The 5th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) recently traded hard hats, helmets and wrenches for water balloons and water guns as they held their much-anticipated Combat Dining-Out, an Air Force tradition that blends camaraderie, chaos, and celebration in a uniquely military way.
Held on May 22, 2025, and set against the backdrop of Minot’s improving spring weather, the event was more than just fun in the mud, it was a well-earned opportunity to recognize the hard work and endurance of a unit that literally keeps the base standing.
According to Lt Col Akira Nervik, 5th CES Commander, the event served a greater purpose beyond fun and competition. “You can’t spell deterrence without CE,” said Nervik. “The planes won’t take off, the missiles standing by and everybody else that works and lives on this base is supported by the infrastructure that the Civil Engineers maintain.”
The Combat Dining-Out is a longstanding Air Force tradition that mixes informal dining with military customs and an added twist of physical challenge and spirited rivalry. While dining-outs are typically formal affairs, the “combat” variant is its rugged, muddy cousin, complete with obstacle courses, tactical-themed attire, and a good measure of water balloons, food fights, and laughter.
“Love it! There should be more of it, and a place like this (Minot) should take advantage of the weather,” said Airman 1st Class Jacob Brown, clearly energized after several water balloon battles.
This year’s obstacle course was inspired by Tough Mudder endurance events, according to Master Sergeant Tyler Kurth, who took the lead in organizing the experience. Participants were divided into teams based on their shops, building both unit pride and healthy competition.
The course featured a series of physical and mental challenges from low crawls through thick mud and electrified obstacles to climbing walls and pool plunges. But more than a test of strength, it was a test of unity.
Lt Col Nervik emphasized that the event was a recognition of more than just physical grit, it honored the tireless commitment of Civil Engineers during one of the most challenging seasons of the year. “The men and women in Civil Engineering work incredibly hard, not just for the base, but for the missile field, the community, and everyone who calls this base home. We just came through a brutal winter, which is our playoff season. Everything breaks when it’s cold. These Airmen were out there every day, after hours, solving emergencies tied to our aging infrastructure. Giving them half a day to genuinely celebrate each other and the hard work they’ve done was an easy decision.”
He added that the Combat Dining-Out also served to look ahead, reinforcing the squadron’s sense of unity and readiness. “People need a place to blow off steam, in a way that’s safe, contained, and builds each other up. That’s what this is about, morale, cohesion, and pride in what we do.”
As the mud dried and the laughter faded into well-earned rest, the impact of the Combat Dining-Out remained clear: The 5th CES isn’t just building infrastructure, they’re building resilience, community, and combat-ready spirit, one muddy step at a time.
