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==History==
==History==
Minot Air Force Base officially opened in [[1957]]. The base started out as an [[Air Defense Command]] Base.
Construction of Minot Air Force Base initiated on 19 May 1956, and the base officially opened on 10 January [[1957]].

=== Air Defense Command Use ===

The initial USAF host unit was the [[Air Defense Command]] (ADC) '''32d Air Base Group''', activating on 8 Feburary 1957.

The ADC '''32d Fighter Group''' was the first operational unit at Minot, with it's '''433d Fighter-Interceptor squadron'''. However, no aircraft were assigned to the unit, and January 1958 the 433d FIS was inactivated. It was replaced in Feburary 1960 by the '''5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron''' (The Spittin Kittens) was transferred to Minot from Suffolk County Airport, N.Y The 5th FIS flew the [[F-106|Convair F-106 Delta Dagger]]. .

ADC F-106 operations continued at Minot until the command was deactivated in 1979.


A [[Semi Automatic Ground Environment]] (SAGE) facility was built and activated in June [[1961]]. SAGE was housed in a huge, windowless blast-resistant concrete building with a pair of 275-ton computers. The computers processed air surveillance information and sent the data to Air Defense Command units. While the SAGE network operated until [[1983]], the Minot AFB website says the Minot SAGE facility was deactivated after less than two years of operation, in May [[1963]]. The facility was then renamed the PRIDE Building ("Professional results in daily effort") and became a large office building (four stories including the basement) housing many different organizations.
A [[Semi Automatic Ground Environment]] (SAGE) facility was built and activated in June [[1961]]. SAGE was housed in a huge, windowless blast-resistant concrete building with a pair of 275-ton computers. The computers processed air surveillance information and sent the data to Air Defense Command units. While the SAGE network operated until [[1983]], the Minot AFB website says the Minot SAGE facility was deactivated after less than two years of operation, in May [[1963]]. The facility was then renamed the PRIDE Building ("Professional results in daily effort") and became a large office building (four stories including the basement) housing many different organizations.


=== Strategic Air Command Use ===
⚫
[[Strategic Air Command]] had units assigned to Minot AFB in [[1958]] for air refueling support. The first KC-135A Stratotanker, nicknamed "Miss Minot," arrived September 23, 1959 and remained on base until the 906th Air Refueling Squadron (Tail Flash - "The Sun Never Sets on the 906th")was relocated to Grand Forks AFB, ND in January of 1994. In late January [[1960]], the 32nd Fighter Group brought the first F-106 Delta Dart to Minot. The next day the 5th Fighter Intercepter Squadron (The Spittin Kittens) was transferred to Minot from Suffolk County Airport, N.Y. The scope of operations grew as the Air Force assigned bombers to Minot in [[1961]]. Also in 1961, the Air Force selected the land around Minot for a new [[Minuteman I]] complex.

⚫
[[Strategic Air Command]] had units assigned to Minot AFB in [[1958]] for air refueling support. Under the '''4136th Strategic Wing''', the first SAC [[KC-135]]A Stratotanker, nicknamed "Miss Minot," arrived September 23, 1959 and remained on base until the 906th Air Refueling Squadron (Tail Flash - "The Sun Never Sets on the 906th")was relocated to [[Grand Forks AFB]], ND in January of 1994.

The scope of operations grew as the Air Force assigned bombers to Minot in [[1961]]. Also in 1961, the Air Force selected the land around Minot for a new [[Minuteman I]] complex.

Command of Minot AFB passed from Air Defense Command to Strategic Air Command on 1 July 1962 as the base's mission changed. The new host unit became the SAC '''862d Combat Support Group'''.


Command of Minot AFB passed from Air Defense Command to Strategic Air Command as the base's mission changed. During the [[1970]]s the 150 missile sites around the region (10-70 miles from the base) were converted to [[Minuteman III]]s; a model of the older Minuteman I stands at the main gate.
During the [[1970]]s the 150 missile sites around the region (10-70 miles from the base) were converted to [[Minuteman III]]s; a model of the older Minuteman I stands at the main gate.


In June [[1992]], the newly formed [[Air Combat Command]] took over the [[Eighth Air Force]], and through it, the 5th Bomb Wing and host command of Minot Air Force Base.
In June [[1992]], the newly formed [[Air Combat Command]] took over the [[Eighth Air Force]], and through it, the 5th Bomb Wing and host command of Minot Air Force Base.

