Minot Air Force Base – TheMinotVoice.com

Championing Legislation in Support of Minot AFB Spouse

by: MinotVoice | April 8, 2025

When Jenetta moved to Minot with her military family, she brought her registered cottage bakery, Simple Treats, along with her. But she quickly ran into a problem—North Dakota law didn’t allow her to sell products online or across state lines, cutting off access to long-time customers. That changed after a chance conversation at a local

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Area Chamber EDC

Minot Recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community

by: MinotVoice | April 5, 2025

Minot, North Dakota, home to Minot Air Force Base (MAFB) is one of the three communities recognized as a 2025 Great American Defense Community. The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced the three selected communities at the Defense Communities National Summit earlier this month of which Minot was recognized for support of Minot Air Force

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Area Chamber EDC

North Dakota Senate concurs on military zones measure, New Government Committee Created

by: MinotVoice | April 3, 2025

A plan to create “impact zones” around North Dakota’s military bases is headed to the governor’s desk. The Senate gave final approval to SB 2398 on Wednesday, backing a new committee to review nearby development and protect base missions. The zones will be based on military needs, not fixed distances, and local governments will have

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Economic development officials hoping to draw more airmen to Grand Forks

by: Josh Wolsky | March 26, 2025

When airmen finish their service, many pack up and leave—but what if more of them stayed? That’s the question Grand Forks economic leaders are now asking. With low unemployment and high demand in fields like health care, manufacturing, and autonomous systems, the city sees opportunity in its military neighbors. By introducing airmen to local jobs

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Boeing wins Air Force’s next-gen fighter contract

by: MinotVoice | March 22, 2025

After months of speculation, the Air Force is all in on a new chapter of air dominance—and Boeing’s at the helm. The announcement of the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet, marks a rare recent win for Boeing and a turning point in U.S. military aviation. With stealthier tech, longer range, and a drone wingman or

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One

Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls scrubs content to comply with DEI order

by: MinotVoice | March 19, 2025

The Department of Defense has ordered the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from Air Force websites, erasing stories, photos, and articles that once highlighted service members’ cultural backgrounds and achievements. At Malmstrom Air Force Base, deleted posts included events celebrating heritage months and the story of an Indigenous airman’s religious exemption. The

Read & Share sourced from: Montana Free Press

Minot AFB Expands with $177 Million in New Facilities

by: MinotVoice | March 15, 2025

Improvements are underway at Minot Air Force Base. With more than $177 million in construction projects approved, the base is making major upgrades—including a $141 million helicopter operations facility to house the new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters. Other projects include expanded vehicle maintenance, dorm renovations, and upgrades to the Child Development Center. These investments ensure

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News

As U.S. Allies Question Commitments, a New Nuclear Arms Race Looms

by: MinotVoice | March 11, 2025

Longstanding efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation may be unraveling. With President Trump signaling a shift away from traditional alliances, U.S. partners like South Korea, Japan, and even Poland are considering nuclear programs of their own. France has floated the idea of extending its nuclear umbrella, but uncertainty remains. Meanwhile, China and Russia are watching closely,

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One

Minot State University Track & Field Team visits Minot AFB

by: MinotVoice | March 11, 2025

A member of the 5th Maintenance Group presents atop a munition loading trailer to Minot State University Track & Field Team students at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, March 4, 2025. Many of the students had prior knowledge of the Air Force’s presence but were not educated on the greater mission of the base.

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Air Force Base

Pentagon is placing probationary employees on leave in advance of mass firings

by: Josh Wolsky | March 8, 2025

The Department of Defense has begun mass layoffs, placing thousands of probationary employees on administrative leave ahead of their expected termination. Officials say the cuts target poor performers, but no clear criteria have been provided. The move follows a broader effort to shrink the federal workforce, with plans for hiring freezes and additional staff reductions.

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One

Sen. Jeff Barta outlines revisions to military compatibility commission bill during committee hearing

by: MinotVoice | March 8, 2025

As North Dakota weighs the future of development near its military bases, a proposed **military compatibility commission** aims to set clear rules for projects in these sensitive areas. Sen. Jeff Barta, the bill’s sponsor, sees it as a way to increase transparency and prevent conflicts between developers and military operations. Supporters argue it will protect

Read & Share sourced from: Grand Forks Herald

Ukraine’s ‘super soldiers’ bust stereotypes of what ‘lethal’ looks like

by: Josh Wolsky | February 23, 2025

War has always been a test of strength, but Ukraine’s defense against Russia is proving that agility, innovation, and sheer willpower can rewrite the rules of battle. In just three years, Ukraine’s military has expanded nearly fivefold, turning civilians into highly effective soldiers in weeks. Cheap drones now dismantle tank formations, challenging long-held ideas about

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One

Major Military Shake Up: Joint Chiefs chair, CNO, Air Force vice chief, three top JAGs to be replaced

by: MinotVoice | February 22, 2025

A shake-up is underway at the Pentagon. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are replacing top military leaders, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations, and several other key officials. The move comes amid broader efforts to roll back diversity initiatives and streamline the military’s leadership. With

Read & Share sourced from: Defense One

Pentagon to fire up to 61,000 workers, starting with 5,400 next week, says DOD

by: MinotVoice | February 22, 2025

The Pentagon is set to cut 5,400 civilian jobs next week—the first wave in a broader effort to shrink its workforce by up to eight percent. With a focus on probationary employees, the move aligns with a White House push to eliminate roles deemed non-essential. Officials insist it’s about efficiency, but concerns remain over the

Read & Share sourced from: Government Executive

Hegseth directs Pentagon to find $50 billion in cuts this year

by: MinotVoice | February 20, 2025

The Pentagon is facing a $50 billion budget shakeup as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders cuts to fund President Trump’s priorities. The directive targets bureaucracy, climate initiatives, and diversity programs, aiming instead at border security and a proposed “Iron Dome for America.” But trimming this much—about 8% of the budget—raises questions. Similar cuts a decade

Read & Share sourced from: Associated Press

B-52H Stratofortress from Minot AFB Running Training Operations in England

By: Staff Sgt. Kristen Heller, Minot Air Force Base | February 20, 2025

Ground crews play a crucial role in ensuring the readiness of military aircraft. Recently, U.S. Air Force personnel conducted post-flight checks on a B-52H Stratofortress at RAF Fairford in England. This event followed the completion of a Bomber Task Force deployment mission, underscoring the Air Force’s ongoing commitment to maintaining long-range strike capabilities. The careful

Read & Share sourced from: Minot Air Force Base