AFGSC commander visits Team Malmstrom

by Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont.  -- The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command Gen. Robin Rand visited Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Sept. 24-26, to meet  with Airmen and see how they execute the mission.

The visit to the 341st Missile Wing was the general's first since taking command and afforded him the opportunity to engage with the Airmen who perform the strategic deterrence mission every day.

"This wing is doing great work," Rand told the Airmen. "We are the greatest Air Force in the world, and I don't say that boastfully. That's a fact. But to stay great, you have to work at being great. You've got to continually be willing to be innovative, adapt, adjust and stay relevant -- it takes constant work."

Rand met with junior enlisted Airmen and base leaders to answer questions and discuss current Air Force issues, participated in command meetings and toured several base facilities while accompanied by his wife Kim, and Chief Master Sgt. Calvin Williams, the incoming AFGSC command chief.

One of Rand's key points of emphasis during the visit was the importance team Malmstrom plays in the nuclear mission.
"As long as there are nuclear weapons in this world, we need to maintain them," Rand said. "And as long as we are maintaining them, we absolutely need to have a nuclear triad because a triad gives us the survivability, the protection and the capability to do exactly what we are doing and that is to ensure that no one else will use them against us."

During a base-wide all call, Rand stressed the importance of AFGSC and how the missileers are key to ensuring the safety of our nation.

"Global Strike Command is the most unique [major command] in the United States Air Force and we are the only command that does what we do globally," Rand said. "You're the ones who make sure the enemies of this country sleep with one eye open. You are our nation's silent warriors. You fight in-place every day, 24/7."

Rand also spoke with the Airmen about both a personal and professional reverence he maintains for the Airmen and their families. "I have a lot of admiration and respect for Airmen who have families and the challenges they face," he said.

The general honed in on the importance of maintaining the Air Force core values and how Airmen who live by those values will succeed both at work and outside of their job.

"Our foundation in the United States Air Force is our core values," Rand said. "That's who we are, that's what we're going to build on. It's about the profession of arms. It's about being a warrior. It's about character. It's about treating Airmen with dignity and respect."

The general closed his comments at the all call by offering a personal note to the Airmen and challenging them to keep the mission at Malmstrom running.

"I love the Air Force and our mission, but most importantly, I really consider it an honor to serve with you and be one of your wingmen," Rand said. "I want you to know that I'm focused on you, your mission and your family, and I'm going to work hard to help you. The mission is the mission, but it's Airmen who do that mission."

Maintenance teams lock down points as Global Strike Challenge continues

by John Turner
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/9/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Four of the 341st Missile Wing's five Global Strike Challenge 2015 intercontinental ballistic missile maintenance teams are in the spotlight this week as they enter the arena to wrench points away from similar teams at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

ICBM Maintenance competition events here Sept. 8-11 will evaluate the 341st Maintenance Group's GSC Electromechanical Team, Facilities Maintenance Team, Missile Handling Team, and Missile Communications Teams' mastery over career-specific tasks. Each missile maintenance element can score up to 300 points for the wing, with points deducted for errors and incomplete tasks after the time allotted. Each wing is evaluated at its home location. Final scores will be revealed in October.

"The 341st MXG is very proud of all the competitors and trainers and we're confident they will bring home some hardware," said 1st Lt. Jennifer Wendland, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron training flight commander.

The EMT is comprised of Senior Airman Cameron Thoms, team chief; Senior Airman Joshua Wood, team member; and Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Scearce, alternate team member. Tech. Sgt. Alexander Hutchings and Senior Airman Ryan Smith are the team's trainers. Day to day, EMT is part of the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron's generation flight and is responsible for the command and control of the Minuteman ICBM weapon system.

On the FMT is Senior Airman Robert Gilsbach, team chief; Staff Sgt. Paul Parzynski, team member; and Airman 1st Class Erick Alvarez-Pagan, alternate team member. Tech. Sgt. Michael Marshall and Staff Sgt. Kyle Namen are the team's trainers. The work center is responsible for the power and environmental control systems that support the Minuteman weapon system and is part of the 341st MMXS facilities flight.