Revision as of 08:43, 12 October 2007

Minot Air Force Base
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OperatorUS Air Force
LocationMinot, North Dakota
Elevation AMSL1,668 ft / 508.4 m
Coordinates48°24′55.8″N 101°21′27.6″W / 48.415500°N 101.357667°W / 48.415500; -101.357667
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
11/29 13,197 4,022 Concrete
A B-52 with the 5th Bomb Wing taxis past the Minot AFB control tower

Minot Air Force Base is home to two major units:

Minot Air Force Base (Minot AFB) (IATA: MIB, ICAO: KMIB) is a base of the United States Air Force in Ward County, North Dakota, 15 km (8 mi) north of the city of Minot, headquarters of the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Space Wing. In the 2000 census, the base was counted as a CDP with a total population of 7,599.

Units

The 5th Bomb Wing

The 5th Bomb Wing is the host unit at Minot AFB; its commander is the base commander, and the unit is responsible for all base services, such as housing, the library, the Officer's Club, etc. The primary mission of the 5th Bomb Wing is to maintain and operate B-52H Stratofortress bombers assigned to the 23d Bomb Squadron. Minot AFB is one of two bases with B-52s; the other is Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

Whilst the policy is to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons [1] there have been statements made to the press by the Air Force acknowledging the presence of nuclear weapons on the base, including the W80-1 warhead. [2]

The 91st Space Wing

The 91st Space Wing is responsible for maintaining the Minuteman III nuclear missiles located in three main fields across North Dakota. Operational squadrons attached to the 91st SW are the 740th Missile Squadron ("Vulgar Vultures"), 741st Missile Squadron ("Gravelhaulers"), and the 742d Missile Squadron ("Wolf Pack"). The 91st Security Forces Group, assigned to the 91st, provide security to the surrounding missile fields. The 91st Security Forces Group consists of the 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron, the 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron, and the 91st Security Support Squadron(SSPTS)

Geography

Minot AFB is located at 48°24′59″N 101°19′39″W / 48.41639°N 101.32750°W / 48.41639; -101.327501.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Minot AFB CDP has a total area of 19.7 km² (7.6 mi²). 18.7 km² (7.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (5.01%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,599 people, 2,112 households, and 1,943 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 406.9/km² (1,053.9/mi²). There were 2,441 housing units at an average density of 130.7/km² (338.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 79.14% White, 10.23% African American, 0.70% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.80% from other races, and 4.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.17% of the population.

There were 2,112 households out of which 68.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 86.5% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 8.0% were non-families. 6.6% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 36.3% under the age of 18, 24.0% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 1.5% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 120.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 126.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,255, and the median income for a family was $32,306. Males had a median income of $22,458 versus $16,659 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,629. About 5.0% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.


History

Construction of Minot Air Force Base initiated on 19 May 1956, and the base officially opened on 10 January 1957.

Air Defense Command Use

The initial USAF host unit was the Air Defense Command (ADC) 32d Air Base Group, activating on 8 Feburary 1957.

The ADC 32d Fighter Group was the first operational unit at Minot, with it's 433d Fighter-Interceptor squadron. However, no aircraft were assigned to the unit, and January 1958 the 433d FIS was inactivated. It was replaced in Feburary 1960 by the 5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (The Spittin Kittens) was transferred to Minot from Suffolk County Airport, N.Y The 5th FIS flew the Convair F-106 Delta Dagger. .

ADC F-106 operations continued at Minot until the command was deactivated in 1979.

A Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) facility was built and activated in June 1961. SAGE was housed in a huge, windowless blast-resistant concrete building with a pair of 275-ton computers. The computers processed air surveillance information and sent the data to Air Defense Command units. While the SAGE network operated until 1983, the Minot AFB website says the Minot SAGE facility was deactivated after less than two years of operation, in May 1963. The facility was then renamed the PRIDE Building ("Professional results in daily effort") and became a large office building (four stories including the basement) housing many different organizations.

Strategic Air Command Use

Strategic Air Command had units assigned to Minot AFB in 1958 for air refueling support. Under the 4136th Strategic Wing, the first SAC KC-135A Stratotanker, nicknamed "Miss Minot," arrived September 23, 1959 and remained on base until the 906th Air Refueling Squadron (Tail Flash - "The Sun Never Sets on the 906th")was relocated to Grand Forks AFB, ND in January of 1994.

The scope of operations grew as the Air Force assigned bombers to Minot in 1961. Also in 1961, the Air Force selected the land around Minot for a new Minuteman I complex.

Command of Minot AFB passed from Air Defense Command to Strategic Air Command on 1 July 1962 as the base's mission changed. The new host unit became the SAC 862d Combat Support Group.

During the 1970s the 150 missile sites around the region (10-70 miles from the base) were converted to Minuteman IIIs; a model of the older Minuteman I stands at the main gate.

In June 1992, the newly formed Air Combat Command took over the Eighth Air Force, and through it, the 5th Bomb Wing and host command of Minot Air Force Base.

On August 30th, 2007 a B-52 bomber accidentally took off with 6 nuclear warheads.

References

  1. ^ http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/experience/the.bomb/broken.arrows/intro.html
  2. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6980204.stm
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