shiesty h**s letting all that b******t go.”
But it’s full steam ahead now for Nicole, Ashley and Kimberley who were seen at dinner together in London’s Mayfair a few weeks ago.
They were said to be ironing out the final details of the tour deal as they enjoyed a lavish meal.
Nicole, Ashley and Kimberly met up in Mayfair a few weeks ago to iron out their tour plansCredit: SMART PICTURES
When the Pussycat Dolls tour was first announced, Carmit seemed to take a cryptic swipe at the trio on social media as she celebrated one of the group’s most iconic hits reaching 100 million streams on Spotify.
She shared a clip from the Beep music video, seemingly making clear she will always be part of the Pussycat Dolls’ legacy.
Carmit wrote: “20 years of BEEP music video and here we are, still feeling the love.
“100 millions streams on @spotify is a reminder that music really does live beyond the moment it’s created. Thank you to every @pussycatdolls fan who’s listened, danced, remembered and shared!”
Fans were quick to share the disappointment over the iconic singer not being part of the new plans for the group.
One wrote: “Sad you aren’t going on tour, but I totally get it.”
And another said: “If you’re not returning with the band I will not be there to support.”
Nicole, Ashley and Kimberly quietly signed to top touring agency CAA in December to help guide their huge comeback.
At the end of last year, Nicole hinted at plans for 2026 as she shared an old video of the group.
A source told The Sun: “Nicole and the girls have been talking about gettingPussycat Dollsback together for months now.
“Covid scuppered the original plan and then disagreements behind the scenes meant it all fell apart.
“But Nicole, Ashley and Kimberly are a solid unit and they’re raring to go.”
The Pussycat Dolls burst onto the music scene in April 2005 with their single Don’t Cha.
The legendary girl group burst onto the music scene with their hit Don’t ChaCredit: Getty
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a congressional watchdog, highlighted how Sentinel will impact Air Force Security Forces units in a brief report released earlier today. This comes a day after the Air Force put out its own update on the new ICBM program, stating that the current goal is for the restructuring effort to wrap up before the end of the year and for the first launch of a prototype LGM-35A to occur in 2027. The hope now is that Sentinel will begin entering operational service sometime in the early 2030s. The original schedule had called for the missiles to reach initial operational capability in 2029.
A three-stage test booster used in the ongoing development of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile. USAF
“DOD will need to complete Sentinel launch facility test and evaluation activities early in the transition to inform DOD and Air Force security policy updates,” the GAO report says. “Because security forces incorporate these updates into unit-level operating instructions, these policy updates will be needed to train Air Force security forces for the transition.”
A rendering of a complete LGM-35A Sentinel missile. Northrop Grumman
The report does not elaborate on the changes that will be required. As noted, Security Forces personnel currently assigned to Air Force Missile wings train to protect the Minuteman III force above and below ground. There are currently 400 LGM-30Gs loaded into silos spread across five states. Sentinel is said to offer greater range and improved accuracy, as well as reliability and sustainability benefits, over the aging Minuteman IIIs, which first entered service in 1970. The development of a new ICBM also offers the opportunity for the inclusion of survivability improvements and other additional capabilities.
An infrared picture of a Minuteman III during a test launch. USAF An infrared image of an LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM taken during a routine test launch. USAF
“The training simulated a hostile’s attempt to capture a nuclear asset. Security forces Airmen, who arrived by both Humvee and helicopter, began to combat the threat and worked their way toward retaking control of the launch facility. After neutralizing the threat, recapturing and securing the launch facility, the Airmen performed self-aid buddy care and tactical combat casualty care.”
The video below shows scenes from a recapture and recovery exercise conducted as part of the larger Global Thunder 23 exercise.
91st Missile Wing participates in Global Thunder 23
Terrorists or other hostile actors could also seek to break into silos or launch facilities just to damage or destroy them. Even if they could not trigger a nuclear detonation, blowing up an ICBM inside its silo would have significant operational, environmental, and other ramifications.
The Air Force had originally said it would reuse Minuteman III silos and other existing infrastructure for Sentinel, but subsequently determined that was no longer a viable course of action. As such, new silos and launch control facilities could easily come with substantially different physical layouts that would affect the tactics, techniques, and procedures for securing them. The LGM-35A missiles will also be completely different from the existing LGM-30Gs, and there could be additional notable differences in how the Sentinels are married together with their new ground-based infrastructure. All of this could further impact how Security Forces personnel prepare themselves for a variety of contingencies, including any potential for accidental detonations or launches.
