A day in the life: 91MW spouse tour

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jonathan Austin
  • 91st Operations Group
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D., --  On October 15 and 17, Col. Colin Connor, 91st Missile Wing commander, hosted senior-leadership spouses from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing showcasing the missions accomplished by the 91st MW.

This two-day event highlighted the talents and expertise of Airmen from both wings who execute the daily operations for the base and missile field. This event allowed spouses to interact with and see what it is like to live and work in the missile field.

The first day started with an overview of a missile alert facility given by 1st Lt. Michael Benedetti, 741st Missile Squadron assistant flight commander and event co-coordinator. Twenty-two spouses then embarked on an hour and a half bus ride from Minot AFB to the India-01 MAF. After required security checks for site entry, the spouses began the tour.

Facility managers, Master Sgt. Jason Birch, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron and Staff Sgt. Kevin Beaton, 741st Missile Squadron, greeted the spouses upon their arrival. The spouses conversed with armed response team and fire team personnel to gain a better understanding of their daily lives in the missile field and the equipment they carry.

"The tour was an amazing opportunity to meet many skillful airmen, get a firsthand look at some impressive equipment and facilities as well as see the huge effort that goes into the 91st Missile Wing Mission. It was very informative and an experience I won't forget,” said Emma Mitchell, spouse of Lt. Col. Nathan Mitchell, 91st Maintenance Group deputy commander.

From there, the tour split allowing more engagement with personnel topside and downstairs in the launch control center.

The LCC tour began with a briefing by Senior Airman Tyler Hitt, 91st MSFS flight security controller. One of his responsibilities is to ensure security of launch facilities in his area of responsibility. Following normal LCC and FSC security protocols, the spouses were escorted to the elevator that would send them 60-90 feet below the surface and allow access to the underground portion of the MAF.

“It was like getting to see a forgotten world,” said Angela Buckley, spouse of Maj. Patrick Buckley, 5th Security Forces Squadron director of operations.

When the elevator stopped, the spouses saw the launch control equipment building’s blast door that grants access to the LCEB and LCC. As 2nd Lt. James Yau, 742nd Missile Squadron deputy combat crew commander, opened the door, the spouses entered the LCEB where Yau and 2nd Lt. Sarah McGinnis-Chapman, 740th MS DCCC, provided the spouses with a tour of equipment that provides the necessary power and cooling air to the LCC.

Following the tour, Lt. Col. Jonathan Austin, 91st Operations Group deputy commander, contacted the crew via the interphone system and the spouses were able to see the LCC’s 8-ton blast door open. They were greeted by the capsule crew, 1st Lt. Christopher Meskauskas and 1st Lt. Marc Gavino, 741st MS MCCCs, and were allowed into the LCC.

These crewmembers conducted a normal safety briefing and provided a tour of various operational components, such as the rapid execution and combat targeting console and various comforts, such as the small bathroom and a bed, which allows one crewmember to sleep.

The main topic of discussion between the crew and spouses was the daily life of missile combat crewmembers on alert. Following their tour, the spouses went upstairs for lunch made by 5th Force Support Squadron missile field chefs.

Following lunch, the spouses toured various topside support buildings and saw equipment used by missile field defenders and others who stay overnight. Areas toured included the gym, backup power generator, water supply, fire suppression system, bedrooms and the kitchen.

Many spouses were surprised chefs cannot bring their own food to expand upon their culinary skills, however, once it was explained that the 5th FSS ensures all food delivered to the MAFs is made to maintain the health of the crews and personnel, they understood.

Finally, the spouses concluded their day at Dakota Drugs in Stanley, North Dakota, to enjoy a fountain soda and ice cream provided by the only Whirl-A-Whip ice cream machine in the United States. The spouses then proceeded the hour and a half drive back to base, just as 91 MW personnel do when they return.

The second day provided hands-on experiences across the operations, security and maintenance sections of the 91 MW training facilities on base.

The tour began with the 91st Security Forces Group where the spouses were able to observe and handle major equipment used by defenders and understand the various organizations that protect the missile complex. This portion concluded with defenders showcasing how they would secure a launch facility if a hostile threat were present.

From there the tour moved to Uniform-01, a LF trainer that is a full size mock-up of the wing’s LFs. The spouses were also able to see equipment used to train missile maintainers.

Many spouses agreed that the highlight of the day was the opportunity for some to conduct a launch tube cage ride and travel 100-feet deep to the house of the Minuteman III.

Finally, the tour culminated with an LCC simulation used to train missile combat crewmembers. During this portion, the spouses were able to see how crews monitor the operational status of their assigned LFs, to include site security responses.

The tour was a resounding success and more importantly, the impact reached across the base as Amy Maginness, spouse to Lt. Col. Michael Maginness, 23rd Bomb Squadron commander, was just one that captured the magnitude of the 91st MW’s mission.

“It was a unique opportunity to visit and tour 91st MW operations,” said Amy. “I was amazed at the precision it takes to load and unload missiles. I was also able to see security forces in action and it gave me a huge appreciation of them, since they stand outside in all different elements to protect the different missile sites. The entire tour gave me great insight and appreciation to all the training, hard work and long hours the men and women put in at the 91st MW. Thanks for all you do!”

Tim O’Hara, spouse to Col. Stacy Huser, 91st Operations Group commander added, "I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for what these young men and women do on a daily basis and how they work together to accomplish the mission. I am also continually impressed by the pride they take in their jobs and the professionalism with which they perform their duties."