Two local leaders spent three days in May gaining a deeper understanding of national and global security at the Secretary of the Air Force’s National Security Forum, hosted by Air University’s Air War College in Alabama.

Minot Area Chamber EDC Board Chair Jarid Lundeen and Verendrye Electric Cooperative General Manager Brad Doll were among a select group of 89 civic leaders from across the United States who were nominated and invited to participate in the forum. The gathering brings civilian leaders and military professionals together to examine national security challenges and how decisions affecting the joint force are made.

Over three days, Lundeen and Doll engaged directly with senior Department of the Air Force leaders, faculty and Air War College students through keynote addresses, small-group seminars, and operational engagements designed to provide context behind national security decision-making.

“Being invited to participate in Air War College’s National Security Forum was a sincere honor,” Lundeen said. “And what an eye-opening experience it was. You sit across from the people making the decisions that keep this country safe, and you walk away with a whole new level of respect for their mission. Minot has always been proud of our military connection — this just deepened that pride considerably for me.”