BISMARCK – Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday, Sept. 18, that military leaders have agreed to establish a second North Dakota Air National Guard detachment to support operations at Minot Air Force Base.

The B-52 Operational Classic Association detachment was approved by U.S. Air Force Headquarters last week, according to information from the Governor’s office.

Currently, the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 219th Security Forces Squadron works jointly with active-duty Air Force personnel to provide security for the missile field complex at Minot Air Force Base. The new detachment involving the Air Force’s 5th Bomb Wing and Air National Guard’s 119th Wing will augment portions of the B-52 mission at the base, with a proposed total of approximately 40 personnel by Oct. 1, 2026. Air Force Global Strike Command also will develop plans for future expansion of the detachment beyond operations and maintenance.

See the full story in Friday’s edition of The Minot Daily News.