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Malmstrom vice wing commander steps up to commander role

  • Published
  • By By Valerie Mullett and 1st Lt. Marshel Slater
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Col. Anthony Cotton became the 51st commander of the 341st Missile Wing May 26, accepting the guidon and his new responsibilities from the 20th Air Force commander.

Colonel Cotton arrived at Malmstrom in July 2009 to be the 341st MW vice commander, returning to a northern tier base for the first time since his first assignment. He started his career in 1986 at Minot AFB, N.D., where he served for five years in a variety of missileer roles.

"This is truly an exciting yet humbling day for me and my family," said Colonel Cotton. "I am honored and privileged to take command of this great wing."

Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, 20th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.

"Today we will acknowledge the achievements of the 341st MW under the able and confident leadership of Col. Michael Fortney," said General Burg, "and we will also recognize the awesome responsibilities to be assumed by our new commander, Col. Anthony Cotton."

General Burg praised Colonel Fortney's capabilities and performance as a commander, and explained that he has been given the chance to excel, once again, as the Chief, Nuclear Operations Division, USSTRATOM-CO HQ, at Offutt AFB, Neb.

During the ceremony, General Burg also presented Colonel Fortney with the Legion of Merit, first oak leaf cluster, for his exceptional accomplishments while commander of the 341st MW. The citation noted multiple awards he led the wing in winning during his two-year assignment.

In General Burg's closing statements he expressed his unwavering confidence in Colonel Cotton's ability to lead. Following the story of how Colonel Cotton came to Malmstrom, General Burg stated, "Colonel Cotton could not be better prepared to take command of this wing."

The ceremony continued with Colonel Fortney giving the 341st Missile Wing one final salute, and relinquishing command for Colonel Cotton to assume.

"To the men and women of Malmstrom Air Force Base, history made us Wing One. Your dedication, professionalism and ability to overcome difficult challenges makes us number one," Colonel Cotton said in his first address as wing commander. "I am proud to be at the helm of the 341st, America's first ICBM wing, and I am proud to serve with an incredible group of Airmen and civilians who will be ready to take this wing to the next level."

Colonel Cotton was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1986. He started his career as a missile officer and has assumed various positions. He has also served as the chief of protocol while assigned to 20th AF and as an executive officer to the commander, 14th AF. As commander, 3rd Space Launch Squadron, he was responsible for the launch operations of the Atlas II AS medium and Titan-IVB heavy launch vehicles. The colonel has also served as a deputy operations group commander, and as the deputy director, secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group. Additionally, he was the senior military assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence before accepting his assignment to Malmstrom in 2009.