MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- There was an empty desk in the office of the 91st Operations Group, one that Col. Kristen Nemish, Commander of the 91st Operations Group, knew she had to fill. The Deputy Commander position became vacant due to a retirement, and there were not a lot of options for finding an immediate replacement within the active-duty force. In Col. Nemish’ eyes, she needed someone with experience, who could work well with others, and could “lead the way I think they should lead.” It was a tall order, as any Deputy Commander position would be, and that tall order would land square on the shoulders of Lt. Col. Jaydee Burns, a reservist who was currently employed with the Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center (NC3) at Barksdale Air Force Base.
“The reserve is a trained, ready force that can be brought up to support the active-duty mission” according to Lt. Col. Burns, but this was a unique situation, “this is the first time that an Air Force Reservist has come up and filled the position as a Deputy Group Commander on the ICBM side. It’s something unique, it’s something new.”
Burns had been Air Force active-duty for 15 years, and now has almost 3 years-experience in the Air Force reserve. “The past few years the reserve (Air Force Reserve) has been helping to backfill the command community, “according to Burns, “I serve on staff in Barksdale as an IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee). They (the 91st Operation Group) were looking for someone who was career field specific, with missile experience and leadership experience.” “It was happenstance that I got him” says Col. Nemish “and I could not have landed anyone better. He has a phenomenal attitude.”
Burns arrived at Minot AFB in November and knew right away that the position offered him the ability for a unique learning experience. “I am able to lead and command and get that experience over multiple groups” explains Burns.
For Col. Kristen Nemish, Lt. Col. Burns was a perfect fit. “I was in desperate need of having him (Lt. Col. Burns) here. We are able to leverage a lot of his talents to fill the requirements of the 91st Operation Group. He was able to contribute immediately from a work load perspective, and I have the comfort of having him. I trust him to be me when I am not here. I have all the confidence in the world in him. I didn’t realize how much I needed him until he got here.”
Burns is quick to point out, “it’s been a great experience. As a reservist you have to balance your civilian career with your reserve career. As it worked out it was perfect timing for my civilian job and for my family, so I was able to step up and fill the position.”
Both Nemish and Burns have high admiration for each other. “He leads the way I think. He’s a wonderful officer, but more than that, he’s a good human being” says Nemish. Burns counters “I am glad that I was the one who was selected. There were others that applied.”
The Burns family, including his wife and 6 children, remained in Shreveport. “I have a 22-year old daughter who graduated this spring as a 3rd generation nurse” Burns says with pride. As far as staying in contact with his family? “With today’s technology we are able to do Zoom calls at least once a week, and sometimes more, to keep in touch. It’s kind of like being deployed.”
Lt. Col. Burns will fill the Deputy Commander position of the 91st Operations Group until July. He has enjoyed his time in North Dakota, including numerous hiking trips around the state. Lt. Col. Burns would also like to encourage others who are retiring to consider the Air Force Reserves. “I encourage officers who get out… that if they want to stay here and have a tie in to the community, they serve in the reserve part-time. They are already trained and have the skill set.
They can still be part of the mission, just not be part of that mission every single day.