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Minot AFB welcomes new group commanders

By AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ANTHONY RAMEY, SENIOR AIRMAN CARSON JENEY and AIRMAN JOSELINE CHACON MONTERROSO 5 min read

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – The 5th Operations Group, 91st Security Forces Group, 91st Operations Group and 91st Maintenance Group recently welcomed new leaders.

5th Operations Group

U.S. Air Force Col. Bryson Ayers received command of the 5th Operations Group (OG) during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, July 7.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing (BW) commander, officiated over the ceremony as U.S. Air Force Col. John Burrell, 5th OG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Ayers. Burrell recently became commander of the 5th Bomb Wing.

Ayers assumed command after serving as the 5th OG deputy commander. During the 2022 Bomber Task Force Europe deployment, he commanded approximately 300 airmen and four B-52H Stratofortresses deployed in support of U.S. European Command.

Burrell led more than 500 airmen assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, 69th Bomb Squadron and 5th Operations Support Squadron, ensuring the group remained prepared to execute its global strike mission.

As the incoming commander, Ayers will be directly responsible for the people who fly the B-52s at Minot, making sure aircraft, crews and operational systems are prepared, certified and ready to execute the nation’s strategic bomber mission at any time.

The 5th OG is responsible for the combat readiness and operations of the wing’s B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, providing global strike and combat-support capabilities in support of national security objectives.

91st Security Forces Group

U.S. Air Force Col. George Hern received command of the 91st Security Forces Group (SFG) during a change of command ceremony on July 1.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing (MW) commander, officiated over the ceremony as U.S. Air Force Col. James Slaton, 91st SFG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Hern.

Hern assumed command after serving as the commander of the 67th Cyberspace Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He led more than 3,000 airmen, civilians and contract personnel across four operations groups with 19 squadrons at eight locations worldwide.

Slaton led more than 1,000 airmen and civilians supporting the 91st MW's mission of global deterrence by defending U.S. interests and assets with the world's premier combat-ready Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force. Slaton will continue his Air Force career at Global Strike Command headquarters at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.

The 91st SFG consists of four squadrons, protecting 150 Minuteman III ICBMs, 15 missile alert facilities and 150 remote launch facilities covering an 8,500-square-mile area in central N.D.

The group ensures the safety, security, and defense of the wing’s personnel, resources and strategic assets by providing highly trained security forces, maintaining operational readiness, and delivering effective force protection in support of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.

91st Operations Group

The 91st Operations Group welcomed its new commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Shimonsky, during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, June 24.

Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, officiated over the ceremony as Col. Michael Suden, 91st OG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Shimonsky. The ceremonial passing of the guidon symbolized the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.

Shimonsky assumed command after serving as the deputy inspector general of Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, for one year. As the incoming commander, Shimonsky will be responsible for the safe, secure and reliable operations of 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles operated from 15 remote missile alert facilities in support of missile field activities dispersed over 8,500 square miles.

Suden concluded two years as commander of the 91st OG, where he commanded three missile squadrons and an operations support squadron, providing nuclear combat capability to the commander of the United States Strategic Command in support of national objectives.

The 91st OG is the operational backbone of the 91st MW. With its four squadrons, the 91st Operations Support Squadron, and the 740th, 741st and 742nd Missile Squadrons, the group continues to be an essential component of the U.S.’s deterrent force, ensuring Minot’s missiles operate in a safe, secure and reliable state.

91st Maintenance Group

The 91st Maintenance Group (MXG) welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony at Minot Air Force Base, June 5.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, officiated over the ceremony as Col. Joseph Edington, 91 MXG outgoing commander, relinquished command to Col. Adam T. Rector, 91 MXG incoming commander. The ceremonial passing of the guidon symbolized the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.

Rector assumed command after serving as commander of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 3 for the past three years. As commander of the 91 MXG, he now leads airmen responsible for maintaining the capabilities that enable the wing’s safe, secure and effective strategic deterrence mission.

Edington concluded two years as commander of the 91 MXG, where he led airmen whose dedication and expertise ensured the sustained readiness, reliability and effectiveness of one of the Air Force’s most critical missions.

The 91 MXG oversees maintenance, supply, transportation and munitions operations supporting the 91 MW global strike mission. The group ensures the readiness, reliability and sustainment of the wing’s strategic weapon systems, providing safe, secure and effective support to the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.

Starting at /week.