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Minot AFB History Minot AFB History

In the early 1950s, as the Cold War was warming up, military leaders feared a possible threat of a northern attack by enemy bombers. The city of Minot, North Dakota, sold the Air Force on becoming a site for a new base in 1954; the groundbreaking took place July 12, 1955, and construction started shortly after. The base started out as a Air Defense Command Base and the first unit was the 32nd Fighter Group, activated on Feb. 7, 1957.

tab5th BW Leadership 

Col. Douglas A. Cox
Commander

Col. Julian H. 
Tolbert
Vice Commander

Chief Master Sgt.
Martin K. Smith
Command 
Chief

5th Operations Group Commander

Col. Charles W. Patnaude
5th Mission Support Group Commander
Col. James M. Gallagher 
5th Maintenance Group Commander
Col. Clifford B. Stansell
5th Medical Group Commander
Col. Karlan B. Hoggan
tab91st MW Leadership 

Col. Ferdinand B. "Fred" Stoss
Commander

Col. Michael W. Spencer
Vice Commander

Chief Master Sgt. Gregory M. Fleming
Command Chief
91st Operations Group Commander
Col. Robert M. Walker
  
91st Missile Maintenance Group
Col. Joel T. Hanson
91st Security Forces Group Commander
Col. Peter N. Micale IV 
tabB-52 Stratofortress 
Air Force Global Strike Command's B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
Read the B-52's full fact sheet.
tabLGM-30 Minuteman III 
LGM-30 Minuteman IIIThe LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is an element of the nation's strategic deterrent forces. The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile. 
Read the Minuteman's full fact sheet.
tabUH-1N  
The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings and groups. 
Read the UH-1N's full fact sheet.

 Inside Minot AFB

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tabFactsheets
5th Bomb Wing

91st Missile Wing

Minot Air Force Base

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tabTop StoriesRSS feed 
Gen. Klotz welcomes Warbirds to AFGSC

STARBASE graduates 50th class

Minot Chiefs congratulate new inductees

45th Annual Sportsmen Feed

5th Bomb Wing celebrates successful NSI

Special needs - a lifetime plan

Safety first, mission always

5th Bomb Wing ALL-CALL  
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