Unique mission: Guarding a space wing missile complex

  • Published
  • By Michael Tolzmann
  • Air Force Print News
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) --  The rolling prairie hills here are blanketed with wind-driven swaying fields of golden grain. With an average of nine people per square mile in this state, the farm lands here seem to be a postcard setting for tranquil, peaceful living.

Appearances can be deceiving.

One hundred and fifty Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles are scattered throughout the countryside here, positioned below farmer's grain fields. More than 700 Airmen from the 91st Security Forces Group are standing at the ready to protect them. Huey helicopters, humvees with mounted machine guns and security forces Airmen donned in Kevlar helmets and carrying ammunition play a vital role in guarding this strategic Air Force resource.

According to 91st Security Forces Group Commander Col. John McBrien, the missions missile security forces Airmen perform are unique.

"Unlike most other security forces in the Air Force, we only concentrate on the ICBM mission here. I don't own the base. I don't own the flightline. I don't own the weapons storage area. I don't own the gates. I don't own the base patrols. We concentrate on the 8,500 square mile missile field complex here. It's a very focused mission for us.

"Here, the environment plays a very large part in what we do. It's not like an on-base mission. When you go out, you're out in the field or at a site for 10, 12, 24-hours, depending on circumstances. But when it's 57 (degrees) below (zero), like we had a couple of days last winter, that's a challenge," Colonel McBrien said.

"I'd say this is very different from most other jobs," said Airman 1st Class Cody Chick, 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron.  "I was expecting to work on a flightline, or at the gates. We don't have much training on missiles in tech school, just a small segment, so I didn't know what to expect when I got here.  We have a lot more specialized training here, like tactics to cover the 'top side.' I would like to see the law-enforcement side of this job as well, but then again, this is really a neat experience.

"I think it's kind of unreal ... working around a nuclear weapon every day. It's like, 'I'm right on top of a nuclear weapon right now.' It's kind of crazy to think about. Not many people have that kind of opportunity. It's pretty interesting," Airman Chick said.

The around-the-clock on-site defense of the missiles includes security with missile convoy escorts, and quick reaction to threats. Security forces also spend up to four days at a time at a Missile Alert Facility.

"If there is an alarm at one of the sites, we could send responders out on helicopters, humvees or use security forces from a near-by site," said Master Sgt. Peter Hart, 91st Security Support Squadron training superintendent.

"America is depending on us, and I mean that literally, to make sure these resources are safely protected en route to the launch facility and back here to Minot Air Force Base. So we have a duel-fold mission on base and out in missile fields," said Staff Sgt. Javier Gonzalez, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron.

"Our training is intense. We train for just about anything. From riots to protestors, and worst of all, someone actually trying to penetrate a launch facility," said Sergeant Gonzalez.

"If you consider the impact of what we're guarding, it can get a little overwhelming. But with our personnel reliability program, where we're watching each other, it helps make sure we have reliable people around," Sergeant Hart said.

"We're out there to let people know that if they're monitoring us and if they're projecting to do something that's hostile, they'll have a hard force to compete against. We're definitely out there. We definitely have force. And we'd definitely respond with a lethal timeliness. We're out there for one reason; to defend our nation's most valuable resource," said Sergeant Gonzalez.

The 91st Security Forces Group provides command and control for three squadrons -- the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron and the 91st Security Support Squadron. The Group ensures their Airmen are trained, organized and equipped to secure the 91st Space Wing's 150 missiles. The Minot-based 54th Helicopter Squadron supports the Group with seven UH-1N Huey helicopters. 

In addition to the security force Airmen at Minot, there are similar groups of security forces guarding the missile complexes of the 90th Space Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.