MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Two change of command ceremonies are taking place at Minot Air Force Base this week to recognize the outgoing commanders of the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing and welcome the incoming commanders.

Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91st Missile Wing, will turn over the command of the missile wing to Col. George Chapman on Wednesday, July 8.

Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, will turn over the command of the bomb wing to Col. John Burrell on Thursday, July 9.

Schlabach became commander of the Minot AFB missile wing in June 2024 and Lamarand became commander of the Minot AFB bomb wing in July 2024.

Both incoming commanders are currently holding positions at Minot AFB or previously have held positions at the base.

Chapman was deputy commander of the Minot AFB missile wing from June 2023-June 2025, then became deputy commander of Twentieth Air Force at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

Burrell is the current commander of the 5th Operations Group at Minot AFB. He has held other positions with the bomb wing during his career including commander of the 23rd Bomb Squadron.