Department of the Air Force Seeks Public Comment on Landowner Data Collection for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Cable Systems
On September 25, 2026, the Department of the Air Force initiated a 30-day public comment period regarding its request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of an existing information collection. This collection is vital for the nation's strategic defense infrastructure. It concerns data from private landowners situated along the routes of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Hardened Intersite Cable Systems (HICS). This notice, published in the Federal Register, allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the necessity and administrative burden associated with the "Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Hardened Intersite Cable Right-of-Way Landowner Questionnaire" (AF Form 3951).
The Critical Role of Hardened Intersite Cable Systems
The Hardened Intersite Cable System (HICS) forms a crucial part of the United States' national defense apparatus. These cables provide secure and resilient communication links essential for the command and control of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The integrity and continuous operation of HICS are paramount to ensuring the nation's nuclear deterrent remains effective and responsive. Because these critical infrastructure components often traverse privately owned land, the Air Force must maintain up-to-date information regarding property conditions and ownership along the cable routes.
The Landowner Questionnaire and its Purpose
At the core of this notice is AF Form 3951, the "Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Hardened Intersite Cable Right-of-Way Landowner Questionnaire." This questionnaire is designed to collect updated landowner and tenant information, as well as data pertaining to local property conditions that could adversely affect the HICS. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, soil erosion, projected building or excavation projects, and changes in evacuation plans. The Air Force emphasizes that providing this information is voluntary for affected landowners and households.
The collected data serves several critical functions. First, it enables the Department of the Air Force to track changes in ownership or lease agreements, facilitating necessary communication. Second, it provides early warning of potential hazards to the missile cable route and its associated appurtenances, such as new construction or environmental shifts. This foresight allows the Air Force to take preventative or corrective maintenance actions promptly. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure uninterrupted ICBM command and control capability, directly supporting national security objectives.
Administrative Oversight and Public Participation
This information collection is subject to review under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a federal law designed to minimize the burden of federal information collection on the public. As part of this process, the Department of Defense, through the Department of the Air Force, submits its requests to the OMB for clearance. The current request is for an extension of the existing information collection, identified by OMB Control Number 0701-0141.
The Air Force anticipates approximately 2,834 respondents annually, with each response estimated to take 15 minutes, totaling an annual burden of 709 hours. The opportunity for public comment is a vital step in this administrative review process, allowing affected parties and interested stakeholders to voice concerns or provide suggestions regarding the necessity of the information, its practical utility, the accuracy of burden estimates, and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. Comments on this particular notice are due by October 26, 2026, and can be submitted online via the OMB's information collection review website, www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Broader Implications for National Security and Private Rights
This notice highlights the continuous effort by federal agencies to balance critical national security requirements with the administrative burden on the public and considerations of private property rights. The reliance on voluntary cooperation from private landowners underscores the collaborative nature often required for maintaining extensive federal infrastructure. The information gathered through AF Form 3951 is not merely bureaucratic data points. It directly contributes to the operational readiness of a core component of the nation's strategic defense. The public comment period provides a formal avenue for transparency and accountability in processes that intertwine national imperatives with individual responsibilities.