Graphics depicting existing Minuteman III silos and launch facilities from the report that GAO released today. GAOA rendering of a future Sentinel launch facility, including the silo, which dates back at least to 2023. Northrop Grumman
In its update about Sentinel yesterday, the Air Force shared that prime contractor Northrop Grumman is set to start building a prototype launch silo at the company’s facility in Promontory, Utah, this month. “This crucial effort will allow engineers to test and refine modern construction techniques, validating the new silo design before work begins in the missile fields,” according to the release.
There’s a strong possibility that a prototype silo could also be used to help develop and refine new Security Forces TTPs in future, as well.
Site defense is also just one aspect of the elaborate and costly security ecosystem in place now for the Minuteman III force. This includes protection for ICBMs while they are being transported via transporter-erector trucks, as well as loaded or unloaded into silos. All of this will also have to adapt to the future Sentinel missiles and their new facilities. The Air Force has already been modernizing certain aspects of nuclear force protection capabilities, including the acquisition of new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters to replace aging UH-1Ns used to provide air support over the silo fields and for convoys on the move. An MH-139A was used to escort a Minuteman III convoy for the first time in January.
An MH-139A helicopter seen helping escort a Minuteman III convoy for the first time on January 8, 2026. USAF
In terms of other Sentinel-related infrastructure work, “this summer, prototyping activities at F.E. Warren AFB [Air Force Base, in Wyoming] will validate innovative utility corridor construction methods, which are key to streamlining the installation of thousands of miles of secure infrastructure and fielding the system faster,” the Air Force’s release added. “Meanwhile, foundational construction on permanent facilities is already well underway. The first of three new Wing Command Centers is taking shape at F.E. Warren AFB, and critical test facilities are being erected at Vandenberg SFB [Space Force Base, in California] to support the future flight test campaign.”
So-called Site Activation Task Force (SATAF) detachments are also helping lay the groundwork for the transition from Minuteman III to Sentinel at F.E. Warren and Vandenberg, as well as Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. It should be noted that Vandenberg does not currently host operational ICBMs, and is not set to do so in the future, but is used for routine test launches. The Air Force also says that the planned first launch of a Sentinel in 2027 will be from a pad rather than a silo.
US Air Force launches Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg in unarmed test
The Air Force is otherwise hopeful that the ongoing restructuring effort will reduce the chance for further schedule risks to the Sentinel program and, by extension, cost growth.
“We certainly have not lowered the bar, and we certainly have not taken on any risk by doing this,” Air Force Gen. Dale White, the new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager (DRPM) for Critical Major Weapon Systems (CMWS), told Breaking Defense in an interview published yesterday. The DRPM CMWS role was established last August to create a “single empowered leader” to manage Sentinel and other top-priority Air Force weapon systems programs, including the F-47 sixth-generation fighter and B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
“The restructured program incorporates key lessons learned to ensure maximum efficiency,” the Air Force’s release explained. “The decision to build new silos, for example, avoids the unpredictable costs and safety hazards of excavating and retrofitting 450 unique structures built over 50 years ago, and is a prime example of choosing a path that delivers capability with greater speed and less risk.”
“Sentinel program officials continue to evaluate options to potentially redesign portions of the weapon system for cost reductions and are looking at avenues to minimize further schedule delays,” GAO’s report today also noted. “For example, the Air Force is reevaluating system requirements and evaluating changes to the acquisition strategy – both of which could limit further cost and schedule growth.”
GAO’s report did still highlight continued concerns about potential challenges for Sentinel, including in relation to software development for the missiles and work on the extensive new ground infrastructure. As noted, the need for all-new silos has already been a central factor in delays and cost overruns, despite the hope that this will prove less risky in the long run. There are also concerns about sustaining the Minuteman III force beyond 2036, when the transition to Sentinel was originally supposed to be complete. A seamless replacement process is critical to ensuring that the land-based leg of America’s nuclear triad remains a credible deterrent capability throughout.
A transporter-erector seen loading a Minuteman III into a silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base. USAF
“I think Sentinel is going to be a bit easier with some of the things we’re designing into the program, the digital infrastructure, the open architecture,” Air Force Gen. Stephen Davis, head of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), told TWZ in an interview last month. “I think it will make it easier to upgrade and keep that missile relevant. I don’t have any worries about being able to do that in the future.”
Overall, the Sentinel is categorized as “megaproject” by GAO, defined as something that “costs $1 billion or more, affects 1 million or more people, and runs for years.” Such efforts “are extremely risky ventures, notoriously difficult to manage, and often fail to achieve their original objectives,” according to the Congressional watchdog.
A revised cost for Sentinel has yet to be released. However, when the Air Force announced the restructuring effort back in 2024, the total acquisition costs were projected to rise to approximately $140.9 billion, an 81 percent increase over the original estimates.
Even if the restructured Sentinel plan holds going forward, the program will still be immensely complex and resource-intensive, and have many different facets, including changes to how Security Forces units operate going forward.
