This work, From boilers to backhoes: how 5 CES keeps Minot AFB’s heart beating, by SrA Kendra Ransum, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright – 1940s: Minot was recommended as a good place for an air base as early as the 1940s when Wesley Keller chairman of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission Milton Young that a base should be built at Minot Keller based his recommendations on Minot having one of the largest airports west of the Twin Cities and that it’s “close enough to the Garrison Dam to protect that project in case of war.” – 1954: Minot was selected as the site of a U.S Bismarck was also in the running for the base in this part of the state Many stepped up to bring the base to Minot led a drive to raise $50,000 to purchase some of the land for the base according to the 1954 chamber board of directors meeting minutes – October 1954: Air Force officials from Washington and Air Defense Command arrive to launch the engineering survey for the new $7 million air base at Minot 1955: Official groundbreaking ceremony held north of Minot for new air base – September 1956: The new air base already has some of the basics completed or being constructed 1957: The Air Force accepted the first buildings on Minot AFB Army Corps of Engineers turns over the “key” of the base to Maj – 1958: Air Defense Command established a Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) sector at Minot AFB windowless blast-resistant concrete building 275-ton computers in the basement of the building the SAGE facility processed air surveillance information and sent the data to Air Defense Command units The SAGE center was deactivated in May 1963 and eventually housed numerous base agencies Today it is known as the Professional Results in Daily Endeavors (PRIDE) building – July 1958: Personnel celebrated the first church service – September 1958: The Base Exchange opened 1958: The 4136th Strategic Wing was activated the first permanent Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit – September 1958: U-2 “spy planes” arrived for a nearly two-year special top secret mission Operation Crowflight The U-2 planes were at the base before any other aircraft was assigned to Minot AFB Their mission was to sample for upper air radioactivity 1959: Minot AFB holds its first open house Armed Forces Day open house was held as part of a two-day observance “Power for Peace,” on Armed Forces Day with Minot and the south radar site The base event drew 25,000-30,000 visitors – Mid-1960s: The Team Minot Sportsmen’s Feed at Minot Air Force Base began executive vice president of the Minot Chamber of Commerce spraying service operator and chamber member came up with the idea to hold the wild game dinner for enlisted military members 1960: The 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was transferred from Suffolk County Airport – October 1960: The first 40 housing units open Kennedy who would become president in January 1961 met the Minot Air Force Base B-52 crew at Offutt AFB who would transport the first bomber to Minot AFB accompanied the crew on the flight to Minot from Rapid City Plane arrived at base on same day as base open house named “Peace Persuader Day,” when plane was christened “Peace Persuader.” A second plane (Tail No 60-0025) was the backup plane in case “Peace Persuader” could not land It also landed at Minot AFB that day but the “Peace Persuader” officially is considered the first B-52 to arrive at base while assigned to the base’s 23rd Bomb Squadron Crash occurred eight miles south of Minot AFB runway – June 1962: Last BUFF off the assembly line 61-0040 Accepted into Air Force inventory in fall 1962 1962: Crewmembers in a Minot AFB B-52 flew halfway around the world from Okinawa the crew successfully completed a more than 21-hour non-refueled flight – flying about 12,500 miles – and breaking 11 non-stop distance and course-speed records – January 1962: Construction starts on Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) complex 1962: Minot AFB transferred from Air Defense Command to Strategic Air Command 1963: The first Minuteman missile arrives at Minot AFB 1963: First Minuteman I missile installed at Launch Facility (LF)- Alpha 02 1963: First two flights of Minuteman I missiles (20 LFs and two Launch Control Facilities (LCF) turned over to the 455th Strategic Missile Wing 1964: Last Minuteman I missile installed at LF Oscar-06 – April 1964: The 455th Strategic Missile Wing became combat ready 1965: A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the $147,000 base library – November 1965: Fifth Fighter Interceptor Squadron acclaimed as the finest F-106 squadron in the Air Force 1966: New flight control tower became operational 1968: The 455th Strategic Missile Wing was redesignated as the 91st Strategic Missile Wing 1968: The 450th Bomb Wing was redesignated the 5th Bomb Wing 1968: The 91st Strategic Missile Wing’s on-base Launch Facility trainer was completed 1969: The base provided personnel and equipment to support the City of Minot during the flood crisis 1969: John Moses Veterans Hospital in Minot becomes USAF Regional Hospital 1970: First Minuteman III flight accepted by Strategic Air Command – November 1970 – First Thanksgiving Day dinner for local senior citizens held at Minot AFB held on Thanksgiving Day then commander of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing Later it became the “Thanksgiving Day of Love.” 1970: The 741st Strategic Missile Squadron became the first SAC Minuteman III squadron to obtain operational status – September 1971: The first sentry dogs They would go on general patrol duty at the base 1971: Minuteman III Modernization Program (15 flights) completed – July 1973: Minot AFB pays special tribute to the late A.R often known as the “Father of Minot AFB.” Weinhandl was known for his support and promotion of Minot AFB – January 1975: 57th Air Division reactivated at Minot AFB and also serves Grand Forks AFB 1975: Minot AFB captured national media attention when a group of about 27 young Black airmen held a sit-in at the dining hall to draw attention to what they called