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Global Strike Commander: Minot’s Airmen are what make the difference

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - --  While at Minot Monday and Tuesday, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and his Command Chief took the time to meet with Minot Airmen to thank them for their service and seek their input about the mission here.

As the only base with both ICBM and nuclear-capable bomber missions, Minot is unique, said Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, the command's top officer. The general and Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson met over breakfast at the Dakota Inn dining facility's Red Room with about 20 Airmen and NCOs from both the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing.

General Klotz expressed pride in the Command's Airmen, saying he comes away from each encounter with them "charged up, motivated and full of pride."

"Our Airmen are so smart, enthusiastic and devoted to doing their jobs," the general said. "At the end of the day, what makes us the greatest Air Force in the world is our great Airmen."

Airmen asked questions and heard a candid assessment of the state of the command and the base from the Command's most senior leaders, covering everything from fitness tests to the outlook for Air Force careers.

The success of both bomber and ICBM missions is made possible because of the tremendous support provided by the surrounding communities, the general said in an interview after the breakfast.

The local communities are extraordinarily important to the success of both the base and the mission," he said. "They are full-fledged partners of Team Minot."

With both bomber and missile wings under the same Command since last December, the wings can more readily integrate and share best practices, making for a stronger team, a stronger base and a stronger Command, said the general.

The teamwork at Minot was recognized during the Command's first-ever Global Strike Challenge missile, bomber and security forces competition, where Minot's bomb and missile wing teams jointly were awarded the coveted "Spirit Bell" award for team spirit and camaraderie.

The teamwork and esprit de corps demonstrated during the competition was what impressed the hundreds gathered there, said the general, who once served as the 91st Missile Wing commander here.

He told the Airmen at the breakfast that he understands what it means to serve at Minot, while working alongside another wing with an equally important mission.