Chief of staff: Minot Airmen key to Air Force mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  The Air Force chief of staff addressed more than 1,500 Airmen gathered here April 1 to discuss teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in maintaining standards in the nuclear business.

Gen. Norton Schwartz talked to Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing by saying, "It's wonderful to be back at Minot."

The general and his wife, Suzie, visited the North Dakota installation to interact with Airmen and thank them for their service and commitment.

The general began his all-call by asking the audience where they were from, what squadron they call home. Each unit gave a roar of applause as he called for them by name.

Consequently, the general reminded the crowd that all Airmen are a part of the same family and no job is any more important than another.

"The bottom line is everybody counts. Everyone makes a difference," he said. "The Air Force does many important missions and we don't succeed as a team unless we all do our jobs."

Everybody matters, he said, including Minot Air Force Base Airmen. 

The nuclear business is "no cream puff duty and no one knows that as well as Minot," General Schwartz said.

Minot AFB is the only dual-wing, nuclear-capable base in the Air Force, having both bombers and missiles.

"I'm here to tell you I appreciate your commitment," the general said.