Submitted Photo Earlier this month, 13 community members from Minot and area were celebrated as new or newly assigned honorary commanders who act as advocates of the mission of Minot Air Force Base. Front row, from left to right, are: Chief Master Sgt Becky Thomas, Lt. Col. Nick Conover, Lt. Col. Bob Wake, Dr. Scott Knutson, Lt. Col. Paige Warren, Jerilyn Kersten, Col. Jimmy Schlabach, Jarid Lundeen, Mayor Mark Jantzer, Col. Jesse Lamarand, Col. Richard Ziegler, Tom Joyce, Brandy Gerjets, Capt. Jennifer Zhanay, Maj. Mario Rosario and Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Sharp. Back row, from left to right, are: Maj. Chris Offutt (behind Knutson), Bob Herrington, Sen. Paul Thomas, Minot Police Chief Michael Frye (behind Lamarand), Col. James Slaton, Col. Mike Sudan, Jason Zimmerman and Clay Feldner.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – More than a dozen community members were inducted as honorary commanders during a ceremony held at the Jimmy Doolittle Center at Minot Air Force Base Jan. 15, becoming part of the Honorary Commander Program.

The program allows civilian leaders to immerse themselves in the mission of Minot AFB.

Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, and Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer kicked off the evening. The program was closed out by 91st Missile Wing Commander Col. James Schlabach and Minot Area Chamber EDC Board Chair Jarid Lundeen.

The Honorary Commander Program began in the 1980s as an opportunity for civic leaders to partner with Air Force leadership to learn more about Minot AFB’s ongoing mission. By making frequent visits to Minot AFB, participating in base meetings and ceremonies and forming lasting relationships with their assigned military leaders, honorary commanders become even more enthusiastic advocates of the tireless work of Minot AFB and its airmen, according to MACEDC information.

“The Honorary Commander Program exemplifies the spirit of partnership that defines Team Minot,” Jantzer said. “We are proud to stand alongside our military neighbors and to welcome these local leaders into a program that deepens understanding and strengthens our shared mission.”

“The connection between our business community and Minot Air Force Base is one of our greatest strengths,” Lundeen said. “This prestigious program gives our leaders a firsthand look at the mission of Team Minot, and that experience helps all of us better support our military neighbors and their families.”

New and newly assigned honorary commanders are:

– Clay Feldner, board member, American Petroleum Institute Bakken Chapter

– Michael Frye, police chief, Minot Police Department

– Rev. Brandy Gerjets, pastor, First Lutheran Church

– Bob Herrington, CEO, North Star Community Credit Union

– Cassidy Hjelmstad, CEO/general manager, SRT Communications

– Mark Jantzer, mayor, City of Minot

– Tom Joyce, city manager, City of Minot

– Jerilyn Kersten, Minot clinic manager, Sanford Health

– Dr. Scott Knutson, chief of staff, Trinity Health

– Rep. Scott Louser, North Dakota House of Representatives, District 5

– Jarid Lundeen, president/owner, Jett Management; board chair, Minot Area Chamber EDC

– Sen. Paul Thomas, North Dakota Senate, District 6

– Jason Zimmerman, president, Minot Area Community Foundation

In all, there are 49 honorary commanders – 29 in the 5th Bomb Wing, 19 in the 91st Missile Wing and one with the 219th Security Forces Squadron.