Defenders of the North

Airman 1st Class Brett Payne, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron fire team member, lies in his bunk after completing his shift at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. Payne and his fellow defenders work to ensure the safety and security of the missile crew members and other personnel stationed at the MAF, which functions as a central command center and hotel hybrid for the flight area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Airmen 1st Class Gibran Hernandez (left), and Brett Payne (right), 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron fire team members, patrol the fence line during shift change-over at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. 91st MSFS working at the MAF are on 12-hour shifts and when the day and night crew swap for change-over, a full patrol of the area outside the MAF is conducted. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Airman 1st Class Gibran Hernandez, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron fire team member, rests his trigger finger against the side of his M4 carbine during a patrol at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. Gibran and his fellow defenders work to ensure the safety and security of the missile crew members and other personnel stationed at the MAF, which functions as a central command center and hotel hybrid for the flight area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Airman 1st Class Gibran Hernandez, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron fire-team member, uses a specialized key to unlock the gate at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. As a 91st MSFS member, Gibran is charged with ensuring the security of all structures and personnel at the MAF which serves as a central command center for the flight areas launch facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Airmen from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron wind down at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. 91st MSFS members work twelve-hour shifts day and night, and are in the field for four days. As such, they spend both their work time and downtime at the MAF. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Airman 1st Class Christian Beauchamp, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron alert response team leader, uses his down time to exercise at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. 91st MSFS members spend four days at their assigned MAFs working 12-hour shifts. However, when they are not on duty they are able to utilize the MAF’s fitness room, study and recreation area or the available pool table. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Senior Airman Sierra Jackson(left), and Airman 1st Class Brett Payne, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron fire team members, use their down time to study and read at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. 91st MSFS members spend four days at their assigned MAFs working 12-hour shifts. However, when they are not on duty they are able to utilize the MAF’s fitness room, study and recreation area or the available pool table. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)

Defenders of the North

Published July 20, 2015
By Senior Airman Stephanie Morris
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron conduct patrols, relax in their downtime and ensure the security of buildings and personnel at the Bravo-01 Missile Alert Facility near Ruso, N.D., July 1, 2015. The missile complex is 8,500 square miles and is divided into 15 flight areas. Each alert response team is responsible for one flight area, 566 square miles, and each flight area has approximately 10 launch facilities. The MAF functions as a barracks where guards stay on four-day shifts to provide round-the-clock protection for the entrance to the capsule below. (U.S. Air Force photos/Senior Airman Stephanie Morris)