Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Richmond | A 90th Missile Wing convoy is escorted by 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron...... read more read more
As the sun rises over the horizon, a team of Airmen arm themselves and load into their vehicles, preparing to execute one of the most critical missions in the Air Force. They do not know when they will return home - their job is not dictated by the clock, but by the successful completion of the mission.
These Airmen are members of the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron’s (MSOS) Convoy Response Force (CRF), responsible for transporting and securing military assets as they move to and from F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Though the mission is high-stakes, for these professionals, it’s just another day at the office.
“We come in, make sure vehicles and equipment are good to go, then go through guard mount, arm up, and get a briefing from leadership on the day’s threats and objectives,” said Senior Airman Danielle Bingham, 90 MSOS CRF defender. “Once we’re on site, we pull security for maintenance and complete whatever the mission calls for - whether it’s bringing something back or taking it out.”
CRF teams operate beyond F.E. Warren AFB, ensuring the safe transport of critical resources across the missile fields of Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. Their role requires coordination with multiple base agencies and local law enforcement, guaranteeing the continuous security of these strategic assets.
“We are the ones actively carrying out the mission - detect, deter, defend,” said Bingham. “We’re the reason those assets are even out in the missile field, and we play a big role in deterrence.”
While the core mission of the CRF has remained unchanged for years, the methods used to execute it are constantly evolving. One such development is the upcoming Nuclear Convoy Course (NCC), a training exercise designed to enhance the capabilities of missile security forces across Air Force Global Strike Command.
“The NCC is kind of like our own NSI (Nuclear Surety Inspection),” said Bingham. “We get to go out and show the wing what we’re capable of, how we train, and how we operate daily. Over time, we’ve used that training to tweak our TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) - it’s been a big benefit for us to figure out what works and what doesn’t.”
With NCC on the horizon, CRF Airmen will have multiple opportunities to train under realistic conditions, ensuring they are always ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice. This hands-on approach to training reinforces their ability to protect critical assets and execute their mission effectively.
“Because of what we do - moving nuclear assets in their most vulnerable state - training is everything,” said Senior Airman Ryan Long, 90 MSOS CRF defender. “You’ve got to stay spun up on CQC (Close Quarter Combat), PT (Physical Training), breaching…all of it. It’s a big deal, and we’ve got to be ready for anything.”
As the demands of modern warfare evolve, so too must the Airmen responsible for securing the nation’s most valuable assets. Through rigorous training and unwavering dedication, CRF remains an indispensable force in the defense of U.S. strategic deterrence.
“It doesn’t take much - just dedication,” added Bingham. “Come in, do the job, and show that you want to be here. This mission has a lot of eyes on it. We’re a key part of it, and we take that seriously.”
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2025 12:01 |
| Story ID: | 493887 |
| Location: | F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYOMING, US |
| Web Views: | 583 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Guardians of the Convoy: Inside the CRF’s Nuclear Shield, by SSgt Michael Richmond, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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