Year in Review: July to December

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sahara L. Fales
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The second half of 2015 remained just as busy for Minot Air Force Base. From new leadership to several military appreciation events held in town, MAFB Airmen had a lot to look forward to.

In July, the 69th Bomb Squadron brought four B-52 aircraft and approximately 180 Airmen to Nellis AFB, Nevada for exercise Red Flag 15-3. Red Flag provides realistic air combat missions in a training environment which ensures participating air and ground crews are better prepared for future real-world operations.

In that same month, Air Force Global Strike Command received a new commander, Gen. Robin Rand, a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours, including 470 in combat. Rand previously served as commander of Air Education and Training Command. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson who had served as AFGSC's commander since October 2013.

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan. Band made a visit to MAFB in August, where they performed for the second time here. The band, comprised of 12 members, is a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation and has performed hundreds of shows for thousands of military members since 2003.

September was full of many exciting events for MAFB. AFGSC grew in size and capability as the 7th Bomb Wing, 28th Bomb Wing, 377th Air Base Wing and Long-Range Strike Bomber Program transferred under the command. This added Dyess AFB, Texas, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota to the AFGSC family.

That month also marked the kick-off for AFGSC's annual Global Strike Challenge. GSC is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, helicopter operations and security forces competition. Teams across MAFB practiced and participated in events that led to the base taking several awards this year.

In addition, famous NBA athlete Shaquille O'Neal made a trip out to MAFB in September to speak to Airmen at the base theater about his father, a former Army drill sergeant, and how the military's values shaped his success.

The 38th annual Norsk Høstfest hosted Military Appreciation Day for all active duty service members, veterans and their families in October. With free admittance to the festival, military members were able to enjoy Scandinavian culture including food, performances, art and more. In addition, tickets to that day's concerts were available at a discounted price.

In November another major leadership change happened -- Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton took command of 20th Air Force and Task Force 214. Twentieth Air Force is responsible for maintaining and operating the Air Force's three ICBM wings and nuclear operations support wing at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

To finish off the year, Air Force Global Strike Command commander Gen. Robin Rand, his wife, Kim, and Chief Master Sgt. Calvin Williams, AFGSC command chief, visited here for a mission immersion with Team Minot. The visit allowed the command leadership to engage with Airmen, civilian employees, family members and Minot community leaders on an assortment of topics, including the current status of the command and Air Force issues. It also provided them a more in-depth look at the unique mission of the only base to support two legs of the nation's nuclear triad, the B-52 and the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.