The MHT is comprised of Tech. Sgt. Gary Pamplin, team chief; Senior Airman Brett Besserman, team member; Senior Airman Michael Beverly, team member; Senior Airman Christopher Blessing, team member; and Senior Airman Shaquille Stephens, alternate team member. Staff Sgts. Matthew Truitt and Andrew Wellman are the team's trainers. MHT is responsible for all third-stage operations of Minuteman maintenance including the removal, installation, transport and transfer of the missile's 68,000-pound booster. The work center is part of the 341st MMXS generation flight.

The MCT is Senior Airman Taylor Knox, team chief; Senior Airman Tripp McCool, team member; and Senior Airman Chris St. John, alternate team member. Staff Sgt. Joshua Rutledge and Senior Airman Travis Grimit are the team's trainers. Their work center is responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of nuclear command, control and communication systems for the Minuteman system. Day to day, the work center is part of the 341st MMXS facilities flight.

The group's fifth GSC team, from the 341st Munitions Squadron, was evaluated Sept. 2-4. The MUNS team competes annually while EMT, FMT, MHT and MCT each compete every two years, alternating biennially with four other teams from the 341st Missile Maintenance and 341st Maintenance Operations Squadrons.

Malmstrom's five maintenance teams were formally announced at the wing's official GSC 2015 kick-off event at the Grizzly Bend Aug. 28. Members have been training intensively in the weeks leading up to competition events, drilling in the evenings and over weekends to perfect their timing, awareness and team cohesion.

"The MXG teams have put in 45 days and approximately 495 hours of training," said Wendland. "As a result, they have received a tremendous amount of support from their peers and leadership."

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork at various locations throughout the country, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities. More than 450 Airmen from across AFGSC, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country.

Team Malmstrom works with Montana National guard, local emergency services during MARE

by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

8/12/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont.  -- Medical personnel, emergency response and flight crew members from Malmstrom Air Force Base banded together Monday Aug. 20 to participate in a Major Accident Response Exercise along with members of the 120th Airlift Wing and flight crew from the Montana Army National Guard.

Implemented to evaluate how Airmen on the base could organize and execute a massive casualty response while coordinating with multiple agencies across the state of Montana, the event proved to be a challenge that would take teamwork to execute effectively.

"The exercise was successful in that the objectives we set out to perform were accomplished," said Capt. Jason Garcia, 341st Medical Support Squadron diagnostics and therapeutics flight commander. "There were many moving parts to include multiple emergency response and ground transition vehicles, and six aircraft."

Forty-two simulated casualties were successfully flown from the scene of the accident to virtual triage centers in Great Falls and Helena, Montana.

At the scene, The 341st Medical group integrated their team with members of the Montana Air National Guard's 120th Medical Group and processed 15 simulated casualties.

"We demonstrated the ability to communicate and coordinate with the Army National Guard's 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion who provided medevac support for 26 casualties, and local Great Falls emergency services," said Garcia.

The local Great Falls emergency services simulated transport of one critical casualty to Benefis Health System.

According to Garcia, all the units and community partners involved performed very well throughout the exercise while garnering valuable observations and lessons to improve upon in the future.

Leading up to the event, preparation was crucial.

If members of Team Malmstrom and coordinating emergency personnel already have experience in dealing with a disaster situation, that can translate to reduced response times, eliminate confusion and ultimately save lives with a better synchronized response.

According to participants, the best part of the MARE response was the professionalism on display at all levels.

"There was a focus by all the players involved," said Garcia. "Everyone was clearly there to learn and improve."

Helicopter operations team sets course for Global Strike Challenge sweep

by John Turner
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- True to the "Pathfinders" logo painted on the tail of its UH-1N Iroquois aircraft, Team Malmstrom's helicopter operations team is leading the 341st Missile Wing into Global Strike Challenge 2015.

