91st MSFS; strength through teamwork Published Dec. 30, 2013 By Senior Airman Stephanie Sauberan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's a cold clear morning in early December at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., as 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron Airmen hustle through the armory, gearing up for a deployment to the missile complex. "Only the best come to the north, and the lucky are put in the 91st Missile Security Force Squadron," said Airman 1st Class Francesca Jackson, 91st MSFS response force leader. Members of the 91st MSFS operate on 12-hour shifts, and are on alert 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to deploy at a moment's notice to launch and missile alert facilities. "Every day we get up, and put one boot on before the other just like everyone else," said Senior Airman Cameron Scott 91st MSFS response force leader. "Then we go out and save the world one day at a time." Each flight spends four consecutive days at various different missile alert facilities spread throughout North Dakota, said Jackson. They work 12-hour shifts, and work on a nine-day schedule, three days off, two eight-hour training days on base and four consecutive days in the field. "We pack up our clothing, extra food, sleeping bags and all our equipment and head out to our home away from home," said Jackson. Alarms go off at the launch facilities when anything disrupts there sensors, said Jackson. When that happens, an armed response team deploys to the field and ensures the missile site is safe and secure. Alarms activate for any number of reasons, ranging from wildlife on the site to weather conditions, said Jackson. There is always the terrifying possibility that at any time the security team could be responding to a hostile situation, added Jackson. For this reason it is critical that every time an alarm goes off, the security team approaches the sites with that mindset. When not defending a launch facility, the flight spends countless hours responding as back up to other alarms, conducting reaction and training exercises, checking the functionality of alarm systems, conducting readiness inspections and providing additional security as well as security for daily maintenance on the various launch facilities, explained Jackson. "Oh I definitely love the job," said Airman First Class Chandler Durden, 91st MSFS response force leader. "No matter what we do, or who we work with, it's really great to work for one purpose, and one mission." The missile field complex is split between north and south for security flights consisting of 15 different missile alert facilities and 150 different launch facilities covering more than 8,500 square miles, each of which have to be secured daily by the diligence of our defenders, said Jackson . "Most defenders had no idea what they were getting into when they saw orders to Minot Air Force Base," said Jackson. "However, after months of on the job training, each defender is equipped with the knowledge and tools to be a successful guardian of the world's most deadly weapons." Even though there are a myriad of training requirements, qualifications that have to be met and an urgency that is fulfilled every day, performing and succeeding out in the missile field is an easy thing to do, said Jackson. "Being a defender out in the missile field is without a doubt a different aspect of the security forces career field. You really get to know the people you work with. The camaraderie is one the best in a security forces unit that I've seen yet," said Senior Airman Timothy Beaupre, 91st MSFS flight security controller. It's no surprise that the missile field flights are close as they work for long periods of time away from family and friends in close quarters with each other, said Jackson. The time and effort put toward achieving the mission each day brings troops together. "Living out at a MAF for four days at a time really creates more of a family environment than other squadrons," said 2nd Lt. Tasha Worcester, 91st MSFS Flight 3 commander. "It's great to see the flight interacting with each other while out at a MAF. Supervisors are really able to get involved in their troops lives to help them in a positive way from personal interaction to professional growth and development." It can be easy for some to go home every night to their families and forget about the defenders who spend days on end sleeping in bunk beds away from their loved ones, defending sites in snow and minus 40 degree winds while carrying a full combat load, said Worcester. While on duty, the flight bands together; whether it is during training days on base or taking care of business in the missile fields they know that their team mates are always there for them. "You are busy some days, other days not so much, but being out here with your flight really eases the anxiety of separation from your family and loved ones," said Senior Airmen Tanner Atkinson 91st MSFS flight security controller . "Even though we have all the time in the world on duty, we really make it an easy living family environment." The top priority of 91st MSFS defenders will always be to maintain the safety, security and effectiveness of the nation's most powerful weapon systems, said Jackson. Each and every day striving towards that goal together allows flights to grow closer as bonds are made and the mission is accomplished. "Even though I'm newer compared to the rest of people on flight, I know the flight has each other's backs, no matter what," stated Airman First Class Andrew McCloy, 91st MSFS response force leader. "We do our job, and we do it well. Every day out there is an adventure."