260624-F-CJ259-1095

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander (left), relinquishes the guidon to Col. Daniel Shimonsky, 91st Operations Group incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the incoming commander, Shimonsky will be responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable operations of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles operated from 15 remote missile alert facilities in support of missile field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

260624-F-CJ259-1185

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Shimonsky, 91st Operations Group incoming commander, renders remarks during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the incoming commander, Shimonsky will be responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable operations of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles operated from 15 remote missile alert facilities in support of missile field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

260624-F-CJ259-1092

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander (left), receives the guidon from Col. Michael Suden, 91st Operations Group outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the 91st OG commander, Suden commanded three missile squadrons and an operations support squadron, providing nuclear combat capability to the commander of the United States Strategic Command in support of national objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

260624-F-CJ259-1132

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Suden, 91st Operations Group outgoing commander, receives the Legion of Merit medal during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the 91st OG commander, Suden commanded three missile squadrons and an operations support squadron, providing nuclear combat capability to the commander of the United States Strategic Command in support of national objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

260624-F-CJ259-1066

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander (left), presents the Legion of Merit to Col. Michael Suden, 91st Operations Group outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the 91st OG commander, Suden commanded three missile squadrons and an operations support squadron, providing nuclear combat capability to the commander of the United States Strategic Command in support of national objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

91st Operations Group welcomes their new commander

Published July 1, 2026
By Senior Airman Carson Jeney

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

The 91st Operations Group welcomed its new commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Shimonsky, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, June 24, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander (left), relinquishes the guidon to Col. Daniel Shimonsky, 91st Operations Group incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 24, 2026. As the incoming commander, Shimonsky will be responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable operations of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles operated from 15 remote missile alert facilities in support of missile field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Carson Jeney)

Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, officiated over the ceremony as Col. Michael Suden, 91st OG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Shimonsky. The ceremonial passing of the guidon symbolized the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.

Shimonsky assumed command after serving as the deputy inspector general of Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, for one year. As the incoming commander, Shimonsky will be responsible for the safe, secure, and reliable operations of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles operated from 15 remote missile alert facilities in support of missile field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles.

Suden concluded two years as commander of the 91st OG, where he commanded three missile squadrons and an operations support squadron, providing nuclear combat capability to the commander of the United States Strategic Command in support of national objectives.

The 91st OG is the operational backbone of the 91st MW. With its four squadrons, the 91st Operations Support Squadron, and the 740th, 741st and 742nd Missile Squadrons, the group continues to be an essential component of the U.S.'s deterrent force, ensuring Minot's missiles operate in a safe, secure and reliable state.