Under Secretary visits Malmstrom

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. - Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton leads the audience in a round of applause Aug. 26 after she presented Senior Airman Kyle Long and Staff Sgt. Christopher Zachary, both from the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron, with an Airman's Medal. The Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen were recognized for their heroic efforts and role in saving an accident victim from a burning vehicle. (U.S.Air Force photo/Beau Wade)

Under secretary gets close-up look at nuclear enterprise

Published Sept. 2, 2010
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The under secretary of the Air Force made her second visit to an Air Force Global Strike Command wing Aug. 26 when she received a firsthand view of the ICBM nuclear deterrence and global strike mission at the 341st Missile Wing here.

The Hon. Erin C. Conaton first visited AFGSC Headquarters in conjunction with a tour of Barksdale's 2d Bomb Wing in May, less than three months after being confirmed to her position, and will head to Whiteman Air Force Base later this week to see the contributions AFGSC bases are making toward strengthening the nuclear enterprise.

"I want to really say thank you to every person in this room, every person associated with this mission," Secretary Conaton said at the all-call during her visit to Malmstrom. "It truly is one of the most important our Airmen perform."

Secretary Conaton also highlighted the base's energy efficiency initiatives. Her visit to the base immediately followed her attendance at a three-day Nevada Forum in Las Vegas to brainstorm ideal ways to blend military missions with renewable energy projects.

"One thing I was thrilled to see here is that you all have done a great job decreasing the amount of energy you use on the installation," she said. "Every dollar the Air Force is not spending on electricity or fuel is another dollar that can be invested in other programs."

During her visits to AFGSC wings, the under secretary met with Airmen, toured missile facilities and static displays of aircraft, visited quality of life assets such as Child Development Centers and base housing, and held all-calls in order to gain a better understanding of the mission and to discuss issues impacting Airmen.

Similar to the first two wing visits, Secretary Conaton will tour a B-2 static, new base housing, and a weapons load trainer while at Whiteman. She will also meet with the Airmen of the 509th Bomb Wing as well as local civic leaders.