the plight of young Black airmen being stationed there Negotiations were held with the airmen and commanders and then a human relations committee including local citizens was formed to alleviate some of the problems 1976: Minot AFB pays tribute to Raymond Dobson publisher and president of The Minot Daily News for his many years of building relationships between the Minot community and Minot AFB He was among local leaders with a leading role in securing the site north of Minot for the air base in the 1950s The day was designated Raymond C Dobson Day and included a retreat ceremony dedication of a tree in his honor and a testimonial dinner at the base – November 1977: A new $8 million radar approach control (RAPCON) facility considered the most modern of its kind in the Air Force opened at Minot AFB Minot AFB was the second base in the Air Force to receive the system – 1940s: Minot was recommended as a good place for an air base as early as the 1940s when Wesley Keller 1980s: Minot AFB was one of 10 Strategic Air Command sites considered for the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison plan to .. Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of North Dakota | https://www.minotdailynews.com | 301 4th St SE 1980s: Minot AFB was one of 10 Strategic Air Command sites considered for the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison plan to place 50 Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missiles on the U.S Hearings on the missiles’ basing were held at Minot Grand Forks and other areas but the plan was canceled due to defense cuts after the end of the Cold War – Mid-1980s: The 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron converted from the F-106 to F-15 Squadron deactivated in 1988 and the 18 fighter planes were transferred to Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts – 1980s: An auction with proceeds going to special base activities began at the base and then was moved to Minot presented by the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce EDC was auction chair for 31 years of the event -1988: Minot AFB selected for Commander-in-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award 1988: The “1st Annual International Military Ball” was held at Minot’s Sheraton Riverside Inn commander of the base’s 91st Strategic Missile Wing proposed the idea to hold the event based on international friendship and peace including Minot and Minot AFB dignitaries and representatives of Canadian forces and other U.S – April 1988: The new hospital at Minot AFB opened – October 1989: The Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) was added to 5th Bomb Wing’s arsenal; 1993 bomb wing gets Advanced Cruise Missiles for B-52 – Early 1990s: Aircraft and personnel deploy for Operation Desert Storm – June 1991: 57th Air Division inactivated; 5th Bomb Wing now host base unit – September 1991: After 35 years of continuous alert – June 1992: New Air Combat Command replaces Strategic Air Command as host command – Summer 1993: 91st Missile Wing reassigned to Air Force Space Command – Early 1994: Minot AFB receives Air Combat Command Commander’s Community Support Award – January 1994: Base loses 906th Air Refueling Squadron one of base’s oldest units; last KC-135 tanker leaves in April 1994 – August 1996: Missile wing completes first major upgrade on command control and communication systems at launch and control centers 1997: 91st Missile Wing redesignated 91st Space Wing 1998: A mock or practice Russian inspection took place at Minot AFB as part of Air Combat Command’s preparations for Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) II troops from Minot Air Force Base have been deployed in support of the war on terrorism – 2004: B-52 bombers from Minot AFB and Barksdale AFB shared non-stop rotations in support of U.S Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission based at Andersen AFB in Guam beginning in 2004 commander of the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and a combat pilot in Korea and Vietnam who was named one of 50 most decorated officers in the United States was inducted in Minot AFB’s Hall of Fame in 2004 While at Minot AFB he “adopted” two lynx cats “Spitten ” and “Kitten,” as 5th Fighter mascots The squadron got a zoo license and numerous cats were born to adult cats When the squadron deactivated in the late 1980s two offspring moved to Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot – August 2007: Six advanced cruise missiles with nuclear warheads were mistakenly loaded onto a B-52 at Minot AFB and flown to Barksdale AFB The incident received international attention – July 2008: The 91st Space Wing was renamed the 91st Missile Wing 2008: North Dakota Air National Guard’s 219th Security Forces Squadron was activated and became the first Air National Guard security forces unit working in the missile field role with an Air Force base 2009: The 91st Missile Wing officially transferred from Air Force Space Command to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) the Air Force’s newest major command to focus on the nation’s nuclear enterprise a former commander of Minot’s 91st Missile Group/91st Missile Wing 2010: The 5th Bomb Wing transfers from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command – Summer 2011: Major flooding in the city of Minot impacted nearly 1,200 Minot AFB personnel and family members The 5th Bomb Wing provided personnel and equipment via the Stafford Act to assist the city in levee construction and evacuation efforts 2011: A B-52 from the 5th Bomb Wing’s 23rd Bomb Squadron made a historic high flight over the geographic North Pole while en route to the 2011 Moscow International Air and Space Aviation Salon in Russia $67 million project began to reconstruct the Minot AFB runway The runway was used for nearly 60 years before the construction project began 2015: 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking for Minot AFB – July 2016: The Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Air Force releasing a request for proposals for the next-generation nuclear ICBM Warren AFB in Wyoming are the