Col. George Chapman assumes command of Minot's 91st Missile Wing at change-of-command ceremony

Col. George Chapman took command of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base on July 8, succeeding Col. James Schlabach in a ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser, commander of the 20th Air Force. The handover put a former Minot deputy commander back atop the wing that operates one of the Air Force’s three operational intercontinental ballistic missile units. Chapman told airmen and guests he would build on the wing’s legacy and remain focused on the mission and the people who carry it out. The 91st Missile Wing said its Minuteman III force remains on alert as the Air Force prepares for broader nuclear modernization. ### Who handed Chapman the wing, and who did he replace? Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser presented the guidon to Chapman during the change-of-command ceremony at Minot, according to the Air Force’s account of the event. Chapman assumed command from Schlabach, whose first name appears as James in the Air Force release and Jimmy in local television coverage. (minot.af.mil) Minot Air Force Base said the ceremony formally transferred command of the 91st Missile Wing on July 8. KX News reported that airmen, family members, military leaders and community leaders attended the event. ### Why is Chapman a familiar name at Minot? Chapman previously served as deputy commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot before leaving for his next assignment, according to both the Air Force and KX News. (minot.af.mil) The Air Force biography for Chapman says he most recently served as deputy commander of 20th Air Force at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. His biography also says Chapman has experience across the intercontinental ballistic missile enterprise, including service as an instructor, planner and weapons officer for the Minuteman III and command of an operational ICBM squadron. That background places him in a command role at a wing whose daily mission centers on missile operations, maintenance and security. (minot.af.mil) ### What did Chapman say when he took command? Chapman said it was “the honor of a lifetime” to serve as commander, according to the Air Force release. He pledged to build on the 91st Missile Wing’s legacy and said the team would remain “loyal in service, steadfast in resolve and lethal in combat capability.” “Freedom requires constant uncompromising vigilance,” Chapman said in remarks quoted by Minot Air Force Base. (afgsc.af.mil) KX News also reported that Chapman said his focus would be keeping the Minuteman III force ready while preparing for modernization work ahead. ### What exactly does the 91st Missile Wing do at Minot? Minot Air Force Base says the 91st Missile Wing is one of the Air Force’s three operational missile units. (minot.af.mil) The base says the wing has about 1,800 personnel across the 91st Operations Group, 91st Maintenance Group and 91st Security Forces Group working together to keep Minuteman missiles on alert. That mission sits alongside Minot’s bomber role. (minot.af.mil) The base’s recent news releases show continued command turnover this summer across missile-wing subordinate units, including the 91st Operations Group and 91st Maintenance Group, as Minot reshapes leadership ahead of future modernization efforts. ### What comes next for Minot’s missile mission? The Air Force said Chapman’s task is to lead the wing after returning from 20th Air Force headquarters, while KX News reported he is emphasizing readiness and preparation for modernization. (minot.af.mil) Neither release attached a public date in this announcement for a specific modernization milestone at the wing. (minot.af.mil) Minot Air Force Base said on July 1 that Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink had visited the installation on June 29 to review the base’s dual missions and ongoing modernization. Chapman now takes over as the 91st Missile Wing continues that work with Minuteman III missiles on alert and new leadership in place across the organization. (minot.af.mil) (minot.af.mil)