Team Minot responds to incident at launch facility Published April 20, 2010 By Laurie A. Arellano Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- An unauthorized individual at a Minuteman III launch facility near Parshall, N.D., prompted coordinated actions from the 91st Missile Wing and the 5th Bomb Wing April 15 after Security Forces determined the man had crawled over the fence and placed several items on the topside of the site as a sign of protest. The incident, which began at approximately 9 a.m., started with an alarm at the site. Security forces immediately observed the individual talking on a cell phone on the topside of the site. An Alarm Response Team had the site under visual surveillance and at approximately 9:15 a.m., they detained the individual, identified as James Sauder of San Antonio, Texas, without incident. "I'm extremely proud of everyone who responded to this incident," said Col. Fred Stoss, 91st MW commander. "From the initial response to the investigation, it was a true Team Minot effort." After detaining Sauder and turning him over to the Mountrail County Sheriff, maintenance and operations personnel conducted a thorough assessment of the site. Meanwhile, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations began a joint investigation. At the same time, security forces provided security and visual assessment of the area while an explosive ordnance disposal team from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron inspected the suspect's vehicle, which had been parked at the entrance to the site. "It was a flawless response," said Colonel Stoss. "I'm proud of the professionals we have here who handled this situation perfectly." Maj. Tamara Mayer, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron commander, said both the 91st MSFS and the 791st MSFS were able to rapidly deploy and resolve the situation because they clearly understand their roles in safeguarding Air Force resources. "We train every day for a variety of situations," said Major Mayer. "Our teams performed like clockwork. They knew exactly what their responsibilities were and how to execute our contingency plans." The individual was not able to access any of the below-ground portions of the site and the public was never in danger as the site remained secured and under continuous surveillance throughout the incident. However, according to investigating agencies, the suspect could be charged in federal court on trespassing charges. "Our missile sites are federal restricted areas and can only be accessed with the permission of the unit commander. Anyone who enters a military site without permission can be subject to prosecution and prison," said Colonel Stoss. "Our security teams are always ready to respond to security violations, as we did in this case," he added. Maj. Leeann Roberts, 791st MSFS commander and on-scene commander for the incident, said while her first thoughts are always with the safety of the troops in the field, she had complete confidence in all of the responding forces. "The American public should be assured our Security Forces defenders are the best in the world," Major Roberts said. "Anyone who attempts to enter a launch facility without permission should expect a rapid and forceful response." Colonel Stoss agreed, adding the swift, unified response could be matched again anytime, on any given situation. "Every Airman in the field, along with every agency that supports operations in the missile wing, is a critical part of the defense of our nation's most valuable assets, and they take this responsibility seriously," he said. "That's why we do so well."