three ICBM bases to receive the new weapon system 2016: “Ghost Rider,” the first B-52 (tail number 1007) to be removed from long-term storage (the Boneyard) with the 309th Aerospace and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan AFB was restored and returned to flying operations at Minot AFB a 91st Operations Support Squadron Minuteman III combat crew command at Minot AFB became the first reserve airman in the 60-year history of ICBMs in the Air Force to complete a 24-hour “alert” at missile alert facility near Max – November 2019: The Minot community was recognized for its support to the Air Force Global Strike Command wings at Minot AFB with its award of the Barksdale Trophy The trophy is awarded by the communities of Shreveport and Bossier home of Air Force Global Strike Command and Barksdale AFB 2020: As a result of exceptional service and outstanding performance the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing were announced as two of five winners of the 2019 Omaha Trophy Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence based at Andersen AFB in Guam with the 69th Bomb Squadron from Minot AFB being the last B-52 unit to Guam – November 2023: Minot received the Barksdale Trophy for its most outstanding community support to the Air Force Global Strike Command wings at Minot AFB This was the fourth time the trophy was handed out since it was created in 2017 2023: A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new facility for the 54th Helicopter Squadron which will house the new MH-139A Grey Wolf The Grey Wolf will replace the 54th Helicopter Squadrons’ UH-1N Huey that has been in use since 1996 2024: Memorial Middle School and Dakota and North Plains elementary schools at Minot Air Force Base were presented the Purple Star Award by State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler The award has been given to military schools across the nation for 10 years but is new to North Dakota The award is given to schools that support military-connected students Strategic Command announces the 91st Missile Wing is one of three winners (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile – ICBM – category) of the Strategic Command Consultation Committee’s 2024 Omaha Trophy – April 2025: Minot was recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community – March 2025: Minot AFB B-52s and personnel returned to Minot base after completing Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment based in the United Kingdom The deployment included 13 operational missions with more than 20 Allies and partners 2025: 70th anniversary of groundbreaking for Minot Air Force Base Air Force B-52H Stratofortress from the 60th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron fly’s over the skies of Sweden for their celebration of their acceptance into NATO during Bomber Task Force 25-2 These operations demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy strategic assets in support of global stability MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – A $141 million helicopter operations facility and a $5 million facility for special vehicle maintenance are among more than $177 million in current construction projects at Minot Air Force Base presented the annual construction update to Minot Area Chamber EDC’s Military Affairs Committee members at their March 6 meeting at Minot AFB The helicopter operations facility will be a nine-bay facility to house the 54th Helicopter Squadron’s new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters and the 91st Security Forces’ Group Tactical Response Force The MH-139 Grey Wolf will replace the UH-1N Huey at Minot AFB The special vehicle maintenance facility will be a pull-through vehicle maintenance facility to service large — $12.5 million full building renovation of Dormitory B131 — $3 million Airman Leadership School project including two new classrooms — $6 million to completely renovate the Child Development Center (CDC) a youth STEM room and offices for the 5th Force Support Squadron — $2.3 million to construct a new CDC classroom addition Current projects are financed with Military Construction (MILCON) minor MILCON or Operations & Maintenance (O&M) funds The Military Construction program provides congressional authorization and appropriation of funds O&M appropriations finance the cost of operating and maintaining equipment at a state of readiness see The Minot Daily News’ Progress edition in April BISMARCK – North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1199 into law on May 1 The City of Minot invites public input on Community Development Block Grant dollars the city will be receiving .. will host the 15th Annual Independent Living Fair today from 12:30-4 p.m A full-scale emergency exercise will be conducted at Minot International Airport on June 13 to satisfy Federal .. Minot civilian leaders listen to a brief by 69th Bomber Generation Squadron Airmen on the B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base local businesses and community leaders learned about the mission of Minot AFB as part of a community engagement event (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Nottingham) Minot Air Force Base will hold an open house on Saturday More information about the open house will be announced The 5th Bomb Wing has B-52H bombers and the 91st Missile Wing oversees the Minot missile field with its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles Tours of the base are available but requirements for a group must be met to be considered for a tour only requests for groups and not individual tours are supported to maximize the units’ time and resources – Tour groups must be a minimum of 15 guests and a maximum of 40 Tours greater than 40 individuals will be considered on a case-by-case basis – Participants must be 12 years of age or older Younger groups will be considered on a case-by-case basis – Tour requests must be submitted no later than 40 days prior to the requested tour date Tour request forms are available at www.minot.af.mil/Contact-Us/Comm-Rel/ and sent to the Public Affairs workflow which is noted on the page