As I approach my 49th year living in Minot, North Dakota, there are events that still cause me to stop and reflect on how the Minot Air Force Base affects this community on a daily basis.
Not for any reason in particular, I will start with the flyover of a B 52 on final approach to Minot Air Force Base. It seems so surreal when you hear those jet engines and immediately look to the sky for that signature silhouette. I will watch them until they disappear into the horizon. When I used to help on the farm south of Velva I would catch a B 52 on a low level practice run, again watching in amazement as they flew so low with a deliberate purpose, I am guessing, in their training protocol.
The other event that is hard to describe is when you meet a convoy that is moving a missile. Leading the convoy in the air will be a UH-1 Huey helicopter, followed by the blue and white U.S. Marshal vehicles and then a variety of security vehicles including the BearCat which is one mean looking security vehicle.
Well-Orchestrated
I have often thought about how well orchestrated the movement of a missile or a warhead is. If you watch enough of them go by, you have a sense of just “what’s next”. And then of course there are variables that certainly affect the convoys, like road construction or road conditions. It can be 100 degrees and windy or -40 degrees with even lower windchills and the convoys still go on.
It happened that yesterday I met a convoy, and last night I had Minot City Band practice. The City Band director, David Rolandson, talked about how important it was that every section in the band be heard, and just as important, every section of the band has to play well. That is kind of how the basic idea of this article came to be. For both the B 52 and the missile convoys, every member of the team has to show up and do their job. You can’t get a B 52 airborne without every piece of the puzzle being in place. And could you imagine trying to pull into a major intersection with 2 lanes of traffic coming from every direction and not have a plan and the personnel to control that intersection and get the missile convoy safely through and headed on their way to wherever they are going. It’s not exactly a band per se, but it would be fair to say that every member of the convoy needs to be heard, and conversely every member of the convoy and B 52 flight team needs to do their job.
A Final Story
I love sharing stories that I hear about Airmen (big A Airmen) who perform at a high level, going above and beyond in doing their job. I have the privilege of interviewing Col’s Lamarand and Schlabach once a year. After finishing my questions, I always ask them if there is anything additional they would like to add? In this case it was a story Col Schlabach shared, and I will share here and later when his interview article is printed in the Northern Sentry.
It was during the 2025 Nuclear Surety Inspection and the Airmen of the 91st had to move a missile as part of that inspection. Col Schlabach explained that it was winter and the weather was typical for North Dakota, wind and snow. Of the 2 Airmen on the TE (Transport Erector), one had no experience, and the other had a total of 5 trips. “It’s just the way it kind of fell into place” according to Col Schlabach. The story would end with the inspection team informing Col Schlabach that his 91st Team absolutely “nailed it.”
Back to the orchestra. There are concerts that happen where the band and the direction get in sync, and they absolutely nail the concert. Some songs that were “suspect” in practice turn out perfect. And that is the way it is every day with Team Minot. There is no room for complacency when you have 2 of the most powerful nuclear weapons located on one base. And to the 2 young Airmen who “nailed it” during the recent Nuclear Surety Inspection: congratulations! And thank you.
Where To Be This Week?
The Medora Musical is no secret to anyone who has lived in North Dakota for any length of time. But early reviews are that this 60th edition of the musical is spectacular. “The best I’ve ever seen” according to someone who has attended a lot of Medora Musicals.
July 13th is Veteran’s and Military Appreciation Day. Veterans and Military get in for FREE! It’s not too late to go online and get your tickets and enjoy “The Greatest Show in the West.” More information on Medora.com.
Today’s Chuckle
You know you’re really old when you tell someone your age and they don’t even pretend to be surprised
