Gen. Kowalski Visit

341st Missile Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent and Airman 1st Class Kimbra Knapp listen for Lt. Gen. James Kowalski's next remarks during an Airman's breakfast at the Elkhorn Diner April 26. Air Force Global Strike Command's top leader was at Malmstrom April 25-27 for an orientation tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Gen. Kowalski Visit

Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, and his wife, Julie, operate the console in the missile procedures trainer April 27 under the guidance of 1Lts. Stephanie Stratus and Jen Friedel while 341st Operations Group commander Col. Ed Rimback and 341st Missile Wing Commander Brig. Gen. (Sel) Anthony Cotton, look on. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Gen. Kowalski Visit

One of the highlights of Lt. Gen. Kowalski's visit to Malmstrom included witnessing the Tactical Response Force on a real-world mission April 26. Here, the commander meets some of those team members, (left to right) Staff Sgt. Frederick Brown; Senior Airman Nicholas Burkey and Airman 1st Class Thomas Diblasio. In the rear is Senior Airman Justin Cora. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Wing One hosts 3-star commander

Published May 4, 2011
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and his spouse recently visited the 341st Missile Wing to observe Team Malmstrom's nuclear deterrence mission.

A highlight of the visit saw Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski flying in a UH-1N helicopter, above a convoy mission after meeting security forces and maintenance Airmen at the Tactical Response Force 24-hour alert facility.

The general spent the rest of his stay April 25-27 crisscrossing the installation to meet with Airmen and civic leaders, while Mrs. Julie Kowalski did the same, focusing her attention on Airmen and family issues.

In addition to spending time at workcenters meeting Airmen, General Kowalski spoke with 18 junior Airmen over breakfast at the Elkhorn Diner Tuesday and also met separately with a select group of noncommissioned officers during his visit.

"I've been in the Air Force since 1980, and I don't think I have ever seen a more dynamic time than what we are experiencing right now, in terms of what we have going on in the global security environment," General Kowalski told Airmen, referring to recent unrest in the Middle East, natural disasters in Japan and other world events.

"All of that change and uncertainty makes it that much more important to have the nuclear deterrent capability Malmstrom provides," he said.

General Kowalski's visit to the Tactical Response Force facility validated the importance of the TRF's role in the nuclear enterprise, according to the Security Forces Group superintendent, Senior Master Sgt. Derick Stepp.

"Lt. Gen. Kowalski provided us with an opportunity to show the importance of a 24-hour operation with regard to the security of our Air Force's most powerful weapons," the sergeant said.

General and Mrs. Kowalski also spent time with instructors in a missile procedures trainer to become familiar with alert operations. In addition, they visited the Malmstrom Museum, the medical treatment facility, a dormitory under renovation and several new on-base housing units.

Wednesday the general joined missileers preparing to pull alert at a pre-departure briefing, after he started the day having breakfast with wing chief master sergeants at Aces High Bowling Center.

"It is very important that we get the opportunity to showcase to senior leadership the dedicated professionalism of our operator, maintainer, defender and support units who work 24/7 to provide this nuclear deterrent mission," said Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st MW commander. "I know Lt. Gen. Kowalski and Mrs. Kowalski walked away from Wing One confident in our abilities to take care of our mission and our people."