Fly away home

by Airman 1st Class Lauren Pitts
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- The skies over Minot Air Force Base have been quiet and empty since breaking ground on the new runway, sending the Minot birds south. However, as construction comes to a close Team Minot is preparing for a BUFF homecoming.

Col. Jason Armagost, 5th Bomb Wing commander, along with base and community leaders, celebrated the opening of the new Minot AFB runway with a ribbon cutting ceremony and B-52H Stratofortress low-approach demonstration, Sept. 29, 2014.

The original runway, built in 1957, served the base for over 50 years - more than twice as long as originally predicted. The recent reconstruction was the first alteration made to the flight line.

Special guests at the ceremony included North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, as well as Minot mayor Chuck Barney. The guests spoke about the importance of the new runway.

"North Dakota has such a crucial role in national security," said Heitkamp, who discussed the importance of the nuclear triad and the impact a dual-wing base such as Minot AFB has on the country. "It is this all-important triad that keeps our country safe."

Hoeven followed by congratulating the base on the recent construction, commending the hard work of both Airmen and community members, and stressing the importance of such facilities.

"This is a key strategic asset to the success of the base," Hoeven said.

The multi-year runway project began in 2011, with construction starting on the far east and west ends of the flight-line. The $200 million project also included a new base operations building and control tower.

Minot AFB broke ground on the center portion of the runway in April of this year and finished the project on time in late September. The runway portion of the project cost approximately $57 million.

"Minot Air Force Base plays an important role in our nation's defense, and we want it to continue to play that role well into the future," Hoeven said. "This runway project is just one of the multiple projects that we worked to secure funding for that will help our men and women in uniform at Minot to fulfill their missions now and for years to come."

Now that the flight line is open for daily missions and operations, Minot Airmen prepare to welcome home the B-52H Stratofortresses from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota in the upcoming weeks. The majority of the aircraft should be back by Oct. 4.


Col. Jason Armagost, 5th Bomb Wing commander, spoke about the level of effort, coordination and professionalism of those involved in the runway make over.

"The original runway lasted 27 years longer than it was meant to," Armagost said. "This new one will be a legacy."