MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Once again, Malmstrom Air Force Base made history during Global Strike Challenge 2023 by taking home the Blanchard trophy, naming them ‘best overall missile wing’ for the fifth contest in a row.
The win, secured by a 10-point difference, was a major team effort.
Global Strike Challenge is the world’s premier bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, helicopter operations and security forces competition. Malmstrom competed against hundreds of other participants who represented Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.
“I could not be prouder of the work that the Airmen at Wing One do on a daily basis,” said Col. Barry E. Little, 341st Missile Wing commander. “Our people are absolutely our most valuable weapon system. They continue to make the American public proud, and make our adversaries think twice. This award proves their dedication to nuclear deterrence does not go unrecognized.”
Along with the Blanchard trophy, Malmstrom brought home the following awards:
Neary Trophy, awarded to the top Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) crew– won by the 12th Missile Squadron.
Charlie Fire Team Trophy, awarded to the best Security Forces team – won by the 341st Security Forces Group.
Team and Individual Trophies:
Best Electro Mechanical Team
Best ICBM Facilities Maintenance Team
Best ICBM Operations Rapid Adaptation
Best Convoy and Aerial Interdiction
Best Sensor Employment
Best Security Forces Mental and Physical (MAP) Challenge
Best Security Forces Tactics Trophy
Best Security Forces Rapid Adaptation
Congratulations to all competitors, listed below:
341st Operations Group:
Trainers:
Capt Jacob Spatz (490 MS)
Capt Sarah Engram (341 OSS)
Competitors:
Lt Hannah Sullivan (10 MS)
Lt Jaydon Dobrow (10 MS)
Lt Nicole Wisniewski (12 MS)
Lt Benjamin Nelson (12 MS)
Lt Andrew Carroll (490 MS)
Lt Julia Burnes (490 MS)
Lt Micaela Bowen (490 MS)
Lt Jesse Johnson (12th MS)
341st Maintenance Group:
EMT:
Trainer:
TSgt Anthony Lanham
Competitors:
SrA Brandon Meeker
SrA Noah Merkel
SrA Colton Digiuseppe
A1C Nicolas Tracy
FMT:
Trainers:
TSgt Christian Jackson
SSgt William Bragg
Competitors:
SrA Nathan Baer
A1C Michael Chavez
SrA Joshua Girot
MHT:
Trainer:
TSgt Justin Latham
Competitors:
SSgt Ryan Page
SrA Cory Morris
A1C Cody Qualls
A1C Gavin Tobias
MCOM:
Trainer:
SSgt Nicholas Lovato
Competitors:
SrA Edward Ficarra
A1C Mason Targosz
341st Security Forces Group:
Trainers:
MSgt Christopher Zavala
SSgt Patrick Wiedrich
Competitors:
TSgt Zachary Hunt
(S)Sgt Lee Laudolff
A1C Caleb Wells
SrA Benjamin Kish
SrA Kaylee Wilson
A1C Annalise Rey
40 Helicopter Squadron:
Competitors:
Capt Nicholas Weber
1Lt Alina Hake Vanecek
SrA Sandon Stepp
A1C Owen Anderson
341st Munitions Squadron
Competitors:
SrA Corbin Davis
SrA Caleb Lamb
A1C Tristen Baum
A1C Thayer Krantz
TSgt Andrew Peloquin