Five years ago, the world came to a screeching halt. We were all flipped inside out, and yet told to hunker down at home to “stay safe.” It was a time of confusion, fear, and contradictions. What started as “two weeks to flatten the curve” became years of social distancing, lockdowns, and evolving health mandates. At first, masks were said to be ineffective and meant only for healthcare workers—then not wearing one made you a “grandma killer.” Toilet paper became a hot commodity, and spring 2020 felt like the start of a strange, surreal new world.
Looking back, many of us now laugh at the unique, often bizarre circumstances of that spring and summer. But when we were in it, with no clear end in sight, the uncertainty felt crushing.
Ask anyone about their experience during COVID, and you’ll hear a different story every time. Each person’s challenges were shaped by their beliefs, circumstances, and family or work life. Almost everyone can name at least one way the pandemic shifted the trajectory of their life—and life at Minot AFB was no exception.
Mil spouse Kaija Tilstra shared her COVID experience, which began just months after her family arrived at Minot.
“We got here right before midnight on December 30, 2019,” she said. “We had a spectacular welcome by our squadron (5 CES) and settled into our TLF room, not realizing we’d be in that room for nearly three months.”
As the pandemic set in, base protocols tightened. Cleaning staff could no longer enter rooms, so supplies were left outside the doors. “I didn’t mind the extra cleaning,” Kaija said, but she did imply that the cramped space was wearing them down.
Fortunately, the family got into a house and received their household goods just one day before all PCS Household deliveries were halted. “All in all,” she reflected, “our experience wasn’t the worst. Looking back, I can finally laugh at the chaos instead of feeling frustrated.”
If you weren’t stationed here at the time, here’s a snapshot of what life was like on Minot AFB in the early pandemic days. While the timeline mirrored much of the country, it often felt like a slow trickle of new restrictions every day:
March 20, 2020 – Base schools and CDCs remained open, though the first confirmed COVID case (a non-military employee) was reported.
March 16–20 – North Dakota governor ordered state-wide school closures.
March 25 – Minot AFB elevated to HPCON Charlie (with little explanation for many about what that meant).
March 27 – Norsk Høstfest was canceled months ahead of schedule, along with the Minot Shrine Circus.
April 10 – Air Force mandated mask use, but gave commanders discretion on enforcement for civilian employees.
April 17 – New arrivals to North Dakota were required to quarantine for two weeks.
The MAFB school liaison even launched a base-wide coloring contest with a $300 prize—anything to boost morale.
And that was just the beginning. Airmen from the 91st Missile Wing had to extend the length of their missile field tours and begin two-week quarantines prior to posting. Entire organizations restructured operations. Some of those changes ended up improving processes in ways that still benefit the base today. The entire Team Minot worked to secure the MAFB mission despite the new set of challenges.
Five years later, most people don’t want to talk about COVID anymore. We’ve moved on to today’s worries and political debates. It feels like a distant memory, but when you dig into it, those old emotions of fear, isolation, and confusion quickly resurface.
So, how do you feel now, looking back on the pandemic?
Did it shape you? Change your path? Leave a scar—or perhaps, a lesson?
