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Warbirds in line to impress inspectors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 69th Bomb Squadron is scheduled to begin their initial nuclear surety inspection Jan. 19 to 24 here.

"The Air Force's number one enterprise is found in the nuclear mission," said Lt. Col. Jon Dawson, 5th Bomb Wing inspector general. "It's our responsibility 24/7 to be able to demonstrate safe, secure and reliable operations."

An INSI is designed to evaluate a unit's readiness to execute nuclear operations. This inspection is primarily geared to certifying the 69th BS for its strategic nuclear mission.

"These inspections are detailed and tough, and we will have the opportunity to demonstrate our ability to perform at the highest level," said Col. Douglas Cox, 5th Bomb Wing commander. "Although it's a challenge, we welcome the opportunity to show the professionalism and dedication of our Airmen. The results of the inspection will demonstrate that we operate in a safe, secure and reliable manner every single day."

Areas to be evaluated during the NSI include operations, maintenance, security and support activities needed to ensure the wing is performing its mission in a safe, secure and reliable manner, wing leadership said.

This inspection involves a multitude of inspectors, across all inspection activities, conducting a very rigorous and tough inspection.

"Every day we are ready to accomplish our mission," Colonel Dawson said. "In essence, this inspection will showcase our wing and give us an opportunity to show the rest of the AF, Department of Defense and any potential enemies that we are truly ready to accomplish our mission."

The 69th BS was reactivated Sept. 3, 2009. The new squadron is the fourth operational B-52H Stratofortress squadron in the Air Force and joins the 23rd Bomb Squadron as the second squadron at Minot. Barksdale Air Force Base, La. has two operational B-52 units, the 20th and 96th.