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NORTHERN SENTRY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 1 FREE | WWW.NORTHERNSENTRY.COM | MINOT AIR FORCE BASE VOL. 55 • ISSUE 51 | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO | AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JONATHAN MCELDERRY 2 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 NORTHERN SENTRY Crews control AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ALYSSA M. AKERS | MINOT AIR FORCE BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS INOT AIR know about every single changes to 30 on and off , FORCE BASE, person’s job to assist and and a heater is placed next MN.D. -- direct maintenance under to the plane. The sun peaks over the our aircraft.” “It takes a special horizon to reveal the icy These Airmen assigned someone to be able to work minefi eld known as the to an aircraft are ultimately out in mostly negative fl ight line. Airmen are held responsible for it. Crew temperatures through half bundled from head to toe chiefs, as subject matter the year,” said Tullis. “We U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO | AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ALYSSA M. AKERS in thermal underwear, experts on their aircraft, are are required to take breaks Crew chiefs with the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron work together to tow a B-52H Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Dec. 6, 2017. A thick coveralls, gloves and in charge of determining if to ensure we stay warm and B-52 can weigh anywhere from approximately 185,000 pounds empty to a multiple headgear, but these maintenance is needed and don’t get injured.” maximum of 488,000 pounds. comforting layers don’t will direct Airmen from The lowest temperatures keep them from getting the separate career fi elds on recorded within the past few job done. what needs to be done. years was minus 68 degrees, The crew huddles in “We need to not only not including the wind chill. the back of a white van, be qualifi ed in our job, “The maintenance is not speeding off to their aircraft. but also qualifi ed in other the hard part,” said Senior Teamwork is crucial during maintenance fi elds,” said Airman Matthew Bitz, 5th this time, ensuring nobody Tullis. “We can service AMXS B-52 crew chief. stays in the cold for too struts, hydraulics, reservoirs “We have the ability to do long and the mission and more. If our job is done, our job, it’s just doing it in requirements are met. we’re asking others what the conditions we have to. Behind every great aircraft they need help on.” Aircrafts don’t behave the U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO | AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ALYSSA M. AKERS is a great crew. At the They perform detailed same way they would in 70 From left, Airman 1st Class Jarad Fisher and Senior Airman Dillon Hunick, base where ‘Only the Best inspections, servicing, pre- degree weather.” 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, signal to the tow vehicle Come North’, the B-52H fl ight recovery, launches and Even with this in mind, driver at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Dec. 6, 2017. Crew chiefs use signals to Stratofortresses stand tall landings along with many Minot AFB crew chiefs ensure the B-52 is towed correctly and safely. with help from dedicated other duties. don’t give up. Tasks take starts to give you and your need to do to protect the Airmen. “Our job is everything longer to complete, but that team morale.” way of life in America,” 5th Aircraft Maintenance from the time the plane hasn’t broken the morale of “We’re doing what we added Tullis. Squadron crew chiefs are lands to the time it takes these Airmen. assigned to Minot Air Force off ,” said Tullis. “That’s “If someone asked me Base’s B-52s in crews of why you see a crew chief’s if I loved my job, I’d be 3-10 Airmen to ensure every name on the side of a jet. standing and screaming, aircraft is well maintained If someone has a question staying highly motivated from the time it lands to the about the aircraft, they can every single day,” said next time it takes off . come to us for an answer.” Bitz. “After a while, you “We’re the stewards for Crew chiefs are located learn that the small tasks not only the aircraft, but around the world, but Minot you are doing are going the maintenance as well,” AFB is unique. Normal toward the big picture. said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas working hours consist of We’re putting jets in the Tullis, 5th AMXS B-52 40 minutes working, 20 sky and supporting nuclear crew chief. “We need to off . During the winter, this deterrence. Knowing this, it NORTHERN SENTRY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017 3 Deployed Airmen volunteer to CONTACTUS Tonya Stuart-Melland