AFGSC Command Team comes North to Minot AFB Published Aug. 13, 2026 By Senior Airman Kendra Ransum MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- U.S. Air Force Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Shawn M. Aiello, command chief of AFGSC, concluded a four-day visit at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 31, 2026. As home to the 5th Bomb Wing’s B-52H Stratofortress aircraft and the 91st Missile Wing’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, Davis and Aiello emphasized the importance of Minot’s strategic, zero-fail mission and the need for high-levels of operational readiness to keep bombers flying and ICBMs on alert. U.S. Air Force Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, receives a vehicle tour at the 91st Missile Wing vehicle facility at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 30, 2026. The command’s mission is to ensure everyday readiness, prepare for the future, and continue to build the Global Strike team for operations supporting the initiatives of United States Strategic Command and other geographic combatant commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res As part of the visit, the leaders also engaged with Airmen conducting infrastructure upgrades to pave the way for the Sentinel ICBM program, underscoring that cutting-edge technology relies entirely on a foundation of elite teamwork. “Through both wings, Minot AFB is undergoing a historic transformation, which is the most significant upgrade since the base first broke ground in 1957,” said Davis. “The future of U.S. strategic long-range strike is being forged right here, even as Team Minot seamlessly maintains our day-to-day warfighting force and readiness.” U.S. Air Force Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, receives a brief about the Mk 19 grenade launcher from Airman 1st Class Ayden Kozlowsky, a 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron member, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, July 30, 2026. The command’s mission is to ensure everyday readiness, prepare for the future, and continue to build the Global Strike team for operations supporting the initiatives of United States Strategic Command and other geographic combatant commands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kendra A. Ransum) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Maintaining that warfighting edge requires developing Airmen from the ground up. For many Airmen, Minot is their first duty station. Recognizing this, Davis and Aiello prioritized engagement with the base’s newest members to reinforce core standards and build unit cohesion early in their careers. “The experience these new Airmen have here will define the rest of their career,” said Aiello. “Their time at Minot AFB is foundational. That is why we must ensure their time in the North is time well spent and I want to the thank the Minot community for continuing to support and take such good care of our Airmen and their families.” As a career-long missileer, Striker, and former 91st MW commander, Davis shared that he understands the unique experience of operating in the northern tier. He challenged the installation’s Airmen to lean on each other to uphold the command’s rigorous standards. “Minot’s mission demands relentless discipline and sacrifice under the harshest conditions,” said Davis. “But the American people deserve nothing less than our absolute best, that is exactly why only the best come North.”