AFSPC bids farewell to Minot’s missile wing Published Nov. 16, 2009 By Senior Airman Sharida Jackson Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Air Force Space Command commander visited Minot Airmen Nov. 12 here. The visit was an opportunity to wish the 91st Missile Wing a final farewell as the wing transfers to Air Force Global Strike Command Dec. 1. "You do the country's most important mission," said Gen. Robert Kehler, AFSPC commander. "You provide the President with a combat ready force." The general held a senior leadership meeting for the 91st MW. Col. Ferdinand Stoss, 91st MW commander and Chief Master Sgt. Greg Fleming, 91st MW command chief, were among 12 attendees. "The mission here at Minot requires hands-on leadership," Gen. Kehler said. He also spoke to Airmen of the 91st MW about the upcoming transfer of the wing to AFGSC during a commander's call. "I am a big supporter of having a separate command for the nuclear section," Gen. Kehler said. "We use the country's nuclear force operationally every day." The 91st MW is one of the Air Force's three operational intercontinental ballistic missile units. The missile wing maintains a fleet of 150 Minuteman III ICBM's, the safest and most reliable ballistic missile system in United States history. "I am most proud of the time I spent as a deputy and crew commander with the Minuteman," said Gen. Kehler. "I felt like I was on the front line of this country's defense every day." "Over the last 10 years, we have invested over $6.5 billion in Minuteman ICBM missile systems," the general added. Minot's missile wing has earned 13 Air Force outstanding unit awards and a variety of Air Force, major command and numbered Air Force awards. The wing also received the U.S. Strategic Command's Omaha Trophy for the best wing in the command five times: 1979, 1994, 2000, 2002 and 2004. "We are dedicated to restoring the nuclear enterprise," Gen. Kehler said. "That is the Air Force's top priority."