Air Force secretary visits Minot to thank Airmen

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen here Dec. 23 and 24.

"The Airmen here are doing an outstanding job," Secretary Donley said. "Minot carries a heavy load and is always very busy, but I feel the Airmen and leadership team here are very supportive of each other and key to accomplishing the Air Force mission."

During his trip to Minot AFB, Secretary Donley visited several of the base's key facilities, including a missile alert facility and the dining facility. He also met with several key community leaders during a dinner meeting in the city of Minot.

He said what impressed him the most was the dedication and professionalism of all who served at the base, particularly given the challenging mission and weather climate.

"Minot has a very important mission of two dimensions -- bombers and missiles," the secretary said. "This two-dimensional mission can be complicated to support. It is complicated even more by the harsh environment our Airmen face here."

The support of family and community is important to Airmen being able to accomplish the nuclear deterrence and global strike mission, Secretary Donley said.

"Our Air Force is hardworking -- 24/7 for 365 days a year," he said. "We can't do what we do, as efficiently and productively, without the support of our families and the communities we live in."

As such, the secretary said Minot AFB Airmen bear a great responsibility and expressed his appreciation for their performance.

"This community serves a very important mission and Minot is doing an outstanding job," he said. "I would like to say thank you for your integrity and commitment to service."