The helicopter operations competition Aug. 9-11 at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, is the first event for the wing as teams representing Malmstrom's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations, maintenance and security missions prepare to show they are the best in Air Force Global Strike Command.

Four aircrew members from the 40th Helicopter Squadron and two tactical response force members from the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron comprise Malmstrom's helicopter operations team. They will be competing against similar teams from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming.

This will be the first Global Strike Challenge since helicopter squadrons at the three ICBM bases became part of the 20th Air Force's 582nd Helicopter Group based at F.E. Warren.

There will be three events, each designed to test a different aspect of the helicopter operations and tactical response force combined mission.

An emergency security response will test the team's ability to rapidly react to a hostile security incident at a missile launch facility. The TRF members must accurately assess the situation, identify all threats in the area, and decide where to insert a responder to eliminate the biggest threat. After a lane is cleared for a second landing, the other TRF member will assault the site.

A night time, low-level flight will test the crew's ability to navigate using night vision goggles. Aircrew will have to demonstrate aircraft control by maintaining flight altitudes between 100-200 feet above ground, avoiding simulated threat engagement areas, and managing speed and timing to pick up their TRF team at one site and infiltrate them to another site at an exact time to simulate assaulting and regaining control of a critical component, also under night vision devices.

The final event is a daylight search and rescue scenario. The aircrew must find the TRF members at each of two sites and maintain a precision hover 100 feet above ground while lowering a litter to each simulated casualty within a target ring. The crew will then return to hoist the TRF members aboard.

All events are graded based on overall time, keeping to prescribed altitudes and speeds, and the tactical and technical abilities of aircrew and TRF.

Capt. Gregory Johnston, 40th HS, is the team's aircraft commander. He has been at Malmstrom two years, the longest of the team's aircrew.  He said he considers it an honor that a young crew was selected to represent Malmstrom.

"None of us are instructors," Johnston said. "We're a little bit more junior (than the competition) so we're looking to show them that you don't have to be an instructor to be super-awesome, and prove that Malmstrom has the best crew no matter their crew position or experience level."

Johnston said that daily operations over Malmstrom's 13,800 square mile missile complex will give his team a slight advantage, since Camp Guernsey's terrain, altitude and temperatures are similar to central Montana. The 40th HS is also very proficient in tactical and night operations because of the security mission here.

"If you look at what the competition is, it's all stuff we do daily and quite frankly the 40th is expert at, especially search and rescues," he said. "That's kind of our bread and butter."

In his off time, Johnston enjoys bicycling, spending time with his wife and dog, and "tasting the finest coffees in the land" around Great Falls, Montana.

Capt. Donald Feely, 40th HS, is the team's co-pilot. He has been at Malmstrom for a year and a half. Like the other aircrew members, this is Feely's first Global Strike Challenge competition.

"It's great to be selected, and especially to send a bunch of younger guys," he said. "It says very highly about all of us."

Feely loves the outdoors and enjoys mountain biking with Johnston in his leisure time.
Staff Sgt. James McMullen, 40th HS, is one of the team's two special missions aviators. Their role is to operate the helicopter's hoist, secure everything in the cabin and manage passengers.

"We still call ourselves flight engineers," he said, noting that the old duty title is still deeply ingrained within the career field. And, he jokes, "It's easier to say than special missions aviator."

McMullen is confident that his team will perform well at the competition.

"I think we're going to give it our all," he said. "If you're not first, you're last."

McMullen hails from Alaska and has been at Malmstrom for less than a year. He says he spends most of his free time "hanging around the house" with his wife and child.
Staff Sgt. Eric McElroy, 40th HS, is the team's other special missions aviator and will work hand-in-hand with McMullen during the competition.

