National Guard Training Site, Garrison, N.D.- The 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) at Minot Air Force Base recently launched its first-ever Cold Weather Defender Course, a comprehensive training program designed to equip Security Forces members with the skills necessary to survive and thrive in the unforgiving cold of North Dakota. The first two groups of Defenders attended the three day course in February 2025, putting their skills to the test in some of the most extreme weather conditions.
This new course emphasized the importance of mastering the Airmen’s issued cold weather gear. The goal was not only to familiarize them with their equipment but to test their ability to endure and navigate the harsh conditions typical of the region. During the training, participants faced plummeting temperatures, wildlife, and the mental and physical challenges of surviving in extreme environments.
Colonel James Slaton, the 91st SFG Commander, explained that the purpose of this training was to focus on survival in North Dakota’s harsh cold weather, teaching Defenders how to properly use their gear and what actions to take if they ever find themselves in a situation where survival is essential. He emphasized that he wanted the Defenders to not only survive, but to be confident in their ability to navigate and thrive in the environment. Col Slaton also provided further insight into the training process, which was divided into three stages. On the first day, members learned how to build basic shelters and find water in the environment. The second stage involved refining shelter-building, fire-starting, and food-gathering techniques. Finally, the last stage focused on perfecting survival methods and learning how to signal for help using available resources, including fire.
Senior Airman Jakob Simpkins, the most junior enlisted member in the group assigned to the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, found the course invaluable. “I had very little prior knowledge about surviving in the cold,” SrA Simpkins admitted. “I had no idea how to survive in these temperatures, but now I know how to build shelters, make survival knots, and even cook and boil water safely. It’s been an amazing experience.”
Technical Sergeant Bryan Robinson of the 791st Missile Security Force Squadron reflected on the experience, emphasizing the importance of making the training as authentic as possible. While participants were allowed to bring additional items, Robinson stressed that the focus remained on using the gear issued by the military. “In this course, with the gear we were issued, we learned how to build primitive shelters (A-frame), start a fire, and survive using only the resources we had,” he said.
Staff Sergeant Nancy Veloz from the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, who had no prior experience in camping or outdoor survival said that the course was an eye-opening experience. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m glad I attended,” Veloz shared. “I learned so much about how to use the gear I’m issued and how to survive in the elements if needed.”
The training course was led by Security Forces Defenders assigned to the 91st Missile Security Operations Squadron, many of whom had previously attended Arctic Survival School in Alaska. Staff Sergeant Steven Smallacombe, the lead instructor for the course, shared his experiences and explained how the lessons learned in Alaska were brought back and incorporated into the training at Minot AFB. “We wanted to give our Defenders the best possible training using the lessons we learned from the Arctic course,” he said.
SSgt Smallacombe emphasized the importance of bringing this specialized training to Minot AFB, noting that it was driven by Colonel Slaton’s vision. “Colonel Slaton, the 91st SFG Commander, wanted our Defenders to not just survive in the North Dakota environment but to be comfortable in it. He doesn’t want them to be intimidated by the cold.”
The unpredictable weather in North Dakota played a crucial role in the course’s success. For the second group of Defenders who attended the course last week temperatures were in the 30s. However, the week for the group of Defenders that attended the course the week prior, temperature plummeted to nearly -40°F, providing varied winter conditions to truly test the limits of the Defenders’ gear and survival skills. According to SSgt Smallacombe, “We trained in -40 degree weather last week. The members were provided all the training they needed to survive, and by following instructions, the course went smoothly with minimal injury.”
The 91st SFG also worked closely with the 54th Helicopter Squadron assigned to Minot AFB to incorporate rescue maneuvers into the training. This partnership added an important element of realistic rescue operations to the course, ensuring that Defenders are prepared for any eventuality in the field.
The Cold Weather Defender Course marks an important milestone for Minot AFB’s Security Forces, preparing personnel for the unique challenges posed by the North Dakota environment. With the continued commitment to survival training, the 91st SFG is helping its Defenders build the mental and physical resilience necessary to excel in even the most extreme conditions.
