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Task Force 21 Member Randy Burckhard Receives Commander's Award for Public Service

Posted: May 05 2026

The Minot Area Chamber EDC is proud to celebrate Task Force 21 member and North Dakota State Sen. Randy Burckhard, who received the Commander’s Award for Public Service in recognition of more than 16 years of impactful leadership and advocacy on behalf of Minot Air Force Base as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) Civic Leader Program.

Burckhard was recognized for “his distinguished service as an outstanding Air Force advocate” by Gen. S.L. Davis, Commander of AFGSC and Commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, during the Task Force 21 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium on April 28, 2026, at the Clarion Hotel Convention Center in Minot.

Maj. Tom Barger, Chief of Public Affairs for the 5th Bomb Wing, delivered the formal citation highlighting Burckhard’s impact:

“During his tenure in the AFGSC Civic Leader Program, Mr. Burckhard represented the communities surrounding Minot Air Force Base and supported the 36,000 airmen and families in Air Force Global Strike Command,” Barger said. “He tirelessly advocated for the B-21, Sentinel, and MH-139 programs through both his role on the Civic Leader Program and as a leader with Task Force 21, whose nuclear triad symposiums have served as a vital platform for both education and advocacy for the nuclear mission.”

“The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Burckhard reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Global Strike Command, and the United States Air Force,” Barger concluded.

“It has been a privilege to serve and to work alongside so many dedicated individuals,” Burckhard said. “The relationships built over the years and the opportunity to support Minot Air Force Base have meant a great deal to me. I thank Gen. Davis for this distinct honor.”

Burckhard transitioned to emeritus status in the AFGSC Civic Leader Program at the end of 2025. Stepping in as Burckhard’s successor is Jason Zimmerman, President of the Minot Area Community Foundation and Chair-Elect of the Minot Area Chamber EDC. Jason has long been active in Task Force 21 and began serving as Vice Chair in January of 2025. He is also a member of the recently formed TF21 Sentinel Working Group, helping guide community coordination tied to modernization efforts.