Minot’s AT program named AFGSC best of 2009

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Lt. Col. Monte Harner, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Brian Nolan, 5th CES superintendant, go over checklists during a joint antiterrorism exercise here June 3. The exercise involved several agencies, including the base, Bismarck Army National Guard, Minot Fire and Rescue Service, and the Minot Police Department. The teamwork and coordination between base agencies during exercises like these are why the Minot AFB antiterrorism program won the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Best Installation Antiterrorism Program of the Year for 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara III)

Minot’s AT program named AFGSC best of 2009

MINOT, N.D. – Members of the Army National Guard 81st Civil Support Team check for chemical and radioactive exposure of a “patient” during a joint antiterrorism exercise held at the Minot Water Treatment Facility June 3. The exercise involved several agencies, including the base, Bismarck Army National Guard, Minot Fire and Rescue Service, and the Minot Police Department. The teamwork and coordination between base agencies during exercises like these are why the Minot AFB antiterrorism program won the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Best Installation Antiterrorism Program of the Year for 2009. (US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard)

Minot’s AT program named AFGSC best of 2009

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D—Members from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, take down a “protestor” in the missile complex during a Nuclear Surety Inspection exercise here June 23. The 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing work together to keep the installation and missile complex safe and secure. The teamwork and coordination between base agencies during exercises like these are why the Minot AFB antiterrorism program won the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Best Installation Antiterrorism Program of the Year for 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)

Minot AT award

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- P.J. Pallotta, 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer, and Timothy Allen, 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism officer, review security procedures here June 24. Team Minot was recently selected as Air Force Global Strike Command’s 2009 Best Antiterrorism Program of the Year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry, Jr.)

Minot earns Strategic Command Antiterrorism Award

Published July 15, 2010
By Maja Z. Stevanovich
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Both of the two Air Force Global Strike Command wings at Minot Air Force Base were jointly recognized recently as U.S. Strategic Command's 2010 Large Fixed Installation Best Antiterrorism Program.

The combined 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism program was lauded for exemplifying a "one team, one fight" model, STRATCOM officials said.

"Even while facing Minot's incredible operations and inspection tempo, the leadership, antiterrorism officers, representatives and personnel assigned to Minot always place a high level of importance on antiterrorism," said Mr. P.J. Pallotta, 5th BW antiterrorism officer.

This award shows antiterrorism personnel that what they do every day is "important and appreciated," Mr. Pallotta said.

"We're a small community in comparison to many larger cities, but we're a pretty tight team," Mr. Pallotta said, praising the relationship with area civilian authorities. "Joint recognition gives us something to take pride in together and fuels us for success in the future."

Teams were evaluated in seven categories and Minot had multiple achievements in each. The Minot antiterrorism team pioneered a North Dakota integrated threat working group and orchestrated the installation's first-ever multi-agency, dual-wing major antiterrorism exercise, according to the award package.

Local law enforcement and homeland security organizations contribute to the antiterrorism office's success, Mr. Pallotta said, including the Minot Police Department and Emergency Management team, the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center, the 81st Civil Support Team, and the North Dakota Military Installation Threat Working Group.

Minot is unique in that it's an installation with two separate global strike missions under two different task forces, explained Mr. Tim Allen, 91st MW antiterrorism officer. Because of this, its antiterrorism program requires a great deal of innovation and a significant amount of teamwork, he said.

Air Force antiterrorism personnel monitor current local, national and global events to analyze the potential impact on the local installation. Antiterrorism teams regularly assess core vulnerabilities of local bases as well as review potential threat information, Mr. Pallotta said.

Editor's Note: The Department of Defense Antiterrorism Awards Program recognizes significant achievements in the antiterrorism field and those who work behind the scenes to protect Department of Defense personnel, family members, facilities, installations, and ships.