Operation Holiday Cheer

Master Sgt. Jason Hill, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant and Master Sgt. Matthew Brenholt, 341st Medical Group first sergeant, fill holiday bags destined for the dormitories with donated treats Dec. 15 at the chapel annex. Delivering gooodie bags to the single Airmen on base has become an annual holiday tradition for the first sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Operation Holiday Cheer

Senior Airman Jennilyn Hisola, a traffic manangement journeyman with the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron, was the grand prize winner of a $1,500 travel gift certificate during the Operation Holiday Cheer wrap-up party Dec. 8. Pictured with her are, from left to right, Senior Master Sgt. Tom Johnson, 341st Missile Security Forces Squaron first sergeant; Col. Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing commander; Tech. Sgt. Donnie Parish, 341st Force Support Squadron food service NCOIC; Master Sgt. Shane Matt , 341st Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant; Master Sgt. Jason Hill, 341st LRS first sergeant; Master Sgt. Robert Baker, 341st Security Forces Squadron first sergeant; Master Sgt. Matthew Brenholt, 341st Medical Group frist sergeant; and Master Sgt. Sheila Lawson, 341st FSS first sergeant and this year's organizer of Operation Holiday Cheer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Operation Holiday Cheer

Free food was also featured at the Operation Holiday Cheer wrap-up party Dec. 8 at the Grizzly Bend Club. Pictured from left to right enjoying pizza and wings are Airmen 1st Class Toshika Morrison, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron; Diamond Brooks, 341st Medical Operations Squadron; and Aaron Chalmers, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Malmstrom first sergeants organize successful Operation Holiday Cheer

Published Dec. 17, 2010
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Malmstrom first sergeants came together to organize another five-week campaign of fun events for Air Force Global Strike Command team members stationed here that made up this year's Operation Holiday Cheer program. Introduced last year and drawing huge numbers of participants, this year's events drew even bigger crowds.

"This year we opened it up to all ID card holders 18 years old and older," said Master Sgt. Sheila Lawson, 341st Force Support Squadron first sergeant and organizer of this year's campaign. "Because of that, we saw much more participation."

Last year's event was for active-duty Airmen only.

For all of the events, cash prizes were awarded to the top three finishers with first place receiving $300, second place receiving $200 and third place receiving $100. Anyone who participated in any of the events also had their name entered for a chance to win the grand prize of a $1,500 travel voucher.

To kick if off, a dodgeball tournament was held Nov. 5 at the Fitness Center. The 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron "Team Predator" was the victor.

The next event was a 9-pin no-tap bowling tournament, where "Team Hewitt," a mixture of military and civilian bowlers, captured the crown and the first place cash Nov. 12.
Three-on-three basketball came next and "Team Maintenance" outscored the field to win the event held Nov. 19.

Finally, a scavenger hunt was held the weekend of Dec. 3-5. The team consisting of Staff Sgt. Micael Klos and his wife, Valerie, along with 2nd Lt. Stephen Meyer and his wife, Jolleen, turned out to be the best hunters in the mix.

To bring all the competitors from all the events together, as well as all the other members of Team Malmstrom, a wrap-up party was held Dec. 8 at the Grizzly Bend Club. Door prizes were awarded throughout the event which culminated with the awarding of the top three prizes.

Capt. Wade Wilmoth was chosen the winner of an X-Box gaming system; Carolyn Dowdy took home a 32-inch flatscreen television and the grand-prize winner was Senior Airman Jennilyn Hisola.

"It is important for us to show how much we appreciate all the hard work that goes into keeping our mission at its best and that includes everyone - Airmen, civilians and contractors," Sergeant Lawson said. "Everyone plays an integral role and this is just a fun way to say thank you and kick off the holiday season."

Sergeant Lawson said much of the success of the program is due to the generosity of the sponsors. This year, they got support from 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union, Bison Ford, Best Western Heritage Inn, Malmstrom Chief's Group, City Motors, DUI Task Force, Eagle Beverages, McKenzie River Pizza, Sam's club, Schulte's, Steve's Sports Center and Walmart; as well as the 341st Force Support Squadron.

1st Liberty continued their support of Malmstrom by donating items to include in the holiday bags that were packed Dec. 15 for the dormitory residents and 24-hour work centers. Members of the Malmstrom Spouse's Club baked the cookies, and the first sergeants and volunteers from the Retiree's Council helped prepare the bags for delivery.

Later that evening, 72 spouses along with 126 children were treated to a spaghetti dinner in their honor, hosted by the first sergeants at the chapel annex. It included a visit from Santa and door prizes.

"I am really proud of the first sergeants we have at Malmstrom for all their above-and-beyond support of our Airmen and their families," said Chief Master Sgt. Cari Kent, 341st Missile Wing command chief. "They are a true example of how teamwork turns into a success story."