Operation Minute Man

From right to left Senior Airman Scott Leithheiser, Senior Airman Trent Obrien, and Tech. Sgt. Cody Chick, all of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, return from the gate of a Minot Air Force Base, N.D., missile alert facility, after granting access to authorized personnel entering the facility May 20, 2014. The North Dakota Air National Guard enlisted members are doing their annual training while performing the real-World mission of missile field security, which allows their active duty counterparts to catch up on other training and mission requirements. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp/Released)

Operation Minute Man

Senior Airman Zachary Parkman, of the 219th Security Forces Squadron, looks for anything suspicious during an exercise at a Minot Air Force Base, N.D., missile launch facility May 20, 2014. Parkman is one of several North Dakota Air National Guard enlisted members who are doing their annual training while performing the real-World mission of missile field security, which allows their active duty counterparts to catch up on other training and mission requirements. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SMSgt. David H. Lipp/Released)

Operation Minute Man

Published June 5, 2014
By North Dakota Air National Guard
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT, N.D. -- Defenders from the 219th Security Forces Squadron are participating in a training exercise, "Operation Minute Man," May 17-31.

"Operation Minute Man" is a two-week surge period, where North Dakota Air National Guard members take primary positions for missile field security in the entire northern portion of the missile field complex.

This is the second time such a surge has happened with the 219th Security Forces Squadron in the complex, which covers many miles of the North Dakota plains near Minot and includes dozens of missile field alert facilities and missile launch facilities.

"The surge allows our active duty Airmen to take a little time off to regroup and reset their batteries moving into our busy summer season, which is very much appreciated," said Col. Kevin Cullen, 91st Security Forces Group commander.

The 219th SFS, part of the North Dakota ANG's 119th Wing, is made up of active guard reserve personnel who are full-time staff members working jointly with the U.S. Air force active duty personnel in the missile fields on a daily basis.

"Total force" is the U.S. Air Force term used for integrating ANG, Reserve, and active duty components together for military missions being done throughout the world. The integration at the Minot Air Force Base, N.D. missile field complex is a great example of the total force concept. It is such a good example, in fact, that work being done there is being considered as a model to be used at other installations, according to Lt. Col. Tad Schauer, 219th SFS commander.

The North Dakota ANG has been a part of many firsts in the mission of missile field security, but it is becoming apparent that the mission is becoming routine for them as they become more and more blended with their active duty counterparts through the total force concept.

"The most important point I can make is that when I visit the missile fields, I absolutely cannot tell the difference between the 219th personnel and the active duty members," Cullen said. "Our special weapons are always maintained in a safe, secure manner no matter who is out there."