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Game of Trophies

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Air Force Global Strike Command set the board for the Global Strike Challenge. The nuclear deterrence bases moved the pieces. The game of trophies was played. When you play the game of trophies, you either win or you lose, and Malmstrom emerged victorious.

Malmstrom held a trophy parade Dec. 11 to honor the Airmen who competed in the challenges and won by exemplifying dedication to mission excellence and demonstrating knowledge above their competition.

"Global Strike Challenge is a competition meant to showcase the best talent, competing to show who's the best of the best," said Maj. Justin Secrest, 341st Security Forces Group deputy commander and wing point of contact for Global Strike Challenge 2015. "We're having the trophy (parade) because we want people to understand the dedication that went into winning."

Malmstrom competed against other AFGSC bases in the Global Strike Challenge for the opportunity to take home awards and trophies.

"It's a team effort from every aspect of the base," said Secrest. "It gives a huge sense of pride to be in it and to win it for the whole wing, not just the participants."

This year, Malmstrom won several trophies and awards, including the Blackburn Trophy, the Klotz Trophy and the Blanchard Trophy, just to name a few.

The coveted Blanchard Trophy, awarded to the missile wing with the overall best ICBM operations, ICBM maintenance, security forces and helicopter operations, will make Malmstrom its home throughout the next year until Global Strike Challenge 2016, when the game of trophies will be played again.

According to Secrest, the level of dedication at the leadership level and the team level was the key to Malmstrom claiming victory in many of this year's challenges.

"We have the best in the career field," said 1st Lt. Jeff Cumber, 341st Operations Support Squadron weapons and tactics instructor, and ICBM operations commander in charge of the 341st Operations Group teams in the AFGSC Challenge. "Global Strike Challenge shows that people are committed to the career field."

This year's awards and trophies put the 341st Missile Wing on the Global Strike Challenge throne. The Airmen who competed in Global Strike Challenge 2015 showed they will never forget the 341st MW ICBM mission is our strength: conducting 24/7 safe, secure and effective operations, as well as executing precision combat capability with a focus on modernization, Airmen, families and excellence.

Malmstrom, the trophies are coming.