MINOT AIR FORCE BASE The North Dakota Air National Guard's 219th Security Forces Squadron will send its members into the Minot missile field for the first time Thursday.
"Putting Guardsmen into the field to work side by side with the active duty is a significant accomplishment and it would not be happening without the exceptional airmen of the 219th who have shown unwavering dedication to their mission," said North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven.
The N.D. Air Guard unit was established to supplement security forces with Minot AFB's 91st Missile Wing in the missile field.
The milestone of putting 219th Security Forces Squadron airmen into the missile fields was made possible when the unit received Headquarters Air Force-approval of their Personnel Reliability Program for full-time Air Guard members earlier this month.
"To be PRP-approved means that we have implemented all of the necessary procedures and requirements set forth by the Secretary of Defense and the Air Force to ensure only the most reliable airmen fill positions associated with missile field security" said Master Sgt. Lonnie Ballweg, 219th Security Forces Squadron senior medical technician.
"The approval of the 219th PRP program is significant because it allows full-time Guardsmen of the 219th SFS to conduct mission specific training and support the 91st Missile Wing in day-to-day training and surge requirements."
On Thursday, Staff Sgt. John Chalupa and Airman 1st Class Erik Foss, both 219th members, will be the first PRP certified airmen to deploy into the missile field.
"This marks a milestone and the N.D. National Guard looks to the future through this exceptional partnership with Minot Air Force Base," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general.
Currently, the 219th Security Forces Squadron is working with the Headquarters Air Force to establish a special plan required for the implementation of traditional Guardsmen to the PRP program. Traditional Guardsmen are part-time Air Guard members who typically serve one weekend a month, two weeks a year.
The relatively new squadron celebrated its official activation Oct. 18, but recruiters began filling the 140 positions in April 2007. Once fully staffed, the 219th will be the largest Air Guard security forces squadron in the nation.
"We've had to overcome many hurdles, which are expected when you're forging your way in new territory," said Lt. Col. Tad Schauer, 219th commander. "We could not have done this without the support and commitment of 'Team Minot.' No one has ever done anything like this before and we are working together to ensure it gets done right the first time."