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Team Minot Welcomes 13 Community Leaders as New Honorary Commanders

Posted: Jan 23 2026

A program that allows civilian leaders to immerse themselves in the mission of Minot Air Force Base (MAFB) has welcomed nearly a dozen new members.

On January 15, leaders from MAFB and the Minot area celebrated the induction of 13 community members into the Honorary Commander (H/CC) Program during a ceremony at the Jimmy Doolittle Center.

The H/CC Program began in the 1980s as an opportunity for civic leaders to partner with Air Force leadership to learn more about Minot Air Force Base’s ongoing mission. By making frequent visits to MAFB, participating in base meetings and ceremonies, and forming lasting relationships with their assigned military leaders, Honorary Commanders become even more enthusiastic advocates of the tireless work of Minot Air Force Base and its Airmen.

Team Minot’s newest Honorary Commanders are:

Clay Feldner – Board Member, American Petroleum Institute Bakken Chapter
Chief Michael Frye – Chief of Police, Minot Police Department
Rev. Brandy Gerjets – Pastor, First Lutheran Church
Bob Herrington – CEO, North Star Community Credit Union
Cassidy Hjelmstad – CEO/General Manager, SRT Communications
Mayor Mark Jantzer – Mayor, City of Minot
Tom Joyce – City Manager, City of Minot
Jerilyn Kersten – Minot Clinic Manager, Sanford Health
Dr. Scott Knutson – Chief of Staff, Trinity Health
Rep. Scott Louser – North Dakota House of Representatives, District 5
Jarid Lundeen – President/Owner, Jett Management; Board Chair, Minot Area Chamber EDC
Sen. Paul Thomas – North Dakota Senate, District 6
Jason Zimmerman – President, Minot Area Community Foundation

In all, there are 49 Honorary Commanders – 29 in the 5^th Bomb Wing and 20 in the 91^st Missile Wing. We are grateful for this partnership and the ways in which it deepens the connection between Minot Air Force Base and the Magic City.

2026 Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony