Editing Minot Air Force Base (section)

===Strategic Air Command===
[[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) initially had units assigned to Minot AFB in 1958 for [[Aerial refueling|air refueling]] support. The [[4136th Strategic Wing]] was formed 1 September 1958, consisting of the [[906th Air Refueling Squadron]], followed by the 4136th Combat Defense Squadron that was activated on 1 June 1959. The first SAC [[KC-135 Stratotanker|KC-135A Stratotanker]] assigned, nicknamed "Miss Minot," arrived on 23 September 1959 and remained on base until the 906th Air Refueling Squadron was relocated to [[Grand Forks Air Force Base|Grand Forks AFB]] in northeast North Dakota in January 1994. This aircraft was notable for its [[tail flash]] – "The Sun Never Sets on the 906th".

The scope of operations grew as the Air Force transferred the [[525th Bombardment Squadron]] from the [[19th Bombardment Wing]] at [[Homestead Air Force Base|Homestead AFB]], Florida, on March 8, 1961, followed by the first [[B-52 Stratofortress|B-52H Stratofortress]] on 10 July 1961, nicknamed "Peace Persuader". This was preceded by the activation of the 60th Munitions Maintenance Squadron on 1 December 1960, followed by 4136th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron, 4136th Field Maintenance Squadron, and 4136th Organizational Maintenance Squadron 1 March 1961, with the 4136th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron being added in November 1962. Demonstrating the capabilities of the B-52, on 10–11 January 1962 a B-52H from the 4136th Strategic Wing at Minot set a new world distance record, flying unrelieved {{convert|12532|mi}} from [[Kadena AB]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] to [[Torrejon AB]], [[Spain]].

On 1 February 1963, SAC, as part of a conversion to unit designations with historical significance, activated the [[450th Bombardment Wing]] at Minot and the [[720th Bombardment Squadron]], along with the formation of the 450th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron, 450th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron, 450th Field Maintenance Squadron, and the 450th Organizational Maintenance Squadron simultaneously.

[[File:Minuteman III in silo 1989.jpg|thumb|150px|[[LGM-30 Minuteman#Minuteman-III .28LGM-30G.29: the current model|Minuteman III]] in silo (1989, Grand Forks AFB)|alt=|left]]
In 1961, the Air Force selected the land around Minot for a new [[Minuteman I]] [[ICBM]] complex. The [[455th Strategic Missile Wing]] was activated in December 1962 along with the 455th Missile Maintenance Squadron. The 740th and 741st Strategic Missile Squadrons operationally controlled the ICBMs and in January 1963, the 742d Strategic Missile Squadron was activated with a third squadron of Minuteman ICBMS. During the 1970s, the 150 missile sites around the region, {{convert|10|–|70|mi}} from the base, were converted to [[Minuteman III]]s; a model of the older Minuteman I stands at the Minot AFB main gate.

Command of Minot AFB passed from [[Air Defense Command]] to SAC in July 1962 as the base's primary mission changed from air defense to strategic deterrence. The new command unit, the [[810th Air Division]] was organized along with the 862d Combat Support Group as the host unit for the base. Units assigned to the 862d Combat Support Group were the 862d Civil Engineering Squadron, the 862d Combat Defense Squadron (later redesignated 862d Security Police Squadron), the 862d Food Service Squadron (later redesignated 862d Services Squadron), 862d Operations Squadron (later redesignated 862d Communications Squadron), 862d Supply Squadron and 862d Transportation Squadron, The 862d Medical Group was also formed and reported to the Commander, 810th Air Division.

In July 1968, the 450th Bombardment Wing and 455th Strategic Missile Wing were inactivated, being from [[Travis AFB]], [[California]], when jurisdiction of Travis was assumed by the [[Military Airlift Command]] and the [[91st Strategic Missile Wing]] from [[Glasgow Air Force Base|Glasgow AFB]], [[Montana]], when it closed. These changes were in line with the Air Force policy of keeping active those units with the most illustrious histories. The 23d Bombardment Squadron assumed operational control of all [[B-52]] aircraft for the 5th Bombardment Wing. Unit Designations Assigned at Minot on June 25, 1968 were the 5th Bombardment Wing and 23rd Bombardment Squadron, 5th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron, 5th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron (later redesignated as the 5th Avionics Maintenance Squadron), 5th Field Maintenance Squadron, 5th Organizational Maintenance Squadron & the 5th Munitions Maintenance Squadron. 91st Strategic Missile Wing [Minuteman], 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron.

