Team Minot recognizes Maintenance Professionals of the Year

Written by: Airman First Class Kyle WIlson & Airman 1st Class Trust Tate 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kalandus Morgan, 5th Maintenance Group superintendent, conveys the weight of the Minot mission at the 5th Maintenance Group’s Maintenance Professionals of the Year awards banquet at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, May 25, 2023. Morgan stressed how possessing two thirds of the nuclear triad meant that the entire world was watching. U.S. Air Force photo I Airman 1st Class Trust Tate

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —
On May 25, the 5th and 91st Maintenance Groups hosted their Maintenance Professionals of the Year awards banquets. The events were held to recognize and honor outstanding Airmen assigned to the 5th and 91st MXGs who demonstrated exceptional performance and achievement during the previous year.


Col. Patrick Baum, 91st MXG commander, delivered the opening remarks for the 91st MXG’s MPOY awards banquet. He expressed his admiration for all the Airmen and everything they achieved over the past year in spite of obstacles they faced.
“I’m just in awe of all the Airmen here and what you’ve been able to achieve,” said Baum. “You’ve faced adversity on a daily basis and you just keep going after it every single day.”


Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Kovich, former 91st MXG commander, also attended the event and addressed the crowd. He stressed the importance of the 91st MXG’s mission and commended the Airmen for their efforts in accomplishing it.
“You all are an asset of national importance and your expertise is essential to defending our country,” said Kovich. “Millions have served before you, millions will serve after you, and you all are doing your part right here and now.”


Just a few hours later, Airmen and families from across Minot Air Force Base came together for the 5th Bomb Wing’s MPOY awards banquet.
The event honored maintenance members at the Group and Air Force Global Strike Command level with awards for their contributions to the mission.


“Whether it be on a Bomber Task Force somewhere across the globe, or at home station preparing for the daily sortie with minus 47 degree wind chill,” Senior Airman Johnathan Latham, 5th Maintenance Squadron, Aerospace Ground Equipment Apprentice, said. “The men and women of the 5th MXG stand as a living, breathing personification, that only the best come north.”


“The moment you received the Air Force Personnel Center notification informing you of your permanent change of station orders to the Magic City, I can only imagine the range of emotions you went through,” Latham said. “However, what you might not have realized is that you were joining a 66-year legacy of maintenance professionals that have maintained not only our nation, but the world.”

You May Also Like…

The Reutilization Rockstar

The Reutilization Rockstar

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --It was a hot day in August when my coworker and I walked into a warehouse with 80s rock music bouncing wall to wall. A cheery face with a grin ear to ear stepped out from behind boxes of equipment and and greeted us with a firm...

Bearing the Weight of Giants

Bearing the Weight of Giants

Aircrafts have changed our way of life. We can reach almost anywhere on the planet in two days or less, and this speed has taken our societies to new heights. It’s amazing to think about the sheer weight of a plane soaring in the air, however, an aircraft’s ability to...

Literally From The Ground Up-Craig Rudland Takes State Fair Reigns

Literally From The Ground Up-Craig Rudland Takes State Fair Reigns

“You know those small feet on the bottom of a ladder?’ Yep, I answer “Well I started below those, at the very, very bottom. I tell people I was the dirt underneath them feet” says new North Dakota State Fair Manager Craig Rudland. 2023 would mark the 42nd fair for...

0 Comments

Subscribe to our Weekly Post Brief

Subscribe to our Weekly Post Brief

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Northern Sentry

You have Successfully Subscribed!