91st Security Forces Group welcomes their new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. George Hern, 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) incoming commander, renders remarks during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. As the incoming commander, Hern will ensure that the 91st SFG is trained, organized and equipped to secure 150 Minuteman III missiles, launch facilities and 15 Missile Alert Facilities geographically separated throughout 8,500 square miles.

91st Security Forces Group welcomes their new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, left, relinquishes the guidon to U.S. Air Force Col. George Hern 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. Hern will ensure that the 91st SFG is trained, organized and equipped to secure 150 Minuteman III missiles, launch facilities and 15 Missile Alert Facilities geographically separated throughout 8,500 square miles.

91st Security Forces Group welcomes their new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, left, receives the guidon from U.S. Air Force Col. James Slaton, 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. As the 91st SFG commander, Slaton was primarily responsible for maintaining the security of the Minuteman III missile silos in the surrounding area.

91st Security Forces Group welcomes their new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. James Slaton, 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) outgoing commander, right, receives the Legion of Merit certificate from U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. As the 91st SFG commander, Slaton was primarily responsible for maintaining the security of the Minuteman III missile silos in the surrounding area.

91st Security Forces Group welcomes their new commander

Published July 8, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Anthony Ramey

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

U.S. Air Force Col. George Hern received command of the 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) during a change of command ceremony on July 1, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing (MW) commander, officiated over the ceremony as U.S. Air Force Col. James Slaton, 91st SFG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Hern.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, left, relinquishes the guidon to U.S. Air Force Col. George Hern 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 1, 2026. Hern will ensure that the 91st SFG is trained, organized and equipped to secure 150 Minuteman III missiles, launch facilities and 15 Missile Alert Facilities geographically separated throughout 8,500 square miles.

Hern assumed command after serving as the commander of the 67th Cyberspace Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He led more than 3,000 Airmen, civilians, and contract personnel across four operations groups with 19 squadrons at eight locations worldwide.

Slaton led over 1,000 Airmen and civilians supporting the 91st MW’s mission of global deterrence by defending U.S. interests and assets with the world’s premier combat-ready Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force. Slaton will continue his Air Force career at Global Strike Command headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

The 91st SFG consists of four squadrons, protecting 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, 15 missile alert facilities and 150 remote launch facilities covering an 8,500-square-mile area in central N.D.

The group ensures the safety, security, and defense of the wing's personnel, resources, and strategic assets by providing highly trained security forces, maintaining operational readiness, and delivering effective force protection in support of the nation's nuclear deterrence mission.