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Flood Mud: saving assets from rising waters

Water collects around a 91st Missile Wing launch facility in northern N.D., March 29, 2016. After accessing the site, electromechanical team technicians measured water levels and determined where to move the excess water. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Water collects around a 91st Missile Wing launch facility in northern N.D., March 29, 2016. After accessing the site, electromechanical team technicians measured water levels and determined where to move the excess water. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, removes his boot at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, removes his boot at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airmen from the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron drain flood-water from a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airmen from the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron drain flood-water from a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, shovels snow and mud at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, shovels snow and mud at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, refuels a water-pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, refuels a water-pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, pours water into a pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The two-man team used a water-pump to relocate flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, pours water into a pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The two-man team used a water-pump to relocate flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, stands in flood-water at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer wore waterproof boots to access flooded areas of the LF. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, stands in flood-water at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer wore waterproof boots to access flooded areas of the LF. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, starts a water-pump at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, starts a water-pump at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, finishes draining flood-water from a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer used a water-pump and hose to drain and relocate water to a safe level. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, finishes draining flood-water from a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Singer used a water-pump and hose to drain and relocate water to a safe level. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, removes a hose from a water-pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, removes a hose from a water-pump near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Flood-water sprays from a hose at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Airmen from across the 91st Missile Wing worked together to keep flood-waters away from weapon systems and assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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Flood-water sprays from a hose at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Airmen from across the 91st Missile Wing worked together to keep flood-waters away from weapon systems and assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

(From right) Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch and Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technicians, measures and remove flood-water near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch and Singer worked with to drain water to a safe level. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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(From right) Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch and Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technicians, measures and remove flood-water near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch and Singer worked with to drain water to a safe level. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, sits atop a snowbank above flood-water at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, sits atop a snowbank above flood-water at a launch facility near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for relocating flood-water away from critical assets at the launch facility. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, winds up a hose near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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Senior Airman Matthew Singer, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, winds up a hose near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. The electromechanical team technicians measured rising water levels and relocated water, snow and mud away from critical 91st MW assets. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

A truck holds the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team’s flood-gear near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Airmen from across the 91st Missile Wing surveyed and drained flood-water from the missile complex sites. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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A truck holds the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team’s flood-gear near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Airmen from across the 91st Missile Wing surveyed and drained flood-water from the missile complex sites. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, closes a launch facility gate near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for draining flood-water from LFs across the missile complex. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)
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Airman 1st Class Heath Rauch, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron electromechanical team technician, closes a launch facility gate near Bowbells, N.D., March 29, 2017. Rauch was a part of a two-man team responsible for draining flood-water from LFs across the missile complex. (U.S Air Force photo/Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong)

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen from across the 91st Missile Wing worked together to drain flood-water from critical areas in the North Dakota missile complex.

The flood control effort, often referred to as the “flood mud,” is an annual wing-wide undertaking to relocate snow, mud and water away from 91st MW launch facilities.

“Teams are in the field performing surveys and trying to identify sites that could potentially flood,” said Tech. Sgt. Donald Moran, 91st Missile Maintenance Operations Center NCO in charge. “That water causes severe damage to our weapons systems.”

Flood water caused by this winter’s heavy snowfall can cause damage to many components in the missile complex. One of these is the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile itself, which is the wing’s most important asset.

Airmen from 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron aren’t the only ones in the field helping out with the “flood mud”.

“We have defenders out there doing surveys, digging trenches and moving water too,” said Moran. “Everyone in the 91st MW is helping.”