"My role in the team is I keep the morale up," McElroy quipped. "If we're having a bad day, I usually crack a joke or tell a story and it makes everybody happy again."

He joked that the team does group calisthenics and has a bagel eating competition each morning to prepare for the competition. In a more serious moment, McElroy positively appraised the team's readiness.

"In our hearts we are the best base," he said. "They can grade us however they want to but we know we get the saves, we have the best crew, we have the best pilots and best flight engineers that these three bases have to offer. So regardless, in our hearts we're going to win."

McElroy is originally from Kansas and owns a Great Dane named Choncho. His small family is about to increase as he and his wife are expecting their first child.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Hart, 741st MSFS tactical response force flight chief and flight trainer, brings Global Strike Challenge experience to the team. He was on last year's helicopter operations team when Malmstrom won Best Tactics. That was the first year security forces were integrated into the events, he said, and this time he knows better what to expect. He thinks this will help him assist the aircrew and his security forces partner in making sound tactical decisions.

Hart has been a TRF member at Malmstrom for three and a half years.

"We have a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience when it comes to emergency response criteria and launch facility recaptures as well as basic helicopter cop tactics," he said. "Our role is to provide the security aspect for the aircraft and to provide the lethal edge for the team wherever they decide to put us in at or for whatever we're called to do."

Hart says that while the team is training day and night for the competition, most of the events are within the realm of what he does every day at Malmstrom. Learning to ride the hoist for the search and rescue evaluation is a unique experience for security forces, he said, but it has been fun.

"I refuse to go down and come back with anything less than first place," he said. "This year we're going to beat Minot and F.E. in all three categories and come home with the big trophies."

Hart is originally from Colorado and enjoys outdoors activities, especially shooting and snowboarding.

Staff Sgt. Steven Trantham, 741st MSFS tactical response force trainer, is from Oklahoma and also enjoys snowboarding.  He has been at Malmstrom for five and a half years but this is his first Global Strike Challenge competition. Trantham and Hart regularly work with the 40th HS to plan training and exercises, and this operational familiarity is beneficial.

"Malmstrom's going to win," Trantham said. "We're definitely going to win across the board this year."

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork at various locations throughout the country, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities. More than 450 Airmen from across AFGSC, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country, culminating in a symposium and score posting event at Barksdale Oct. 20-21.

The wing's Global Strike Challenge 2015 kickoff activities will be Aug. 28 at the Grizzly Bend.

From Alpha to Bravo, what it means for Team Malmstrom

by Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

8/3/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont.  -- All across the U.S., Airmen, families, and other base personnel are experiencing an increase of the military bases' force protection conditions.

Force protection conditions range from Normal, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, to Delta. Normal means that there is no threat of terrorist activity. Bravo has a possibility of terrorist activity. And in Delta, a terrorist attack has taken place in the immediate area.

With the increase from Alpha to Bravo, several security measures on base have changed. These changes include, but are not limited to, 100 percent vehicle occupancy ID checks at the gate and random individual vehicle inspections. These changes have not only effected Malmstrom but Department of Defense facilities nationwide.

Base leadership and security forces across the country are stressing the message to the base populace that Force Protection Condition Bravo is in the best interest for the base.

"Increased ID checks are important," said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Chasteen, 341st Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent. "It's important because we need to ensure that there are no unauthorized person or persons gaining access to Malmstrom to keep the base populace safe."

In Bravo, SFS vehicle searchers are looking for anything that is out of the ordinary. The vehicle searches are randomly determined by the time of day.

"We must protect our bases and service members everywhere if we are to be able to protect our country," said Airman 1st Class Jordan Dozier, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron.

Security forces has increased the manpower at the gate to help off-set the traffic. Multiple lanes are also opened up when the line at the gate becomes too long. Part of the SFS Defenders' mission is to move traffic as quickly as possible but still uphold security requirements to allow people on base safely.

"Security Forces is here to protect personnel and property," said Chasteen. "There's nothing personal behind the random checks. Have patience with the Defenders."

