This year’s theme “101 Days of Summer” invited photographers to capture the essence of Summer through their lenses and showcase their creativity, talent, and love for the vibrant season. The nearly 400 entries included joyful beach days, refreshing poolside moments, delightful family gatherings, captivating sunsets, thrilling outdoor adventures, and quiet moments in nature’s embrace. For […]

Basic allowance for housing, or BAH, rates for 2024 will increase by an average of 5.4%. The new rates, which are paid to all U.S.-based active-duty members of the uniformed services when government quarters are unavailable, take effect Jan. 1. “The proposed 5.2% basic pay increase plus the 5.4% increase in the basic allowance for housing […]

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —A new program, Operation Home for the Holidays, was recently instituted by U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Hoadley, 5th Bomb Wing commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Kenneth McGhee, 91st Missile Wing commander, with the city of Minot Chamber of commerce. This program was put in place to raise funds for […]

When one year comes to an end and the other begins, it is a natural time to reflect on the year past and to hopes for what the new year may bring.Of course, resolutions abound – lose weight, quit smoking, finally take that trip you’ve been promising yourself. There’s an infinite number of possibilities. I’ve […]

You’ll notice that this is our annual “Year in Review” edition. It’s always fun to look back at the stories that made the Northern Sentry a great periodical in 2023. Take a few minutes to read and reminisce. Those of us who contribute regularly to the Northern Sentry, and our Weekly Post Brief email edition, […]

Because we aren’t most people who go to Grandma’s house for Christmas, it was a traveling holiday to Rapid City, S.D., and back. It’s a long trip, nearly 1,000 miles round trip and just to do something different, we took U.S. Highway 85 from Watford City to Spearfish, even though it’s a little out of […]

If your newsfeed is anything like mine, it’s filling up with lists of 2023’s best/worst moments, and ways to improve your 2024. Maybe those lists have sunk into my subconscious, or maybe it’s I’ve spent too many late nights scrolling BuzzFeed—but I’ve been inspired to create my own list for Minot Hotdishers only. Here are […]

Last winter, after a particularly intense winter storm where most everyone was snowed in, there was one Minot Airman who suffered through the freezing temps and backbreaking work to help clear snow-covered driveways on base for trapped families. That Airman was SrA Jacob Willette, 791 MSFS. The Northern Sentry covered the story last year (https://northernsentry.com/2023/01/20/snow-shoveling-airman-donates-350-to-afas/) […]

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and Air Force Global Strike Command released the complete results of the Round 1 Environmental Sampling effort at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Minot AFB, North Dakota, today. The environmental sampling effort is half of the Missile […]

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Organizations at Hill Air Force Base played a key role in completing a data consolidation project that will enhance the logistics tracking and management of munitions across the Air Force. The project, which was initiated in response to a 2020 Headquarters Air Force directive to merge the Integrated Missile […]

One of my most significant pieces of advice for new military spouses is to build a village wherever you go.A village is a group of people who are your people. They’re your support system, the ones you call if your world falls apart, they’re the friends who don’t judge you, but judge with you. They’re […]

An innovative new law passed by the ND State legislature in 2023 can reduce taxes for individuals, businesses, and corporations, while freeing up more funds to help women, men, and families. According to section II of HB 1176, “a taxpayer is entitled to a credit against the (North Dakota) income tax liability … for contributions […]

This month’s AFMC connect is about Caring. Caring is at the forefront of not only being a First Sergeant, but an Airman in the United States Air Force. It is part of our Airmen’s Creed; “Never leave an Airman behind.” According to Webster’s Dictionary, caring is defined as “displaying kindness and concern for others.” There […]

This is my last column…for 2023. So often I hear about the awesome support that the community of Minot gives the Minot Air Force Base. That may be true, but it’s a 2-way street, and it’s only fair to bring into focus what the Minot Air Force Base does for Minot, each and every year. […]

Every December dedicated bird watchers conduct Christmas Bird Counts throughout the United States. Several of the counts are conducted annually in the Minot Area. The counts are part of a national effort led by the Audubon Society.Though I have never considered myself a serious birder, I’ve been present at numerous bird counts over the years […]

I think most people will agree that Christmas was around too long and now that it’s in the rear-view mirror we wonder where the time went. Honestly, I could have written this article two months ago, but I refused, waiting until Christmas was past before voicing my opinion about said holiday. I get why retailers […]

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —The 5th Bomb Wing conducted SURGE Week here from Dec. 12 – 14. SURGE Week tests warfighting capabilities, focusing on training efforts for scenarios where a large number of sorties need to be produced swiftly and efficiently. Typically, the goal of SURGE Week is to produce 50% more flights than […]

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —Like physical fitness, good mental health is a central part of military life, and shouldn’t be hidden or ignored. There are several resources available to help Airmen struggling with mental health challenges. This year, Air Force mental health leaders implemented a new initiative to improve Airmen’s access to mental health […]

Most parents won’t admit it, but being a parent is both the absolute best thing in the world and, simultaneously, the worst. Some painfully honest parents will admit that the tiny joyful moments and everlasting love feelings we have for our kids don’t always squash the overwhelming stress, confusion, discipline and tiredness that also comes […]

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. —U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Colin Connor, Air Force Global Strike Command A10 director, appeared on an Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Deterrence Center virtual forum to discuss the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system, formerly known as the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, on Nov. 29, here. The focus of the […]