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By Airman 1st Class Heather Ley Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
During a three-day visit, United States Navy Vice Adm. David Kriete, U.S Strategic Command deputy commander, got a first-hand look at how Airmen from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, contribute a combat-ready force to America’s global military posture, Jan. 28-30.
The admiral was able to see aspects from both the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, where he praised the hard work of Team Minot.
“The men and women at Minot Air Force Base are the ones actually getting [the mission] done,” said Kriete. “They do it by maintaining a combat ready force. They work very hard and diligently at maintaining a very high level of readiness, in harsh environmental conditions.”
Even though Team Minot Airmen have been working with the B-52H Stratofortress and the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile for decades, they continue to prove that they can work safely and efficiently.
“There is a premium today, on the work that they’re (Airmen) doing to sustain, maintain and continue to operate safe, secure and effectively the weapon systems that have been placed under their charge,” said Kriete.
While Team Minot Airmen demonstrate they can work successfully with current systems, technology is constantly changing and the military must adapt.
“The time is now to get on with the modernization programs that are going to replace, not only the nuclear-capable bombers and the ICBM force, but also the ballistic missile submarines that comprise the third leg of our triad,” said Kriete. “Each of these programs are very early in its development, but they are moving forward.”
With changes on the horizon, Team Minot Airmen can be confident that both command and the local community will continue to support them.
“The commitment that the state of North Dakota and the local community of Minot display toward the base, toward the Airmen who work here and toward the mission is really eye-watering,” said Kriete.
Kriete stated that the community and military partnership is a really important part of strengthening the workforce and their ability to do the mission well.
Minot AFB’s mission is a strategic combat force through B-52 and tactical lethality by operating, maintaining and securing a fleet of Minuteman III missiles, which corresponds directly with the mission of USSTRATCOM.
Kriete made it clear throughout his visit just how important the Team Minot Airmen are to mission success and that their work doesn’t go unnoticed.
“There are folks back home at USSTRATCOM who are watching what they (Team Minot Airmen) do, who applaud their efforts, who rely on them, and are doing what we can to advocate for the things that the workforce here on the base needs to continue do their mission so well,” said Kriete.