Team Minot celebrates Air Force's 61st birthday, 40th anniversary together Published Sept. 11, 2008 By Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Members of Team Minot gathered to celebrate the Air Force's 61st birthday with a formal ball at the Holiday Inn Minot Sept. 6, also marking the 40th anniversary of bomb and missile wings at Minot AFB. "It's 40 years of a proud nuclear mission," said Col. Chris Ayres, 91st Missile Wing commander, highlighting the ball's theme during his introductory remarks. Overall, approximately 300 members of Team Minot attended the event. "We are truly blessed to live free and be citizens of this great country and live in this great state," said Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander. Lt. Gen. Daniel Darnell, who served as guest speaker, echoed the theme, highlighting the legacy of excellence and warrior spirit at Minot AFB. "Minot has stood vigil," said General Darnell, who serves as deputy chief of staff for air, space and information operations, plans and requirements for Headquarters Air Force in Washington, D.C. He went on to note that the base helped win the Cold War without firing a shot. "What you do at Minot Air Force Base is an integral part of how the Air Force operates in a dynamic global environment," added the general and father of two active-duty Airmen, who also recounted that his father was a B-29 radio operator who flew with Gen. Curtis Lemay (heralded as the father of Strategic Air Command) and later cross-trained to be a B-52 tail gunner; and his mother served in the Women's Air Force. In addition, General Darnell highlighted what Minot AFB's mission means to the nation in terms of deterrence. "We could not be involved in Southwest Asia or the Global War on Terror if we didn't have the overarching deterrent posture you bring to us as a country," he said. "When it comes to deterrence, nothing is more powerful than the ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) force and bomber fleet." Organized by the base's Company Grade Officer Council and the Minot 5/6 Club, the birthday ball included a brief performance by Night Wing, a popular and country music ensemble with the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band out of Offutt AFB, Neb. "The ball was an enormous success," said 1st Lt. Philip Blong, CGOC president and an ICBM combat crew commander in the 742nd Missile Squadron, "one which the Company Grade Officer Council eagerly anticipates repeating tenfold next year." While most Airmen were attired in formal mess and service dress for the formal occasion, about a dozen Airmen of various ranks embodied Air Force heritage by wearing outdated uniforms such as an Army Air Corps uniform and green fatigues. The Airmen are part of Living Legends, a group that helps educate Airmen and the local community about Air Force history and heritage. "Thank you for your constant and consistent excellence every day," said Colonel Westa as the formal portion of the evening drew to a close. "It's all good news now."