MINOT, ND (KXNET) - Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced the creation of a second North Dakota Air National Guard detachment to support operations at Minot Air Force Base, expanding the state’s role in national defense.

The new unit, known as the B-52 Operational Classic Association detachment, was approved last week by U.S. Air Force Headquarters. It will work alongside the Air Force’s 5th Bomb Wing and the Air National Guard’s 119th Wing to bolster the B-52 bomber mission at the base.

The detachment is expected to include approximately 40 personnel by Oct. 1, 2026, with plans for future growth beyond operations and maintenance. It marks a significant expansion of the Guard’s presence at Minot, which already includes the 219th Security Forces Squadron, a unit that provides joint security for

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