Team Malmstrom earns high marks during Combat Capability Evaluation

Published Sept. 16, 2009
By Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The members of the 341st Missile Wing were briefed Sept. 3 on the results of a 20th Air Force Combat Capability Evaluation that took place Aug. 24 through Sept. 2.

The purpose of the CCE was to collect data to validate the wing's combat capability.

Malmstrom received an overall rating of satisfactory, which indicates "procedures and activities are carried out in an effective and competent manner and meet mission requirements," according to the rating definition.

"In the old days, this would have been an excellent (rating)," said Col. Gary Pond, 20th Air Force vice commander. "This time, we looked harder and looked deeper. You all did a great job."

During the CCE, the evaluators looked at three functional areas - Operations, Maintenance and Security Forces.

Within each of the functional areas, technical proficiency, training programs, evaluation programs and support were also evaluated to contribute to the functional area's overall rating.

Operations and Maintenance received overall satisfactory ratings and Security Forces received an excellent rating.

In addition, the team conducted a combined denial exercise in the missile complex where a pass or fail rating was issued. Malmstrom passed.

"I want to commend your entire team for their superb professionalism," said Col. Scott Fox, Director of Safety and Nuclear Surety for 20th and the CCE Team Chief. "We saw it across the base ... and throughout the missile complex."

In addition to the CCE, a team from 20th Air Force completed a Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program assessment for the UH-1 aircraft.

This assessment is used to ensure proper maintenance, equipment condition and other command focus areas are in compliance with all guidance and directives, according to Colonel Fox.

Malmstrom received an excellent in the MSEP evaluation.

"This has been a top-notch evaluation. You exceeded your reputation for absolute professionalism," said Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander, to the evaluation team, before they departed.

Once they had left, Colonel Fortney addressed his Team.

"We are going to be and are a better wing," he said. "We all benefited from this CCE."
"Maintenance - you made a statement. Security Forces defenders, you kicked butt and there were pockets of strength in Operations," the commander went on to say. "Because you demonstrate what you do so well every day you were able to impress your evaluators and I commend you for that."

Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, 20th Air Force commander, is also commander of Task Force 214. In that role, he will use the data collected during the CCE to certify the 341st Missile Wing's combat capability to the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Gen. Kevin Chilton.

The last CCE, then know as a Missile Standardization, Evaluation and Testing assessment, was held Feb. 24 - March 3, 2008.

20th Air Force Combat Capability Evaluation Professional Teams

* 341st Operations Support Squadron - Facility Manager/Chef Training; Weapons and Tactics (EWO) Flight; 341st OSS Interim Senior Instructor Crew

* 10th Missile Squadron - Alpha 01 Crew

* 12th Missile Squadron - Golf MAF FM/Chef

* 490th Missile Squadron - November MAF FM/Chef; 490th MS Crew 118; 490th MS Crew 120

* 40th Helicopter Squadron - Crew Blade 05; Crew Blade 23; Crew Blade 44; 40th HS Training Office; Blade Operations Personnel during Denial Exercise

* 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron - EMT Training MG Replacement Team; Plans and Scheduling Team

* 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron - MMT Tool Room; Rivet Mile B-Plug Modification Team; LF H05 R/S Mate Team (MMT 03); E-Comm Training

* 341st Security Forces Group - Tactical Response Force

* 341st Security Forces Squadron - Alpha Flight

* 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron - Spectre 5; Venom 5

20th Air Force Combat Capability Evaluation Professional Performers

* 341st Operations Group - Capt. Darrell Gibson; Tech. Sgt. Jason Halvari

* 341st Operations Support Squadron - Capt. Justin Lewis; 1st Lt. Stephanie Strates; Facility Manager/Chef Training; Weapons and Tactics (EWO) Flight; 341st OSS Interim Senior Instructor Crew

* 10th Missile Squadron - Alpha 01 Crew

* 12th Missile Squadron - 1st Lt. Richard Lavery; Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone; Golf MAF FM/Chef

* 490th Missile Squadron - Staff Sgt. Shawn O'Grady; November MAF FM/Chef; 490th MS Crew 118; 490th MS Crew 120

* 40th Helicopter Squadron - Capt. Jesse Greer; Capt. Joseph Parish; Senior Airman Michael Frank; Crew Blade 05; Crew Blade 23; Crew Blade 44; 40th HS Training Office
Blade Operations Personnel during Denial Exercise

* 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron - 1st Lt. Marcus Wells; Staff Sgt. Christopher Daniels; Staff Sgt. Joshua Smith; EMT Training MG Replacement Team; Plans and Scheduling Team

* 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron - Tech Sgt. Jared Gray; Senior Airman Christian Jackson; Senior Airman Zachary Sexton; MMT Tool Room; Rivet Mile B-Plug Modification Team; LF H05 R/S Mate Team (MMT 03); E-Comm Training

* 341st Security Forces Group - Staff Sgt. Derrik Morris; Tactical Response Force

* 341st Security Forces Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Joseph Crow; Alpha Flight

* 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron - 2nd Lt. Jonathan Scott; Tech. Sgt. Howard Smith; Senior Airman Raymond Perry

* 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron - 1st Lt. Cory Knop; Spectre 5; Venom 5

* 341st Security Support Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Aaron Frederick; Staff Sgt. Matthew Newman; Staff Sgt. Blake Roberts; Staff Sgt. Darren Wiseman; Staff Sgt. Justin Wood

* 341st Missile Wing CCE Support Team - Capt. Steve Ford; 2nd Lt. Mauri Slater;
Master Sgt. Stephanie Gill; Tech. Sgt. Marcus McDonald; Staff Sgt. Dallas Cronin; Senior Airman Nathan Bentley; Airman 1st Class Michael Williams; Airman 1st Class Ashley Jasmin-Bell; Airman 1st Class Raymond Arambulo; Airman 1st Class Kevin Gleason; Airman 1st Class Ryan Carr; Mr. Jerry Kain; Mr. Jerry Chandler; Mr. John Turner; Mrs. Julie Reaser; Mrs. Corinna Dahlin