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.
The 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.
LGM-30 Minuteman III
The 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.
UH-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.
5th BW Leadership 
The 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.
The 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. 
The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings and groups. 
