Peter Hankla has been active in Task Force 21 since 1999. My guess is that when given the opportunity to be part of Task Force 21 back in 1999 Peter Hankla was probably seen as one of the “younger community leaders” that were recruited to bolster Task Force 21 as the focus switched from retaining Minot Air Force Base to making sure that the base had meaningful and impactful missions.
As with Mark Jantzer, outgoing chairman of Task Force 21, I was able to spend a few minutes with Peter in his office to talk specifically about the chairman position, and some of the other civic leaders who are on Task Force 21.
It’s part of my job as a reporter for the Northern Sentry to attend the many events at Minot Air Force Base and write stories about the meaning and impact that these events have on both the city of Minot and of course the Minot Air Force Base community. As I somewhat covered in my interview with Mark Jantzer, the time and resources that someone like Peter Hankla put into Task Force 21 pretty much goes unnoticed by most of the citizens of Minot. But let’s just say that when you accept the chairman position of Task Force 21 you know that there will be a number of times when schedules between your private life, and Task Force 21, will conflict. And then it comes down to making tough choices. I take my hat off to folks like Mark Jantzer, and Bruce Christianson, and Peter Hankla, and Jason Zimmerman…well actually a large thank you is owed to all of the members of Task Force 21 because they have done their job, and in my opinion they have done it well.
I would also like to point out that there is never a time when Task Force 21, and the community of Minot, can put it in “cruise control.” There needs to be consistent monitoring on several different fronts. It starts with the Federal Government and staying in touch with Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, and representative Julie Fedorchak. The next 5 years are critical for Minot Air Force Base starting with the new MH 139-A Grey Wolf helicopter. It’s exciting to see the skyline at Minot Air Force Base change dramatically with the new building that will house the Grey Wolf, and all of the other security missions that go along with the 91st Missile Wing. Right behind, and somewhat concurrent is the reengining of the B-52’s. Peter Hankla and I spent quite a bit of time talking about how significant this project, along with development and production Long Range Stand Off Missiles, will be for Minot AFB. And then of course there is the Sentinel Missile program that will re-define nuclear deterrence as it refers to ICBM’s. “There really isn’t a for-sure definition of how that project will play out” says Hankla “we only know that they have taken it back to the development stage, and we hope to hear more about Sentinel very soon.”
The Federal Government is the tip of the spear for Minot AFB, but not too far down the ladder are our state and local governments. There is a realization about the importance of not only Minot Air Force Base, but Grand Forks AFB and of course the ND National Guard. I consider North Dakota to be very military friendly. But because of the size of our state and our smaller population we don’t always have the loudest squeak when it comes to making noise about what we need, and how we can help cities like Minot and Grand Forks in maintaining a good relationship between the base community and the cities surrounding the bases.
So, the torch has been passed, and now Peter Hankla holds the reigns to Task Force 21. There is a lot of history that defines Task Force 21, but unfortunately because of the ever changing world we are in, there is still a lot of history to be written. Task Force 21 is in good hands. Not only because of a leader like Peter Hankla, but because the community of Minot is in full support.
Best Kept Secrets
You’ll catch an add for the Vincent United Methodist Rummage & Bake Sale. I encourage you to check out this event, and especially check out the caramel rolls. WOW! They are the best! So good that they will sell out quickly. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 22nd. You won’t be disappointed.
Today’s Chuckle
History only repeats itself if you weren’t paying attention the first time.
