Search and rescue ready

Capt. Jonathan Bonilla, 54th Helicopter Squadron aircraft commander; 1st Lt. Kyle Nelson, 54th HS co-pilot; and Master Sgt. Austin Atkinson and Tech. Sgt. Thomas Liscomb, 54th HS flight engineers, conduct search and rescue hoist training at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 11, 2015. The training

Lee Corso gets up close and personal with B-2

Striving for fitness excellence

1st Lt. Kal Judah, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress co-pilot, was recently awarded Minot Air Force Base's first perfect score for the Iron Airman Challenge.The challenge, which aims to push Airmen to strive for physical excellence beyond their physical training test requirements, was first

The big break

At only 11 years old, a young girl crept into her mother's room and borrowed her guitar, unaware that doing so would change her life.Vanessa Melvin -- then Vanessa Montandon -- took the first step in what would become a lifelong career in music.Originally, she made the expedition into her mother's

Dep Sec Def visits Minot AFB

Flightline operations

Crew chiefs and maintenance Airmen work side-by-side to keep the mission going at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Feb. 4, 2015. Crew chiefs conducted several preflight checks prior to Aircraft takeoff while maintenance Airmen busied themselves with minor repairs and inspections. (U.S. Air Force photos

Airman recognized for vehicle accident response

A second lieutenant with Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command was recognized here Jan. 29, 2015, for her response to a vehicle accident.Maj. Gen. Clark, Air Force Global Strike Command vice commander, presented 2nd Lt. Brianne Soles, an AFGSC command briefer assigned to the Intelligence

Honoring Etchberger's legacy

Of all the military decorations our nation can bestow, the highest is the Medal of Honor. It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry; for risking one's life in action; for serving above and beyond the call of duty.One such hero gave his life for his men and his country, but the true story of his legacy

All weather defender

Cold, harsh and unforgiving are a few words that describe Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, during the winter months.For those who work outdoors in these conditions, learning to adapt and overcome is just part of the job description. Working outdoors under the cover of night only compounds the

Missile field defenders receive multi-cam uniforms

Security forces Airmen across 20th Air Force began receiving the new Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern uniform Feb. 2, 2015.The OCP includes cold-weather gear, which provides seven levels of protection against the extreme conditions encountered at northern-tier bases, as well as new duty