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Team Minot Celebrates 13 Community Leaders at Honorary Commander Induction Ceremony

Posted: Jan 23 2026

A program that allows civilian leaders to immerse themselves in the mission of Minot Air Force Base (MAFB) celebrated more than a dozen new or newly assigned members this month.

On January 15, leaders from MAFB and the Minot area celebrated 13 community members as part of the Honorary Commander (H/CC) Program during a ceremony at the Jimmy Doolittle Center. Col. Jesse W. Lamarand, Commander of the 5th Bomb Wing, and Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer kicked off the evening. The program was closed out by 91st Missile Wing Commander Col. James L. Schlabach and Minot Area Chamber EDC Board Chair Jarid Lundeen.

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.

“The Honorary Commander Program exemplifies the spirit of partnership that defines Team Minot,” said Mayor Jantzer. “We are proud to stand alongside our military neighbors and to welcome these local leaders into a program that deepens understanding and strengthens our shared mission."

“The connection between our business community and Minot Air Force Base is one of our greatest strengths,” said Lundeen. “This prestigious program gives our leaders a firsthand look at the mission of Team Minot, and that experience helps all of us better support our military neighbors and their families.”

Team Minot’s new and newly assigned 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 Director of Operations, 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, 19 in the 91^st Missile Wing, and one with the 219th Air National Guard unit, which works in close partnership with U.S. Air Force Security Forces. 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