An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Gen. Klotz delivers important message to Team Minot community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
The Air Force Global Strike Command commander visited Minot and the base Oct. 27 to 29 in a continued effort of reinvigorating the Air Force's nuclear enterprise.

"We've been presented some tough challenges with restoring the professionalism, discipline, excellence, pride and esprit in the nuclear enterprise," said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, AFGSC commander. "But the leadership of the secretary and the chief has given us the opportunity to 'get it right' and we are committed to doing just that."

The general toured the key components of the 91st Missile Wing and the 5th Bomb Wing. These mission essential units included, but are not limited to: a missile alert facility, the 54th Helicopter Squadron, the 91st Security Forces Group, a B-52H Stratofortress static display and the weapons storage area.

He was also the guest speaker at the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce during their annual luncheon downtown.

General Klotz said an important reason for merging the two wings under the one major command is, "to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations safe, secure and credible to support the President of the United States and combatant commanders."

The Team Minot community has had a long tradition of ensuring its Airmen focus on the AF core values with particular emphasis on: "excellence in all we do."

This dedication to excellence continues as Team Minot prepares for the transition to the new MAJCOM.

"All eyes in the command are 'firmly fixed' on Dec. 1, the date for assumption of the intercontinental ballistic missile mission," said Eloise Ogden, a personal friend to General Klotz and regional editor with the Minot Daily News. "Then Feb. 1 marks the date for the assumption of the nuclear-capable bomber mission."

Along with the general, came several of his close aids including Lt. Col. John Thomas, AFGSC public affairs officer.

Colonel Thomas visited with several of the areas news outlets to outline the focus of the new command and how it will directly and indirectly affect the base and surrounding communities.

"It won't be for another three to five years before any significant changes are noticed," Colonel Thomas said. "The biggest things you'll notice are the new symbols around base."

The colonel set forth a clear road map for the media. This was a sure way to guarantee the surrounding communities understand how the new command will affect the local economy and mission of the base.

"We are committed to restoring excellence in the nuclear mission," the general said. "These are not endpoints but rather milestones in a process of continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence."

"As stewards of the nuclear enterprise, we are given a special trust and responsibility to provide safe, secure, and credible nuclear and global strike forces," he added. "The entire Air Force senior leadership is extremely proud of what you do every day here at Minot."