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's AT program named AFGSC best of 2009

Published May 19, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Thomas Dow
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- On May 12, Air Force Global Strike Command named Minot AFB as a 2009 Antiterrorism Award winner for having the Best Installation Antiterrorism Program of the Year.

Minot's antiterrorism program is unique as it is a joint effort between the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. Both wing programs work together on a daily basis supporting the Air Force's only dual-wing, nuclear-capable base.

"It's cool to be recognized at the MAJCOM-level," said P.J. Pallotta, Minot AFB Antiterrorism Officer. "This award recognizes the dedicated efforts of Minot AFB as a whole and brings 'TEAM' recognition to both the 5th BW and 91st MW in regards to antiterrorism and force protection efforts."

Timothy Allen, 91st MW antiterrorism officer, said the award was a direct result of the entire base working together, not just the AT programs.

"The joint relationship between the 5th BW and 91st MW was instrumental in receiving this award," said Allen. "This award was equally earned due to the joint approach in everything we do."

According to Pallotta, the Minot AFB AT team extends to many entities to include unit AT program officers, installation threat working group and vulnerability action group, as well as installation leadership and base populace.

"Another big part of the base's AT team are several local community agencies to include the Minot Police Department, N.D. State Law Enforcement Intelligence Center and the 81st Civil Support Team out of Bismarck," Pallota added.

The U.S. Air Force Antiterrorism Awards Program was established to recognize significant achievements in the antiterrorism field to protect Air Force personnel, family members, facilities and installations. A huge undertaking when one takes into consideration the everyday mission at Minot. The program cannot focus solely on the installation itself, but must also take into consideration the 8,500-square mile area missile complex.

"The installation's antiterrorism mission is to maintain effective plans, programs and teams that mitigate threats, that help to detect and deter terrorist actions against Minot AFB, the missile complex, personnel and resources," said Pallotta.

The amount of teamwork and coordination involved in keeping Minot safe and secure is not lost on Col. Douglas Cox, 5th BW commander.

"The AT program at Minot AFB is of twofold importance," said Colonel Cox. "First, it protects our most important resources from those who oppose liberty and our way of life. Second, it provides us an excellent opportunity to cooperate as an installation toward a common goal, achieving synergies we couldn't attain alone."

The Antiterrorism Awards program is established at Department of Defense-level. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs administers the awards program on behalf of the Secretary of Defense.