CSAF visits Minot, says excellence expected from AFGSC bases Published April 2, 2010 By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz addressed more than 1,500 Airmen gathered at Minot Air Force Base April 1 to discuss teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in maintaining standards in the nuclear business. He greeted the combined formation of both 5th Bomb Wing Warbirds and 91st Missile Wing Rough Riders by saying, "It's wonderful to be back at Minot." The general and his wife, Suzie, visited the North Dakota installation to interact with Airmen and thank them for their service and commitment. The general began his all-call by asking the audience where they were from, what squadron they call home. Each unit gave a roar of applause as he called for them by name. Consequently, the general reminded the crowd that all Airmen are a part of the same family and no job is any more important than another. "The bottom line is everybody counts - everyone makes a difference," he said. "The Air Force does many important missions and we don't succeed as a team unless we all do our jobs." Everybody matters, he said, including Minot Airmen. He said the nuclear business is "no cream puff duty and no one knows that as well as Minot." Minot AFB is the only dual-wing, nuclear-capable base in the Air Force, having both bombers and missiles. "I'm here to tell you I appreciate your commitment," the general said. "America expects us to have responsibility for the nation's most lethal weapons," he added. "It is up to us to do this as close to perfection as such a human endeavor will allow." A daunting task, said the chief of staff, but he has the utmost confidence in his Airmen - in Minot's Airmen. "What you do is not easy," he said. "But what you do affects how people perceive the whole Air Force. We expect excellence from all Global Strike Command bases." The general asked those in attendance, "Should you take pride in what you do?" Absolutely. "If you work hard, demonstrate your commitment to our mission and keep doing what you do to the best of your abilities - you will be rewarded," he continued. "If you are loyal, do your job well and are an upstanding role model - you will be rewarded." This commitment to duty is something the general said the Air Force now looks for, especially during an inspection - something Minot is no stranger to. "These days we inspect with more rigor," he said. "We do it as one way to assure we're fulfilling the expectations of the DoD's most senior leadership and the American people." The Air Force's top uniformed leader told Minot's Airmen if they don't take anything else away from what he had to say today, he wanted them to at least remember to "maintain your mission focus and strive for a high standard of excellence, and take care of each other." "That's what it's all about - it's about excelling when no one is looking ... and having a little fun along the way."