Submitted Photo Maj. Gen. Mike Lutton, 20th Air Force commander, presents a Bronze Star to Capt. Bryan Ashton, 54th Helicopter Squadron pilot at Minot Air Force Base on Sept. 30, shown in this photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle. Ashton was awarded the decoration for outstanding achievement and upholding Air Force standards through his contributions while on his deployment.

By AIRMAN 1ST CLASS

JAN K. VALLE

Minot AFB Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Mike Lutton, 20th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Orf , 20th Air Force command chief, visited Minot Air Force Base, Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

From June 2014 to June 2016, Lutton was commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB. He made some significant changes to the base and once again visited his old stomping grounds.

“I miss the people the most,” said Lutton. “I miss being out at the missile fields with airmen that are completing the mission. It is really critical to remind the airmen how well they are doing. We couldn’t be more proud of the airmen in Minot and the 91st Missile Wing.”

During their visit, Lutton presented a Bronze Star to Capt. Bryan Ashton, 54th Helicopter Squadron pilot, for outstanding achievement and upholding Air Force standards through his contributions while on his deployment.

“He embodied our core values of service before self, integrity first and excellence in all we do,” said Lutton. “The Bronze Star is a critical recognition of what he contributed to the joint fight downrange, and also represents the airmen who serve in Minot, day in and day out.”

Lutton and Orf also connected and spoke to several airmen from the 91st Missile Wing and 5th Bomb Wing. One of the stops was at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch facility where Lutton and Orf talked to the airmen from 91st Security Forces and the 91st Maintenance Squadron. They shared personal experiences of their time in the Air Force and ideas to further improve airmen camaraderie at Minot AFB and the Air Force.

“One of the highlights for Chief Orf and I are visiting the bases in the 20th Air Force and meeting the airmen who accomplish our vital mission,” said Lutton. “Nothing beats talking to these airmen and hearing first-hand their innovative ideas and passion for the ICBM mission.”

Both wings at Minot AFB were awarded the 2019 Omaha Trophy. The award has evolved alongside U.S. Strategic Command operations and distinguishes units for outstanding performance in the categories of global operations, intercontinental ballistic missile operations, ballistic missile submarine operations, strategic bomber operations, and strategic aircraft operations.

“We are also excited to celebrate the 2019 Omaha Trophy win with the Roughriders,” said Lutton. “This award clearly reflects that they are an outstanding team of professionals and constantly demonstrate mission focus, teamwork, and resiliency.”

Lutton’s mission for the 20th Air Force and especially the 91st Missile Wing is to enhance and achieve integrated lethality. He expects airmen to integrate with other organizations to improve combat capabilities.

“When you have multiple disciplines working together for a common purpose and generating combat power for the nation, that’s how you successfully have integrated lethality,” said Lutton. “It takes multiple teams to achieve integrated lethality effectively, it requires, for example, mission support, medical, operations, and security forces.”