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.

General Alston returns to Malmstrom for orientation visit as the 20th AF/CC

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The commander of 20th Air Force visited Malmstrom Monday and Tuesday to meet the men and women of Wing One and share his visions for the future of the mission set here.

Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston and Chief Master Sgt. Tammy Elliott, 20th Air Force command chief, spent time visiting various areas around the installation before conducting an all-call prior to their departure.

In describing why he was making this visit, the general said he felt it was important to get a first-hand look early into his command so he could see if there were specific areas he needed to provide assistance to.

"It's more important for me to get to spend some time and see you in your work area and to try and get a connection from you; to get a feel for how things are going," said General Alston. "That way I can learn what I can do personally to help ensure this mission gets done better."

General Alston's tour included meeting with the Tactical Response Force and witnessing a training demonstration at their shoot house. He also spent time with the maintenance personnel before attending a PRP briefing the first day.

The second day he flew with a 40th Helicopter Squadron crew to visit a missile alert facility and witness operations in the field before conducting his all-call at the base theater.

In his abbreviated visit, he was able to cover a lot of territory and meet a good number of people in varied career fields that make up Team Malmstrom.

"Everyone in this room contributes to our deterrent value," he told the standing-room-only crowd. "There are no extra Airmen in the Air Force; there are no extra civilians in the Air Force. If we didn't need you, you wouldn't be here."

He explained his background and what he's been working on at the Pentagon for the past two years that has strengthened his insight on the importance of the Air Force's top priority. He hopes to instill that sense of importance in the Airmen of 20th Air Force.

"Everything you do, no matter where you work in this wing, contributes to our credibility and when you do it with precision and reliability, you are value-added to deterrent," General Alston said. "I'd like to create conditions where you take such personal ownership at the individual level you're so into this mission set that you're trying to find a better way to do it all the time."

This was the first orientation visit by the new 20th AF commander. Prior to visiting Malmstrom, General Alston made stops at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Minot AFB, N.D., and USSTRATCOM.