MAFB – TheMinotVoice.com

91st Missile Wing ushers in a new era of MMIII transporters

By: Airman 1st Class Wesley Davies, Minot Air Force Base | January 17, 2025

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – For the past 37 years the Transporter Erector (TE) has been a fundamental piece of equipment for operational readiness of the Minuteman III (MMIII) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. These vital pieces of equipment are responsible for transporting MMIII across vast distances, utilizing public roads to reach strategic locations,

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Air Force Base

Tech. Sgt. Brandee Hahn: Wingman, Leader, Warrior

By: Airman 1st Class Alyssa Bankston, Minot Air Force Base | December 22, 2024

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. — The room felt unnaturally still as if the world outside had paused, holding its breath. The sterile, cold air of the medical group applying pressure, a weight that couldn’t be shaken. A Major entered the room. A primal instinct began to scream this wasn’t a routine visit. Something

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Inside the nuclear missile silos that would have fought World War III

by: MinotVoice | December 19, 2024

Deep beneath South Dakota’s prairies lies a relic of tense days gone by: the Delta-1 Launch Control Facility. Jim Boensch, a retired Air Force major, guides visitors through this preserved slice of Cold War history. Once poised to unleash devastating power, the decommissioned facility now invites reflection on a time when nuclear tensions ran high.

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Cancer Clusters Among Misileers? Air Force to Conduct Study that Includes Minot AFB

by: Josh Wolsky | February 23, 2023

Last month, the story broke that the Air Force is looking at cases of cancer that may be linked to working in Malmstrom AFB missile silos. Yesterday, the Air Force announced it will conduct an official study by the Air Force School of Aerospace and it will include Minot. Get the full story from the

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

Community Leaders Advocate for Military Support Dollars At Legislature

by: Josh Wolsky | January 25, 2023

Leaders from North Dakota communities with a military presence are lobbying the legislature for state support. Minot, Grand Forks, and Fargo are all in the game, with the hopes of delivering $1.9 million in state funding to the communities. Each would receive $400,000, with Minot set to receive an additional $500,000 due to the upcoming

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

How to re-engine a B-52 and make a new bomber fleet

by: Josh Wolsky | January 9, 2023

Minot Air Force Base’s B-52 Bombers are part of a fleet that’s been flying missions for over 70 years. It’s a testament to the aircraft’s design and ability, and it’s a role that’s expected to continue for another 30 years, at least. But to extend the life is going to take new engines, and that’s

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MAFB Participates in Historic Agreement Signing over Sentinal Program

by: Josh Wolsky | December 22, 2022

The Minuteman III missile silos around Minot and at other Air Force installations are overdue for an upgrade; getting that project underway requires the cooperation and support of many partners and Native American nations. Developing a construction program that’s inclusive of all the partners has been a big undertaking, and the end of that work

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Air Force continues to make big investments at Minot base

by: Josh Wolsky | May 14, 2019

From operational improvements to quality of life investments for active duty personnel and their families, The federal government continues to make big investments into Minot Air Force Base. Eloise Ogden with Minot Daily News has the full story on the long list of what’s new at the base. Correction: Eloise Ogden has been updated as

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Grand Forks base committee talks Global Hawk, D.C. trip

by: Josh Wolsky | May 11, 2019

The work to inform and secure stronger missions for North Dakota’s Air Force bases is never-ending. And in Grand Forks, that work has led to the possible redesignation of the Grand Forks base’s mission to provide a larger role in the operation of various Global Hawks in service for the Air Force. Emily Allen with

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Orders to Minot?

by: Josh Wolsky | April 9, 2019

At the main gate of Minot Air Force Base the sign reads, “Only the Best Come North.” For those unaccustomed to North Dakota and the challenges and rewards life here presents — the saying seems foreign. But after time, one military spouse found some perspective on being stationed in Minot. Check out this article from

Read & Share sourced from: Military Families

Minot AFB Funding Included in Latest National Defense Appropriation

by: Josh Wolsky | July 2, 2018

The following news release regarding national defense spending relevant to North Dakota and Minot was issued by Congressman Cramer. — Official News Release, Congressman Cramer Congressman Kevin Cramer announced sweeping improvements at the Minot Air Force Base funded in H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations Act of 2019. Cramer joined a majority of

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MAFB: Contractors Begin Preparations for ICBM Upgrades

by: Josh Wolsky | November 20, 2016

Three defense department contractors, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and Northrop Grumman, are in competition for a massive federal defense department contract that will upgrade the nation’s three ICBM missile wings — one of which is operated by Minot Air Force Base. That competition brought Lockheed-Martin executives to Minot this week. Eloise Ogden has the story with The

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

MAFB Upgrades in Obama’s Federal Budget

by: Josh Wolsky | February 13, 2016

President Obama’s 2017 Federal budget includes earmarks for several upgrades at Minot Air Force Base. Eloise Ogden writing for The Minot Daily News has the story, but it requires entrance through a Google search page.

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

Air Force Has $600 Million Impact on Local Economy

by: Josh Wolsky | February 10, 2016

The economic impact Minot Air Force Base delivers to Minot can be calculated, but it’s importance to the community can’t be overstated. And one of the annual tasks the Air Force takes on is estimating their annual contribution to the local economy. It’s a significant number, close to $600 million. The news release on the

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Grand Forks Air Force Base Well Positioned for UAV Mission

by: Josh Wolsky | February 10, 2016

It wasn’t that many years ago that the future of the Grand Forks Air Force Base was in question, but with the rise of the unmanned aerial system industry (UAS, UAV), the base is now positioned better than ever. And the industry is driving new education opportunities as well private sector investment in the community.

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Teddy Roosevelt Impersonator Recieves Bully Stick

by: Josh Wolsky | August 25, 2015

Photo: Joe Weigand, a Teddy Roosevelt impersonator, relishes his bully stick with Col. Jason Armagost (right), 5th Bomb Wing commander, and Col. Michael Lutton (left), 91st Missile Wing commander, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Aug. 15, 2015. Weigand performed before the Lt. Dan Band where he talked about the heritage and history of North

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