91st Missile Wing: Welcome back to the future

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas Dow
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  With Rough Riders, Warbirds members of Team Minot in attendance, Col. Christopher Ayres, 91st Space Wing commander, presided over a redesignation ceremony held here July 1 changing the official name of the 91st SW to the 91st Missile Wing. 

The 91st MW changed its name following a June 6 announcement by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. The two other intercontinental ballistic missile wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force also returned to the convention of being named missile wings. Gen. Moseley also announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews. 

This was the third time in its history the wing has been called the 91st MW, reflecting the constantly changing nature of Air Force operations. 

"What a glorious day," Col. Christopher Ayres said. "Today we are going back to a name of historical and time honored significance, built by a proud and illustrious past." 

"Missiles are in our blood and we are going back to our true heritage," the colonel added.
Colonel Ayres said the wing has done many things since it first came to Minot 40 years ago, but it hasn't done these things alone. 

"We have a unique relationship with both the 5th Bomb Wing and the city of Minot," Col. Ayres said. "This is the best support of any base in the world." 

After the commander's words, the official renaming ceremony began with the changing of the old guidons for new. Each of the three groups in the missile wing received new 91st MW guidons during the unfurling ceremony. 

With the new guidons now posted, Col. Ayres and Chief Master Sgt. Mark Brejcha, 91st MW command chief master sergeant, unveiled the new, 91st MW sign on the headquarters building. 

Once the sign was unveiled, retired Master Sgt. Dave Larrison, portraying the wing's mascot Teddy Roosevelt, came around the corner guns blazing and led the formation of 91st MW Airmen in a rousing cheer. 

While the Rough Riders are now looking into the future, the arrival of their mascot, Teddy Roosevelt, makes it obvious they still remember their past. 

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander said. "[At a recent museum dedication] Someone said a long time ago, history gives you perspective, but heritage gives you pride. I think that's the legacy of the ICBM force and the Air Force - one of pride, discipline and standards." 

It is indeed the wing's heritage that is a source of pride among the Rough Riders of the 91st MW. 

The 91st MW's mission has always been important to the safety and security of our nation. The 91st has defended the U.S. with Minuteman ICBMs for 40 years, starting on June 25, 1968 when Strategic Air Command moved the 91st to Minot AFB where they took over the 455th Strategic Missile Wing's 150 Minuteman I missiles. Since then the wing has had changes in name, but the mission remained the same. 

The 91st lost the 'Strategic' from its name Sept. 1, 1991, and was redesignated as the 91st Missile Group July 1, 1994. The wing was renamed the 91st Missile Wing for the second time Feb. 1, 1996. 

Air Force Space Command renamed the wing the 91st Space Wing Oct. 1, 1997, reflecting the Air Force's gradual change from an air force, to an air and space force. In light of recent events, the Air Force has decided to redesignate the 91st SW as the 91st MW, something the wing been since 1968, even if it wasn't always reflected in the wing's name.

[Editors Note: Information for this article was supplied by Daniel DeForest, 91 MW historian.]