Flood Mud: saving assets from rising waters

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman J.T. Armstrong
  • Public Affairs
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.”