Critical weather, reporting information during winter months Published Oct. 13, 2009 By Senior Airman Wesley Wright Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- As winter continues, this is a good time to review the options for receiving timely information on weather impact to the mission. The Minot AFB public affairs office offers three avenues through which to receive such updated information: the base information hotline (723-1190), the base website and local television and radio outlets. The biggest change to the way people can access critical, mission impacting weather conditions this year is the addition of road conditions, reporting requirements and school bus reports to the base website. Beginning Oct. 15, people can log onto the base website, www.minot.af.mil and view this information in a tab entitled "Road Conditions" prominently displayed on upper left-hand corner of the page. The information hotline, commonly known as "1190," relays a recorded message on road conditions and delays and can be accessed both on- and off-base. The message will be refreshed daily during the winter season and bi-weekly during all other seasons. Whenever the road condition changes, the message is updated. MAFB Public Affairs will report information such as delayed reporting and base closure to our local media outlets including KMOT and KXMC TV stations, and Clear Channel and KHRT radio stations. Each servicemember and civilian employee falls under a category (1-4), and it is their responsibility to know which one relates to them. Category One includes "Storm Essential" personnel; Category Two is that of "Mission Essential"; Category Three is "Core Support," followed by Category Four, "General Support." While not everyone is in the same category, all Airmen are instrumental to the fight. According to base officials, the purpose of the different categories is to facilitate timely arrival of personnel. Snow crews open up the base, mission essential personnel begin preparation of operational tasks, then core support and general support personnel are able to bring the base back to normal day-to-day operations. Information on the defining qualities of the four categories is included in Minot AFB AFI 36-101. If an Airman doesn't know what category he falls under, he should ask his supervision.. The next time bad weather strikes, check the base information hotline at 723-1190 and visit the base website for the latest information on road conditions and reporting instructions.