On July 2, 1969 the 862d Medical Group was renamed the USAF Hospital. Minot, and the 862d Services Squadron was inactivated; its functions were assumed by the 862d Combat Support Group.

The 810th Strategic Aerospace Division was inactivated 30 June 1971, and was replaced by the [[5th Bombardment Wing]].
[[File:Minotafb-august1973.jpg|thumb|270px|Approaching runway 29 at Minot AFB in 1973, alert ramp [[Christmas tree (aviation)|"Christmas tree"]] at bottom center]]

The 862d Combat Support Group was inactivated on July 31, 1972, with host unit duties being taken over by the 91st Combat Support Group (SAC). Under SAC policy, missile wings were fixed in locations, where aircraft units were considered a mobile and the host units were assigned to the missile wings. Units assigned to the 91st Combat Support Group were the 91st Civil Engineering Squadron, the 91st Security Police Squadron, 91st Communications Squadron, 91st Supply Squadron and 91st Transportation Squadron, The USAF Hospital, MINOT.

The 4th Airborne Command & Control Squadron (ACCS) at [[Ellsworth Air Force Base|Ellsworth AFB]], [[South Dakota|SD]] maintained two [[Boeing EC-135|EC-135]] [[Airborne Launch Control Center]] (ALCC) aircraft on forward deployed alert at MAFB for [[Airborne Launch Control System]] (ALCS) coverage of [[LGM-30 Minuteman|Minuteman ICBM]] Wings at Malmstrom AFB, MT; Minot AFB, ND; and Grand Forks AFB, ND. The ALCS provided a survivable launch capability for Minuteman ICBMs if their ground-based Launch Control Centers were incapacitated or destroyed.

Late in 1973 a second Alert Parking Ramp ([[Christmas tree (aviation)|"Christmas Tree"]]) was added across runway 29, to the south. The 416th Bombardment Wing, from [[Griffiss AFB]] in central [[New York (state)|New York]], maintained two B-52G aircraft with [[AGM-28 Hound Dog|AGM-28B Hound Dog Missiles]] and two KC-135A aircraft along with two KC-135 Aircraft from the 380th Bombardment Wing at [[Plattsburgh AFB]] in northeast New York. On 2 January 1975, the 57th Air Division was activated at MAFB, and on 30 September 1975, the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron was replaced by the 91st Field Missile Maintenance Squadron, and the 91st Organizational Missile Maintenance Squadron.

Following the [[Iran hostage crisis]] of 1979–81, SAC tasked the former 57th Air Division to organize the Strategic Projection Force. The 57th AD became the host unit, providing logistical, security, administrative and other support services to the 5th BMW, 91st SMW and tenant organizations.

In the early 1990s, the base prepared for change as the Air Force directed reorganization, and the 5th Bomb Wing assumed host base responsibilities.<ref>{{cite book
|url=http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/airforce_bases_us.pdf
|title=Air Force Bases, Vol 1: Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on September 17, 1982
|author=Robert Mueller, United States Air Force Historical Research Center
|publisher=Office of Air Force History
|isbn=0-912799-53-6
|access-date=December 26, 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320075246/http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/Publications/fulltext/airforce_bases_us.pdf
|archive-date=March 20, 2009
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

