Team Minot Welcomes New 5th Bomb Wing Commander

Colonel Bradley Cochran accepted command of the 5th Bomb Wing from Col. Matthew Brooks during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, May 31, 2018.

Cochran comes to the 5th BW from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, where he served as vice commander.

“To me this ceremony is also a chance to remind ourselves of who the Warbirds are,” Cochran said. “To celebrate the tremendous contributions, sacrifices and accomplishments of those who came before us.”

At Minot AFB, Cochran will ensure the wing’s combat readiness and will be responsible for operations involving the wing’s fleet of B-52 bombers that provide deterrence and long-range strike capability for combatant command operations worldwide. 

“To the men and women of this wing,” Cochran began. “You should be extremely proud of your heritage. For more than nine generations now, our nation has relied on the men and women of the 5th Bomb Wing to defend freedom around the world and protect our way of life.”

Cochran said he was humbled and proud to be called a “Warbird.”

“As Warbirds we will continue to uphold the legacy that our predecessors have established,” he said. “We will train with tenacity so we are ready when called upon. We will continue to develop our Airmen to take care of our families, to improve our quality of life and to develop the next generation of leaders who will take our place.”