5th Operations Group welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Bryson Ayers, 5th operational Group incoming commander, gives remarks during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force base, North Dakota, July 7, 2026. As the incoming commander, Ayers will be directly responsible for the people who fly the B-52's at Minot, making sure aircraft, crews and operational systems are prepared, certified and ready to execute the nation's strategic bomber mission at any time.

5th Operations Group welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing commander, left, relinquishes the guidon to U.S. Air Force Col. Bryson Ayers 5th Operations Group (OG) incoming commander, right, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 7, 2026. As the incoming commander, Ayers will be directly responsible for the people who fly the B-52's at Minot, making sure the aircraft, crews and operational systems are prepared, certified and ready to execute the nation's strategic bomber mission at any time.

5th Operations Group welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. John Burrell, 5th Operations Group (OG) outgoing commander, right, receives the legion of Merit certificate from U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing commander, left, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 7, 2026. As the 5th OG commander, Burrell was responsible for leading the operational flying mission of the 5th Bomb Wing.

5th Operations Group assumes new leadership under Col. Bryson Ayers

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

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

U.S. Air Force Col. Bryson Ayers received command of the 5th Operations Group (OG) during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, July 7, 2026.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing (BW) commander, officiated over the ceremony as U.S. Air Force Col. John Burrell, 5th OG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Ayers.

Ayers assumed command after serving as the 5th OG deputy commander. During the 2022 Bomber Task Force Europe deployment, he commanded approximately 300 Airmen and four B-52H Stratofortresses deployed in support of U.S. European Command.

U.S. Air Force Col. Bryson Ayers, 5th operational Group incoming commander, gives remarks during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force base, North Dakota, July 7, 2026. As the incoming commander, Ayers will be directly responsible for the people who fly the B-52's at Minot, making sure aircraft, crews and operational systems are prepared, certified and ready to execute the nation's strategic bomber mission at any time.

Burrell led more than 500 Airmen assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, 69th Bomb Squadron and 5th Operations Support Squadron, ensuring the group remained prepared to execute its global strike mission.

The 5th OG is responsible for the combat readiness and operations of the wing's B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, providing global strike and combat-support capabilities in support of national security objectives.