SecDef visits Minot AFB for first time Published Dec. 3, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Minot AFB for the first time Dec. 1. Secretary Gates visited here to emphasize the importance Minot AFB has to the mission of the Department of Defense. The entourage was escorted, under heavy guard, throughout each of the base's key mission fields. From the weapons storage area to the launch facility trainer, and a B-52H Stratofortress static display to an all-call, Secretary Gates, accompanied by Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, listened to Airmen and shared words of encouragement along the way. "I'm very proud of the fighting spirit of Minot Airmen," Secretary Gates said. "And also to serve with our brave and dedicated Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and defense civilians has been the most gratifying experience of my life. I'm honored to serve you, to serve our country and I'll be honored to serve President-elect [Barack] Obama." Secretary Gates said one of the main goals of his visit was to let Minot's Airmen know how important they are to "renewing and sustaining a tradition of excellence in the Air Force's nuclear mission." "The sign over Minot's main gate reads, 'Only the best come north'," he said. "It aptly captures the professionalism and pride that comes from being entrusted with America's nuclear mission. In this stark strategic reality, America's security depends on a reliable and credible nuclear deterrent." With two-thirds of the nation's nuclear triad housed here, the secretary stressed how confident he is in the men and women of this base to fulfill their mission through flawless security forces and dauntless maintenance crews, to name a few. During their visit, Secretary Gates touched on several hot topics in the DoD. "[Last year's mistakes] were a result of a long-standing slide in the service's nuclear stewardship for this critical mission and the career field associated with it and the funding the personnel deserved," the secretary said. "Based on everything I have seen, learned and heard in recent months, I strongly believe the Air Force is moving in the right direction to reclaim the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the Cold War." Secretary Gates emphasized how the Air Force is going, "Back to the Future" with the re-creation of a unified nuclear command. This command, called the Global Strike Command, to include the 8th and 20th Air Force, will bring both the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing together under one Major Command. Additionally, the secretary articulated his concerns of the Air Force's inspection process for nuclear weapons. "The Air Force is developing a stronger, more centralized inspection process to ensure nuclear material is handled properly," he said. Overall, the secretary said the focus for his visit was to tell Minot Airmen in-person how important they are to the nation's security. "As stewards of America's nuclear arsenal, your work is vital to the security of our nation," he said. "Handling nuclear weapons, the most powerful and destructive instruments in the arsenal of freedom, is a tremendous responsibility. We owe you the attention, the people and the resources you need to do this job right." "For your part, you must never take your duties lightly -- there is simply no room for error," he added. "Yours is the most sensitive mission in the entire United States military and I am confident it is in good hands." Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander, concluded the secretary's visit with this statement: "We never rest in the pursuit of excellence here at Minot." As the secretary referred to the words above the entrance to the main gate, it would only be appropriate to close with the words above the exit, "And only the best are better when they go forth." Secretary Gates was appointed to his current position Dec. 18, 2006. He is the 22nd Secretary of Defense and has served for eight presidents in an official capacity prior to accepting President-elect Obama's request for him to remain in his position. To view a video from the visit, logon to www.minot.af.mil and click on "December 1, 2008" under MAFB videos.