Category: Personal

Trains, Trains and …Trains

The city of Minot has a rich history with trains and the railroad. In fact, it was the railroad that created the town itself. According to the City of Minot website, “Minot came into existence in 1886, when Jim Hill’s Great Northern Railroad ended its push through the state for the winter, after having trouble […]

Military Single Parents Support Group Reaches Minot

It’s a Small Air Force– This phrase is spoken when referring to the way words, needs or people travel within the Air Force. Even though there are bases all over the world, many members and families find themselves meeting up with old friends or discovering that the struggles of people in the military are universal […]

Save Your Speed for When You’re Near the Finish Line

Running is my favorite sport and I like when my legs are moving fast. I ran at the Minot Park District Olympics in June and July. This summer I ran at the Duane Carlson Stadium at Minot High School. I ran on Wednesdays in the afternoon.I always feel ready for track. To get ready, I […]

Fitness Feature: Marathon Training

The Air Force active duty members are a physically fit group of people. Many choose to go above and beyond their annual PT training and aim for higher goals. A group of Airmen on Minot AFB have set their sights on participating in the esteemed Air Force Marathon on September 17 and are working together […]

Defenders in Action

Courtesy of TSgt Johann A. Gonzalez On the 24 of June 2022 members of the 5th Security Forces Stan Eval and Weapons & Tactics sections hosted Cadets from the Air Force Academy during a visit put on by the 5th Bomb Wing. Cadets had an opportunity to immerse themselves within the Security Forces Career field […]

A Day at the Base Pool

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon when the temperature barely reached 82 degrees and the slight breeze made the cloud spotted sky a perfect day at the pool in Minot ND, this reporter caught up with some Minot AFB swimming pool goers to find out what they enjoyed the most about going to the pool. Married […]

Best Bases in the Air Force: Hanscom Air Force Base

There are so many large and frequently talked about Air Force Bases either for the good or the bad. Each AF family that has been around a while will have a story to share when asked, “Where has been your favorite base?”. The purpose of this “Best Base” feature series is to highlight the lesser-known […]

Recommended: Amtrak

Would you like to travel on a train? I rode the Amtrak train from Minot to Chicago for Thanksgiving last year with my family. The train was magical. It swayed back and forth and rode the rails extremely fast. We went from Minot Station to Union Station in Chicago. Trains have different cars which allow […]

The Other Dakota: Worth the Drive – A road trip must for everyone at Minot

I’m a traveler now. I wasn’t always. After we were stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England, about 10 years ago, I uncovered a European attitude that I wasn’t aware existed. The Europeans (much before Covid) all seemed to adopt a traveling spirit that I hadn’t found in the 25 years I lived in the US. Traveling […]

On the Journey to College

If you have a college bound high school junior or senior, there are many tasks to accomplish in preparation for college applications. This can often be overwhelming for students and parents. However, the summer is the perfect time to begin planning and preparing for this journey. Over the next several weeks, we will break down […]

A New Design:
Thursdays in
Downtown Minot

I was rushing to eat my vegan cheese bagel in the car. I didn’t want to waste this delicious snack! As I hurried to eat, my mom came closer to pick me up. Once I finished with my bagel, I walked up to my mom excited to enjoy downtown Minot. We came up to Margie’s […]

Best Bases in the Air Force:
Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson

A common first topic of discussion amongst any newly-introduced Air Force family is, “Where all have you been stationed? And where has been your favorite?” This usually leads to many fascinating conversations about the military life experience, such as how one person’s dream location is another family’s worst nightmare. It cannot be avoided that some […]

Col Walters Reflects on Minot

Col. Michael Walters and his family arrived at Minot Air Force Base in the midst of a COVID 19 Pandemic. The entire group that gathered for the change of command wore masks and chairs were social distanced. By contrast, Col. Walters handed off the guidon for the 5th Bomb Wing to Col. Daniel Hoadley with […]

The Northern Sentry
Welcomes Col’s Hoadley and McGhee

Not every Air Force base has a community newspaper like the Northern Sentry. Yes, our paper is certainly unique in that we generate stories about Minot Air Force Base and are vigilant in providing base organizations a communications resource for Minot AFB events. The Northern Sentry is also a resource for human interest stories about […]

Avoid the summer slide with Tutor.com

It is summer and the weather provides ample opportunity to be outdoors! Our K-12 Minot AFB students and families are actively involved in activities in and around the Minot area. However, there is an incredible resource at our finger tips to keep students academically engaged to combat the impact of the “summer slide.” This resource […]

Medora is a MUST

Medora, both the town and its renowned musical, is the ‘Pride of North Dakota!’ You will be amazed with the natural beauty and state pride that resonates from this small town. If you are like me, from a large and very proud state (ahem Texas), then thinking that any other state -especially one as seemingly […]

The Mil Spouse Photographer: Capturing the Moments of Life and Loving It!

Military spouses have historically had a rough time in securing careers of their own. However, mil spouses are resilient and have found many ways to have a fulfilling career, move with their spouse and create an income. There are a plethora of spouses who have found ways to work and succeed, but this article will […]

ScriptCenter Locker
sets to open in July

Department of Defense beneficiaries at Minot Air Force base will soon have the option of picking up prescription medication refills from a secure locker system starting July 12, 2022. The locker system will increase accessibility while fostering good social distancing practices by decreasing face-to-face interactions and being located by other frequented areas on base. The […]

Final Events Make it Real

The UH-1N Huey helicopter announced its arrival long before it came into view. It was one of those perfect, blue sky days at Minot Air Force Base. The gathering waited for touchdown and the embarkment of Col Christopher Menuey on his fini helo flight, final helicopter flight for us civilians, as Commander of the 91st […]

The Talley’s Return to Minot

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — It was 1970 at Minot Air Force Base, the Airman’s club was hosting a dance competition. James Talley, a Missile Maintenance Technician with the 91st Missile Wing, was in attendance with some of his friends who had told him of some new arrivals at Minot, some of the first […]

Dakota Elementary’s
Mrs. Shelby Brown Retires

Teachers have always worked extremely hard. But these days, more than ever, quality school teachers are a blessing. This appreciation for teachers was exemplified at the on base Dakota Elementary School. During the yearly “Teacher Appreciation Week,” which was held the week of May 2-6, Dakota treated its teachers to breakfast from Bearscat Bakehouse, a […]

John Sinn
A Man Who Served His
Country and His Community

The obituary of John Sinn tells of his military duty, serving in WWII, his life as a husband and father, and finally it talks about John Sinn, community volunteer who spent hundreds of hours as a volunteer, most notably the “go to guy” at the Scandinavian Heritage Park.I first met John and Olive when my […]

Family Child Care
Celebrates Month of the Military Child

Family Child Care providers offer valuable in-home child care services to Minot AFB families and these professionals actively celebrated Month of the Military Child!Individually, many showcased decorative home displays donning purple paint, family pictures, and that dandelion message of resilience that we’ve all grown to love. Some dyed purple shirts and others baked purple treats […]

A Mother’s Day Tribute: Military Moms

Mother’s Day weekend is here again. It’s the time of year where moms everywhere get extra love, hugs and ‘maybe’ a little extra time to sleep. While this Sunday is a day to celebrate all moms everywhere, here at the Northern Sentry, we would like to give a special shout-out to our active duty mothers […]

The North Dakota Outdoors are Calling— Finally!

The sun is shining, the grass is attempting to get greener and all of Minot AFB is aching to get out and enjoy some warmth! The Minot Outdoor Recreation Center is here to assist. Last Friday, the ODRC hosted an Open House to show off all the equipment they rent, the trips they plan and […]