Eighth Air Force commander applauds hard-working Minot Airmen

Published Oct. 5, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson, Eighth Air Force commander, recently visited Minot AFB Sept. 28 to 29 to show support for the outstanding flood and non-flood related work Airmen here have accomplished within the past year.

With more than 1,100 Airmen evacuating their homes due to the flood, the men and women of Minot AFB showed the general how hard they work to continuously support the mission, while trying to take care of their family affairs at home.

Through the many challenges, Minot Airmen have aided the community extensively during the disaster. Because of this generosity, the general said he was especially proud to represent Minot Airmen while at a community event in downtown Minot.

"Continue to do what you are doing," said the general. "Last night I was downtown at the Scandinavian Hall of Fame induction, and the downtown Minot community wanted me to thank all the Airmen. The Airmen are not only helping each other out, but they're also helping the community and have made such a big difference here and in the surrounding area."

The general continued to say that throughout his career, he has seen many devastating events like this.

"What's amazing about our Air Force family is the ability to help one another," said the general. "Airmen here are part of the Team Minot family, but they are also part of the entire Air Force family. The Airmen here are really doing some remarkable things. The downtown Minot community can't thank them enough."

With natural disasters comes the need for strong resiliency within the Air Force community. The general believes this is a critical topic for Minot Airmen.

"It's really important," said Wilson. "We look at what's going on with all of our families and all of our Airmen; they're under a lot of stress. They're working hard for their country. They come in with the intent of stepping up and making a difference, thinking they can make it better."

The general recognized that all Airmen endure many challenges, whether it is deploying to a hostile environment or just dealing with day to day hardships.

"The Airmen experience challenges with deployment, so we need to build that resiliency so that when times are tough, we have something to bounce back with," said the general. "We are like four-legged stools; we need to make sure we take care of ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We have to have balance in our life."

The general said that when Airmen are out of balance, it is usually when things aren't going well. Being resilient is key to overcoming these obstacles.

"We need to have the ability to bounce back," he continued. "That's another great thing about our Air Force; there are so many helping agencies out there for Airmen to utilize."

With Team Minot's resilient Airmen able to support the continuous bomber presence throughout the world, as well as to deter foreign enemies through the always ready and capable ICBM force, the general emphasized just how important this base's mission is.

"There is nothing more important than what our nation does to deter our adversaries," he said. "Minot Air Force Base is important with its two wings, the 91st Missile Wing and 5th Bomb Wing. Those two pieces are key elements of the nation's nuclear deterrence."

While the general emphasized the importance of the ICBM presence here and how very few nations have that capability, he also spoke highly of the base's bomber mission.

"Another thing this base has is its power projected capabilities," the general said. "Anytime our bombers move anywhere in the world, people pay attention. They are a visible reminder of America's global power and global commitment. When we are present in Guam, it reassures our friends and allies that we are there and part of their team. This is a visible deterrent. It assures our friends and allies and deters those who wish us harm."

The general said the Air Force Chief of Staff's number one priority is the nuclear enterprise. He said that Minot Airmen are doing a great job of supporting that mission.

"We re-strengthened this mission, we re-focused; it's something that has to be done right all the time," said Wilson. "It's not enough to say that it's okay. Perfection is the standard in our nuclear enterprise and Minot has continuously demonstrated that they are capable of meeting that standard, day in and day out."