The change in the force protection level occurred due to several reported instances of terrorist threats.

"A generalized warning went out across the U.S. of the possibility of higher threats across military organizations or bases," said Chasteen.

There are several precautions Airmen, families and base personnel can take to minimize the likelihood of being attacked.

"Always stay alert. Keep vigilant. Report anything out of the ordinary," said Chasteen. "Force protection is everyone's job, not just Defenders'."

Suspicious activity includes, but is not limited to, individuals loitering outside the gate or taking pictures of the base from outside the fence. Also, off base encounters should be taken seriously as well. Possible offenders try to gain information by stalking or asking invasive questions about personal lives and base activities. If any of these individuals are seen, report it to SFS or the Eagle Eye program through Operations of Special Investigations.

"The enemy is learning to blend in and they're looking like everyone else," said Dozier.

Force protection conditions are put in place to assure the safety of the base populace. It also serves to deter present and future acts of terrorism against Malmstrom's Airmen, friends and families.

"I think in today's world it is important to take extra precautions," said Dozier. "We have families on base that could be vulnerable, and as the Force Protection Condition Bravo change is DOD wide, it is a response to a changing world and an evolving threat."

Security Forces tryouts seeks 'dangerous dozen' to train for Global Strike Challenge

by John Turner
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

8/3/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- For Malmstrom's Defenders, the road to Global Strike Challenge 2015 starts with a three-mile run -- and that's just getting started.

Tryouts for the 341st Missile Wing's Global Strike Challenge security forces team were held July 27-31 at the fitness center. Each day, candidates from the 341st Security Forces Group submitted to almost three grueling hours of push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, calisthenics, sprints and drills.

Of the 16 hopefuls who tried out, 12 will be selected to continue specialized training to hone their combat skills including land navigation, urban operations, weapons employment and close-quarters battle. After six weeks of training and team-building exercises, including two weeks of working on shooting dynamics at Fort Harrison, Montana, the candidates will vote for the six amongst them who will ultimately represent Malmstrom at Global Strike Challenge 2015.

"What's unique about our process for security forces for this competition is we identify people through tryouts," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Richards, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron flight leader and head coach for the wing's Global Strike Challenge forces team. "We compete to train and then we compete to be on the final team. At all times, people are vying for a position and they can never rest because at any time you could be overcome by somebody else."

This process gives trainers a true indication of each candidate's personality, motivation and skill level, Richards said. Under his guidance, last year's team brought home the Charlie Fire Team trophy for Best Security Forces Group and the Best Security Forces M4 Shooter award, overall proof that the system works.

The initial tryouts decide more than each candidate's physical stamina. They also reveal how candidates make decisions under stress, show leadership and followership, and accept opinions from other team members regardless of rank.

At one station during tryouts, candidates had to assemble five weapons laid out on a table and rank them in order of effective range. At another station, candidates memorized the contents of a box to recite back later in the day. Interspersed between were tire flips, bear crawls, flutter kicks, burpees and buddy carries.

"The hardest part is we don't have much time to assess people and I can't assess all the things I'm looking for," Richards said. "We do the best we can to see people's attitudes in stressful situations. Obviously their physical training is a point but as soon as we find out they're fit, it's 'you're fit, we get it.'"

There are specific requirements that will influence the composition of the final team. Two members must be Airmen with less than four years of time in service. No more than two members can be drawn from the wing's Tactical Response Force. The team leader must be a technical sergeant or higher, and can be a commissioned officer. Finally, a new requirement this year is at least one team member must be female.

"Other than that it's kind of fair game," Richards said. "Ranks don't really matter; they can be as high a rank as we want or be the brand new guy right off the boat."

Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding Air Force Global Strike Command personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities. More than 450 Airmen from across AFGSC, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country, culminating in a symposium and score posting event at Barksdale Oct. 20-21.