Still going strong 50 years later Published Aug. 22, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Keith Ballard Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Base personnel and civic leaders from the city of Minot gathered here, Aug. 19 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Air Force Global Strike Command's B-52H Stratofortress. Having first arrived here July 16, 1961, the B-52H Stratofortress has called Minot its home for more than 50 years. Some of the original service members and civic leadership to attend the first ceremony were present for this year's ceremony as well. Among them was Maj. Gen. Murray Sagsveen of the North Dakota National Guard. As a child, the general won a contest held to name the very first B-52H aircraft at the base; that name was and still is the Peace Persuader. Throughout the ceremony, base and civic leadership commented on the history of the aircraft, as well as how the base and community have maintained strong relations throughout the years. Col. James Dawkins, 5th Bomb Wing commander, opened the event saying, "The same characteristics that have made the B-52 a legendary aircraft for more than half a century can be seen in the relationship between the base and city. These include endurance, dependability, strength, resiliency, perseverance, and fortitude." Mr. Bruce Carlson, president of the Minot military affairs committee added, "The spirit of teamwork between the Air Force and this greater Minot community has existed even before the first B-52 flight, and it has grown stronger and stronger throughout the years." The keynote speaker for the event was a third generation B-52 crewman. The 23rd Bomb Squadron co-pilot, 1st Lt. Daniel Welch, spoke of his grandfather and father, both of whom were pilots, and their service to this country. The ceremony was highlighted by an unveiling of new nose art that included the title of the first B-52 to arrive at Minot and a re-creation of the original photo from the ceremony back in 1961. For more than 40 years, B-52H Stratofortresses have been the backbone of the manned strategic bomber force for the United States and is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. Updated with modern technology, the B-52 will be capable of delivering the full complement of joint developed weapons and will continue into the 21st century as an important element of our nation's defenses. The B-52 has proven itself to be an aircraft that can withstand the test of time and will continue to prove itself an invaluable part of the Air Force mission for years to come, as current engineering analyses show the B-52's life span to extend beyond the year 2040.