ABOUT 91st SPS:10th SPS
- Origins in Vietnam: The 91st Security Police Squadron (SPS) was originally activated at Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War, responsible for base security and defense against Viet Cong attacks.
- Transfer to the United States: After its service in Vietnam, the 91st SPS was reassigned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where it became a key unit protecting the base’s Minuteman nuclear missile silos.
- Cold War Role: The 91st SPS played a vital role during the Cold War, providing security for one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fields.
- Motto: The squadron’s motto, "Defenders of the North," reflects its mission to safeguard U.S. nuclear assets in harsh, remote conditions.
- Heritage and Emblem: The 91st SPS patch features a mailed fist gripping lightning bolts, symbolizing strength and readiness to strike, with a backdrop of the northern lights.
- 10th Security Police Squadron: The 10th SPS, associated with the 10th Strategic Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, also shared a similar nuclear security mission.
- Women in Security Police: The 91st SPS was among the early USAF units to integrate women into security police roles during the 1970s, paving the way for greater gender integration in military law enforcement.
- Notable Incident: In 1979, the 91st SPS responded to a major winter blizzard, maintaining security patrols and safeguarding missile sites despite life-threatening weather conditions.
- Transition to Security Forces: In 1997, the Security Police career field merged with the Law Enforcement Specialists, becoming Security Forces. The 91st SPS became the 91st Security Forces Squadron (SFS).
- Legacy and Reunion: Veterans of the 91st and 10th SPS hold regular reunions, sharing stories of service from Vietnam to the ICBM fields, keeping their history alive for future generations.