Colonel James E. Slaton commands the 91st Security Forces Group at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), N.D. He leads 1,000 Airmen and civilians supporting the 91st Missile Wing’s mission of global deterrence by defending America with the world’s premier combat-ready Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force. The 91st Security Forces Group consists of four squadrons, protecting 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, 15 missile alert facilities and 150 remote launch facilities covering an 8,500-square-mile area in central N.D.
Colonel Slaton enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in June of 1995, and graduated from the Aerospace Propulsion Specialist course in November of 1995. He received his United States Air Force Commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at North Carolina Central University in 2000 and has served for 23 years as a Security Forces officer. His previous assignments have included duties at the Squadron, Wing, Numbered Air Force, Major Command, Joint Task Force and Combatant Command levels, as well as Exchange Officer duties with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His previous assignment was Chief of Security Forces for Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI.
EDUCATION
1997 Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Appalachian State University
2000 Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, North Carolina Central University
2009 Master of Arts, Security Management, American Military University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 1995 – December 2000, Aerospace Propulsion Specialist, 315th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Charleston AFB South Carolina.
2. February 2001 - January 2002, Training and Resources Flight Commander, 821st Security Forces Squadron, Buckley AFB Colo.
3. February 2002 - May 2003, Wing Antiterrorism Officer, 460th Security Forces Squadron, Buckley ABF, Colo.
4. June 2003 - July 2006, Senior Force Protection Officer, Alaskan Command, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
5. August 2006 - May 2008, Operations Officer, 91st Security Support Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
6. June 2008 - December 2008, Operations Officer, International Zone Police, Baghdad, Iraq
7. January 2009 - May 2009, Operations Officer, Tactical Response Force, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
8. June 2009 - May 2010, Operations Officer, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D.
9. June 2010 - June 2011, Chief, Force Protection Technology, US Forces Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
10. July 2011 - July 2013, Commander, 354th Security Forces Squadron, Eielson AFB, Alaska
11. August 2013 - August 2016, Chief, Nuclear Weapons Security, US Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.
12. August 2016 – July 2018, Deputy Commander, 91st Security Forces Group, Minot AFB, N.D.
13. August 2018 – July 2021, Assistant Provost Marshall for Security and Contingency Operations, Canadian Forces MP Group, Winnipeg Canada
14. August 2021 – June 2022, Chief, Force Protection, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
15. Aug 2022 – May 2024, Chief of Security Forces, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI
16. June 2024 – present, Commander, 91st Security Forces Group, Minot AFB, N.D.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one device
Meritorious Service Medal with four devices
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Canadian Forces Commander’s Commendation
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jan 14, 2001
First Lieutenant Jan 14, 2003
Captain Jan 14, 2005
Major Oct 1, 2010
Lieutenant Colonel Mar 1, 2016
Colonel, Dec 1, 2022
(Current as of June 2024)