An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Malmstrom Global Strike Challenge winners announced

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom Airmen celebrated their victories Nov. 18 during a welcome home ceremony at the Grizzly Bend Club following their trip to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., for the score posting and awards ceremony for the inaugural Global Strike Challenge.

The missileers, maintainers and defenders from Wing One were among 400 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen selected to compete from Malmstrom and its two sister ICBM bases; Minot AFB, N.D.; and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. Other competitors there were bomber aircrews, maintainers and defenders from Whiteman AFB, Mo.; Minot; Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; and Barksdale AFB.

The Operations Group claimed victory as having the best ICBM Emergency War Order Crew who earned the Neary Trophy, thanks to the keen skills of Capt. Kevin Hullihan and 1st Lt. Brian Marlow, 490th Missile Squadron.

Isolated underground in pale green launch control centers, missile combat crewmembers stand ready to respond to emergency war orders and continually coordinate missile maintenance and security within Malmstrom's three missile squadrons around the clock, 365 days a year.

Two of the four Maintenance Group teams were recognized for excellence.

The Facilities Maintenance Team, whose Airmen are charged with maintaining the support equipment at missile alert facilities, such as refrigeration systems, back-up power generators, ground water removal systems and diesel fuel tanks, were recognized as the best FMT Team. Team members include Staff Sgt. Kyle Babbert, Senior Airmen Jonathon Branch and Andrew Hinson.

The Missile Handling Team, whose Airmen replace missile components to upgrade existing systems or replace malfunctioning components including downstage rocket motors, propulsion system rocket engines, missile guidance sets and re-entry systems, also won for being the best. Team members include Staff Sgt. MarKus Maar, Senior Airmen Brad Christensen and Brent Schiermann, and Airman 1st Class Matthew St. Clair.

Malmstrom's defenders of the Security Forces Group also garnered two "best of" awards. The best Security Forces Endurance Trophy winners included team members 1st Lt. William Glojek, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Tuckey, Senior Airmen Dustin Taylor, Hubert Johns III, and Airmen 1st Class Michael Travis, Robert Petruccello, Aaron Simpson, Oscar D'Lassalas and Alan Crawford. Sergeant Tuckey and Airman Taylor were also named the best M240B machine gun team.

Malmstrom is home to the largest security forces group in the Air Force. In addition to securing the base, these Airmen secure launch facilities throughout a "flightline" that encompasses 13,800 square miles, 150 LFs and 15 MAFs.

The first competition to test the mettle of missileers, maintainers and security forces Airmen was held in 1967 by Strategic Air Command.

Forty-three years later, the drive to excel and be the best at providing the American people a safe, secure and reliable nuclear deterrent hasn't changed.