Rough Riders hailed best in command

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  More than 100 inspectors from Air Force Global Strike Command and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency recently conducted a Nuclear Surety Inspection at the 91st Missile Wing here.

NSIs are extremely detailed and demand the absolute highest standards of compliance and accountability. NSIs constantly test, assess, evaluate, compare and hone processes, procedures, and readiness. By design, it evaluates safe, secure, and effective unit nuclear mission capability and takes place at least once every 18 months.

Col. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC Inspector General, said the wing performed phenomenally and he was impressed with the resiliency, teamwork, motivation and dedication of the Rough Riders.

"When reviewing this report, a couple words and phrases are going to stick out," Bussiere said referencing the 91st MW Airmen. "Some of those phrases include best seen in 18 months, best in the command, passion, professionalism, dedication, and steely-eyed Defenders. All of these describe the 91st Missile Wing team."

Air Force and MAJCOM inspectors with the assistance of the Air Force Inspection Agency, Department of Energy, U.S. Strategic Command and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency provide deep, rigorous, invasive inspections, to include NSIs, to ensure that a unit's nuclear mission is thoroughly examined.

"With many of our Airmen displaced due to the flood we continued to secure, maintain and operate 150 ICBMs on constant alert," Col. S.L. Davis, 91st MW commander said. "That makes the impressive grades you earned from this inspection all the more impressive."

Commanders use inspection results and reports to adjust focus and resources as needed to keep the units combat ready, safe, secure and effective at all times. Areas of inspection included operations, maintenance, security and support activities needed to ensure a unit is performing its mission in a safe, secure and effective manner.

"Our work gets graded every day," said Davis. "The Inspector General provided an important look, but our most important grade is the one we get from potential adversaries. This shows without a doubt, this wing is combat ready and as a result, our nation is safer - you make this world safer."