Despite the hierarchical rank structure of the Air Force, all military kids live similar “Military Kid” lifestyles. They move. They lose friends. They experience new things. They say temporary goodbyes to a parent. While every military kid has a unique story to tell, they also have the solidarity of shared experiences that bring them closer […]

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Air Force Security Forces Center is continuing its efforts to arm Defenders with the technology and equipment they need to better protect people and resources across the Department of the Air Force. With a mission of training, equipping and managing program execution for the Air Force security forces […]

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —As the Department of Defense (DOD) aims to maintain its global technological edge, small business contractors have been recognized as key to maintaining national and economic defense. However, ongoing challenges have disincentivized these businesses from working with the DOD, driving down participation by over 40% in the last 10 years […]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —In our democracy, elections are quite common, and with a presidential election this year, we can expect many opportunities for citizens to participate in the democratic process. With this in mind, it is important to be aware of specific guidelines that apply to service members and federal employees on acceptable behavior. Military […]

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —Air Force Global Strike Command hosted a workshop here for 90 attendees across the Department of the Air Force from April 2-4 regarding the Command’s implementation of the New START Treaty. New START, signed in 2011, furthers reductions provided in START I, which expired in December 2009. Under New START, […]

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The Air Force is improving lodging facilities across the enterprise to better serve Airmen, Guardians and their families. The Air Force Services Center team that manages more than 27,000 rooms at 89 Air Force Inns across the globe will roll out the changes over the course of the next […]

Editor’s note: This article is educational and is not intended as medical advice. It simply explains the two types of vertigo and the various ways vertigo affects people. Most people don’t like to talk about medical issues, although in some cases, those issues are brought into the public domain as people suffer from conditions manifested […]

May DayI could not believe the number of people who enjoyed last week’s column about May Day. They were especially entertained by my May Basket story. Some knew about the May Basket tradition, but most did not. Here is an explanation of the May Basket tradition from National Public Radio: “Maybe there really was a […]

It happened suddenly. I’ve been warned that parenthood is like that, but sometimes it still catches me off guard. You see your children every day. Change happens so gradually it’s hard to detect. Then suddenly, you see what’s going on. They are growing.Suddenly, they’re huge. That’s how it was for me recently. My firstborn son, […]

The illustrious rank of Chief Master Sergeant takes many years of selfless service, dedication to the profession and patience. This year only 506 members were selected across the Air Force. One of those newly pinned on chief master sergeants from Minot AFB is CMSgt Melissa Casey Turner, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. When CMSgt Turner walked […]

Like so many Chief Master Sergeants, Heather Malensek said there were doubts about reaching this level, “I thought when I first started out that I would be a Chief someday, and then not. But when I reached Senior Master Sergeant, well it meant that I was the senior enlisted leader for the squadron. Working for […]

Senior non-commissioned officers lead teams and shape the future force, exerting tremendous influence across all levels of the Air Force. Throughout my career I have been fortunate and privileged to serve with many phenomenal men and women in these top three enlisted grades who emanate these Little Brown Book characteristics. During my two squadron commands […]

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana participated in Exercise Prairie Vigilance 24-3 here, April 6-12, 2024. PV is a routine training mission that enhances the safety, security and reliability of the bomber leg of the U.S. […]

Many kids of service members have no other frame of reference for life outside the military world. But then there are others who had the glimpse of “regular” life before a parent joined the Air Force. Twelve year old Abigail Miller, who likes to be called Abi, remembers her life several years ago when her […]

The Final Spike Steam Tour will depart Calgary on April 14, the one-year anniversary of the merger of CP and Kansas City Southern. Along the way the 2816 and CPKC business train will be on display in Moose Jaw, Sask.; Minot, N.D.; St. Paul, Minn.; Bensenville, Ill.; Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Mo.; Shreveport, La.; Laredo, […]

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler on Monday praised Melvina Murray, a mathematics teacher at Dakota Elementary School on the Minot Air Force Base, who has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. “As we celebrate the Month of the Military Child in North Dakota, it is especially fitting that […]

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Team (ADAPT) is collaborating with the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW) to host an informational event here on Minot AFB. This event is called ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE and will be both interactive as well as informative. The ADAPT and the IPPW teams hope to […]

There seems to be a lot of talk among the baby boomer generation about the generation of young Americans today who are just making their way in the world. Unfortunately, the talk isn’t so good and it’s mostly about alleged lack of motivation, lack of social skills and mostly about not wanting to work, but […]

In the trees I lurk, scanning the back door of a house on our block in the small town of Maddock, North Dakota. Am I up to something? Well, sort of. Today is May 1st…May Day. In my hand I have a small cup of candy, decorated with a handle made from a pipe cleaner […]

We’ve all heard the term “military brat” before. It pertains to those children who grew up in military families. “Brats” wear the name like a badge of honor, often because of the moves, stressors and cultural experiences that make them more resilient than their civilian counterparts. But outside of the military, the word brat is […]