ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air Force will stand up a fourth operational B-52 squadron, likely at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., by late 2009 or early 2010, according to Air Combat Command.

"Each of the four operational squadrons would consist of 11 combat-coded aircraft," said Air Combat Command spokeswoman Maj. Michelle Coghill.

No overseas bases were considered for the new squadron, Coghill said in a Monday e-mail.

Although Air Combat Command has chosen Minot as the "preferred location" for the squadron, it cannot make a final selection until it completes an environmental impact analysis, Coghill said.

The analysis, which could take several months to complete, will look at how to mitigate or eliminate any possible damage that could be caused by basing the squadron at Minot, she said.

"Several resource areas will be addressed including natural and cultural resources, personnel fluctuations, man-made infrastructure, training environments and mission requirements," Coghill said.

The Air Force needs the planned force of 76 B-52 bombers for its nuclear mission and to support combatant commanders, she said.

"The four squadron B-52 operational alignment allows for the predictable and sustainable rotation of the Global Deterrence Force between the two B-52 wings," Coghill said.