A rigorous, independent inspection, the Nuclear Surety Inspection (NSI) is to ensure the nuclear weapons stockpile is safe and secure at all times.

Minot AFB is the only dual wing nuclear-capable base in the Air Force hosting two legs of the U.S. nuclear triad – B-52 bombers and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles in the Minot missile field.

The NSI, conducted by the Air Force Global Strike Command’s Inspector General team, was held during the first week of February.

“The stockpile and your airmen have ensured that this combat capability is safe, is secure, it’s reliable, it’s deadly and with their disciplinary execution and with your support I think we sent a message that is: Number one to our adversaries – don’t mess with us – and Number two, I think the bigger part of that message is the trust that it builds in the American people,” said Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB.

James Schlabach

Lamarand, speaking at a recent Minot Area Chamber EDC Military Affairs Committee meeting, urged committee members when they see an airman to thank them “because they work really hard to make that happen.”

The wing commanders credited the local community for its support of the base on a daily basis.

Col. James Schlabach, commander of the 91st Missile Wing, said the work airmen do “wouldn’t be possible without this room because you provide a home, you provide a safe, loving community for our airmen to live and breathe in and to raise families in, to get medical care we need and they can’t focus on that nuclear deterrent mission if they don’t have this community to take care of them.”