====Cold War aircraft incidents====
*A KC-135A tanker (AF Ser. No. 58-0026)<ref name=58ser>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1958.html |website=Joseph F. Baugher |title=1958 USAF serial numbers |access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> from [[March Air Reserve Base|March AFB]] crashed shortly after takeoff from Minot AFB on 17 January 1968, killing 12 of the 13 on board.<ref name=afck12>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Bt1XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4840%2C744635 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Air Force crash kills 12 |date=January 18, 1968 |page=1}}</ref> Major General Charles M. Eisenhart, vice commander of the [[15th Air Force#Cold War|Fifteenth Air Force]], was at the controls and over-[[Rotation (aeronautics)|rotated]] at takeoff in low [[visibility]], inducing a [[Stall (fluid mechanics)|stall]]. The survivor, a steward, was badly burned and later succumbed.<ref>{{ASN accident|title=58-0026|id= 19680117-1|accessdate= May 1, 2014}}</ref> On a staff visit from March AFB, the aircraft was departing for [[Glasgow Air Force Base|Glasgow AFB]], [[Montana]].<ref name=afck12/>
*In the early hours of October 4, 1968, a Minot B-52H (AF Ser. No. 60-0027)<ref name=ser600027>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=48285 |website=Aviation Safety |title=60-0027 |agency=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 48285 |date=October 4, 1968 |access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref><!--{{ASN accident|title=60-0027|id=48585|accessdate= May 1, 2014}}</ref>--> was on approach, completing an overnight training mission with six aboard. It lost power to four engines and crashed in a field {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} east, with four fatalities and two survivors.<ref name=poicob>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BM8zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4947%2C1572823 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=UPI |title=Probe opens into crash of bomber |date=5 October 1968 |page=9}}</ref><ref name=cpgtmom>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ic5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TMcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6349%2C480284 |newspaper=Southeast Missourian |title=Cape Girardeau pilot tells mother about jet crash |date=October 5, 1968 |page=1}}</ref> Among the dead was a lieutenant colonel just days from retirement, and the squadron clerk, on his first B-52 orientation ride.<ref name=ser600027/>
*A B-52H (AF Ser. No. 61-0037)<ref name=61ser>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1961.html |website=Joseph F. Baugher |title=1961 USAF serial numbers |access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref> crashed shortly after a midday takeoff on 21 January 1969 and burst into flames on a farm about {{convert|0.8|mi}} west of the runway, killing all six crew members.<ref name=b52ctsl>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CrdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3999%2C2245610|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=B52 bomber crash takes six lives |date=22 January 1969 |page=2}}</ref><ref name=fmkindc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z5NYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PPgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2363%2C1261112 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=Four men killed in N.D. crash |date=21 January 1969 |page=1}}</ref> An incorrect preflight fuel load distribution caused a stall on takeoff after a climb to {{convert|200|-|300|ft|-1}} and it made several pitch gyrations prior to the crash.<ref name=61ser/>
*During a training flight on March 10, 1969, a Minot F-106A (AF Ser. No. 59-0014)<ref name=59ser>{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1959.html |website=Joseph F. Baugher |title=1959 USAF serial numbers |access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> crashed into the western portion of [[Lake Sakakawea]],<ref name=ser590014>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=138178 |website=Aviation Safety |title=59-0014 |agency=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 138178 |date=March 10, 1969 |access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref> about {{convert|50|mi|km|spell=in}} southwest of the base. The pilot ejected safely to land and the plane sank below the frozen surface. It was not located until over 35 years later, in September 2004, after an extended search by a local surveyors' group.<ref name=pofplfinl>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/mathscience/2004-10-01-math-and-fighter-jets_x.htm|newspaper=USA Today |title=Parts of fighter plane found in lake nearly 35 years after crash |agency=Associated Press |date=October 1, 2004 |access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref>
*While being refueled on the ramp early on 14 November 1975, a B-52H (61-0033)<ref name=61ser/> caught fire and exploded.<ref name=ebfamb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RE9OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2774%2C3493829 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=B52 explodes, burns at Minot |date=November 14, 1975 |page=1}}</ref> Two refueling personnel were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.<ref name=tpllibf>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8u9LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=be0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7179%2C6025853 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=2 persons lose lives in B52 fire |date=November 15, 1975 |page=17 }}</ref><ref name=ser610033>{{cite web |url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=48287 |website=Aviation Safety |title=61-0033 |agency=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 48287 |date=November 14, 1975 |access-date=May 4, 2014}}</ref>