Sales Manager | Ad Designer enhance morale downrange [email protected] Beth Duchsherer TECH. SGT. LOUIS VEGA JR. | 386TH AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS Ad Designer | Sales Representative [email protected] OUTHWEST ASIA Combat Squadron C-130H (AFNS) -- Just as mission crew supervisor. MINOT AIR FORCE BASE S Santa’s elves are “It’s the Christmas season PUBLIC AFFAIRS busy this time of year, and there are a lot more Chief of Public Affairs Airmen at the 386th Air packages, so I decided to Lt Col. Jamie Humphries Expeditionary Wing donate help out since I was off Public Affairs Offi cer their time and sweat during [from work].” Lt. Danielle Lucero the holiday season making This is Nelsen’s first sure the Christmas spirit deployment and he has is alive and well for their been in country for only Staff Photojournalists wingmen who are far from two weeks. He deployed home during the holidays. from the 41st Electronic Tech. Sgt. Jarad Denton Approximately 30 Combat Squadron at Tech. Sgt. Evelyn Chavez Senior Airman Apryl L. Hall Airmen from different Davis-Monthan Air Force Senior Airman Sahara Fales career fields within the Base, Arizona. Senior Airman Justin Armstrong 386th AEW are supporting The air base’s postal U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO | TECH. SGT. LOUIS VEGA JR. Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman the air base post office team, comprised of seven Staff Sgt. Andrew Thomsen, 386th Expeditionary Communications Airman 1st Class Jonathan McElderry during the holiday season Airmen, has accepted the Squadron mail processing supervisor, processes a package Dec. 13, Airman 1st Class Alyssa Akers while deployed. 2017, while sorting mail during the holiday season at an undisclosed help from these volunteers Airman 1st Class Dillon Audit “Mail is one of the to unload, sort and process location in Southwest Asia. Airman 1st Class Ashley Boster things that connects us mail ensuring morale with our families back during deployment remains home,” said Senior Airman high. The Airmen offer COMMANDERS Daniel Nelsen, 43rd their off-duty time daily 5th Bomb Wing Commander: Expeditionary Electronic through Dec. 30, 2017. Col. Matthew R. Brooks 5th Bomb Wing Vice Commander: Col. Sloan Hollis 91st Missile Wing Commander: Col. Colin J. Connor 91st Missile Wing Vice Commander: Col. Craig Ramsey NEWSSUBMISSIONS Northern Sentry Offi ce U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO | TECH. SGT. LOUIS VEGA JR. [email protected] | 701.839.0946 Airmen from different career fi elds within the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing process and sort mail Dec. 13, 2017, during the holiday season at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. MAFB Public Affairs Offi ce “It is important to have “The demeanor [email protected] mail communications some people have 701.723.6212 with our loved ones when they don’t back home,” said Master get mail they are MAIL&FAX Sgt. Richard Balanon, expecting, compared 315 South Main Street, Suite 202 386th Expeditionary to when they get PO Box 2183 Communications Squadron it, is significantly Minot, ND 58701 | 701.839.1867 postmaster. “It is a morale different. My booster, not only during favorite part of the VIEWONLINE the holidays, but every job is seeing how www.northernsentry.com day.” happy people are www.minot.af.mil According to Balanon, when they get their there is already a 30 mail.” percent increase of mail The Department FACEBOOK compared to the whole of Defense standard Minot Air Force Base - Northern month of December requires the post Sentry. The Northern Sentry is pub- 2016. They are expecting office to process lished by BHG, Inc., a private fi rm operating independently of the U.S. anywhere between 47,000 all mail within 24 Air Force. Contents of the Northern to 48,000 pieces of mail hours of receiving Sentry are not necessarily the of- by the end of the month, it. With the help fi cial views of, or endorsed by, the weighing approximately of the volunteers, U.S. government, the Department 202,000 to 205,000 the average amount of Defense or the Department of the pounds. of time to unload, Air Force. The offi cial newssource “Mail makes or breaks process and organize for Minot Air Force Base is www. minot.af.mil. The appearance of people’s mentality here,” two full truck-loads advertising in this publication, includ- said Staff Sgt. Andrew of mail is typically ing inserts or supplements, doesn’t Thomsen, 386th ECS mail within four hours. constitute endorsements by the DoD, processing supervisor. the Department of the Air Force or BHG Inc., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail- able for purchase, use or patron- age without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other non- NORTHERN SENTRY merit factor of the purchasers, users or patrons.