Minot Air Force Base
Welcome to Minot Air Force Base, your new assignment in the Air Force! We are thrilled to have you join us in the Magic City, and we’re here to assist you as you get settled in. Whether you’re an airman receiving your orders to Minot or a friend or family member visiting, you’ve come to the right place for information about life on and off base. Use our tips and info to make your PCS to Minot seamless.
Situated just 13 miles north of Minot, North Dakota, along Highway 83, Minot AFB is a dynamic community with a constantly changing population. Currently, the base is home to approximately 5,550 active-duty members and 5,580 family members. As a recognized community by the United States Census Bureau, Minot AFB offers an array of amenities and services for military members and their families to enjoy. https://www.minot.af.mil/About-Us/Newcomers/
Aside from the abundant on-base facilities, Minot, a community of 50,000, is bursting with life, locally owned restaurants, many shopping options, and various things to see and do. From schools and healthcare to entertainment venues, parks, and culture offerings, Minot has something for everyone. We highly recommend making the short drive to town within your first few weeks on base.
Explore the charm of downtown Minot, featuring distinctive bars, boutique shopping, and unparalleled dining options, as well as exciting events like pub crawls, art walks, and seasonal festivities. Stroll through impeccably maintained parks and captivating museums showcasing local history and culture. We can’t wait until you see Minot’s top attractions.
Escape the daily grind with your family at Roosevelt Park Zoo, open year-round, where you can observe majestic tigers on the prowl or watch sloths slowly traverse their tree branches. Watch your children learn and play at Magic City Discovery Center. They climb through the prairie dog crawl, up the oil derrick, and pass through clouds, reaching a B-52 perched at the top of the 37-foot Magic Climber exhibit. Venture into the great outdoors with numerous wildlife refuges in the vicinity and plenty of opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. Don’t wait to discover all that Minot and the surrounding area offer!
By living in Minot, you’ll be a part of a supportive community that cares about your well-being. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Minot has something for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome you to Minot, and we hope you’ll love it here as much as we do! Stop by to say hi at 1020 S Broadway, where you can pick up your FREE guides to Minot, including attractions and dining. We also have a charming gift shop where you can find Scandinavian gifts, North Dakotan-made products, and Minot souvenirs.
Browse our calendar of events to see all the events happening in and around Minot. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to be in the know for all the cool things happening in the Magic City. Use our hashtag #MagicInMinot; we want to see where you explore. Our website is full of resources to find the best places to eat or shop. We hope you get a feel of what the quality of life is like in Minot, and this makes your PCSing to Minot an easy transition. Welcome to Team Minot!
Visiting Minot Air Force Base
If you’re visiting Minot or here to see family, keep your eyes on the skies for the B-52S. The bombers fly at 650 miles per hour and cover a lot of ground quickly! B-52S are frequently spotted in the Minot area, so be alert. If you want to see the base, you can submit a tour request form. Minot AFB tours are available from March to October and must be arranged in advance. They include a base tour with a brief mission overview, a B-52 static display, and an MPT tour. Visit here for current information. Former retired military members with a retained DOD (Department of Defense) card can access the base.
Minot AFB proudly hosts the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing and is the only installation in the Department of Defense to host two legs of the Nuclear Triad. Established during the Cold War in 1957 as an Air Defense Command base, MAFB has a rich history. The 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Minot AFB operated F-106 and F-15 aircraft until 1988 when the air defense mission was eliminated. In 1961, B-52Hs were stationed at Minot and operated continuously under the 5th Bomb Wing when it relocated from Travis AFB, CA, in July 1968. In 1968, the 91st Missile Wing transitioned from B-52s at Glasgow AFB, Montana, to Minot AFB and the Minuteman I ICBM. In 1971, they became the first wing to operate Minuteman III. They have been on continuous alert operation every day since June 1968.
Today, Minot AFB remains an integral part of the nation’s defense with a mission supporting the nuclear triad and maintaining global stability. The 91 MW’s new LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system will soon replace the aging Minuteman IIIs, and the 5 BW is set to receive updates on the B-52 bombers that will expand their lifetimes well into 2050. Team Minot is ready to deter 24/7/365, proving their motto that ‘Only the Best Come North.’
For official news and events from Minot Air Force Base, visit their website. Follow the Northern Sentry, Minot AFB’s official newspaper, for events, news, and life on base.