What others think: Minot base is getting better

On the same day he was nominated by President elect-Barack Obama to continue in his position as secretary of defense, Robert Gates was at Minot Air Force Base, meeting with airmen, politicians and base officials to discuss the future of the installation.

It’s quite amazing, actually.

Gates brought a stern message with him during his visit. He acknowledged there were serious lapses in nuclear weapons handling procedures last year, when nuclear missiles were mistakenly loaded aboard a B-52 bomber at Minot AFB and flown to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

But Gates also said he believes Minot AFB is “reclaiming the standards of excellence” demanded by the responsibility of handling part of the nation’s nuclear arsenal. That’s the reason it’s important to note Gates’ visit to Minot AFB. He wasn’t here to dwell on the past, nor was he here to overlook the past. Mistakes happened, and changes have been made. It’s time to move forward. That was Gates’ message.

And Minot AFB is already moving forward.

The base will be getting another B-52 squadron next year, which will bring with it an additional 1,000 airmen. That decision alone shows Gates and the Air Force have faith that Minot AFB has already reclaimed its position as one of the top — if not the top — nuclear installation in the country.

“Only the best come north” isn’t just an empty slogan. They are serious words that the airmen at Minot Air Force Base continue to live by.

Tags: air force, minot, military, gates