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Chaplains building connections

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom chaplains strive to continuously visit the missile cops, chefs, facility managers and capsule crews who post out to the missile alert facility.

“Our goal is to hit all 15 MAF’s once a month,” said Capt. Deborah Hughley, 341st Missile Wing chaplain. “Once a month I spend a night at a different MAF.”

Hughley says, visiting the MAF’s is an awesome opportunity and she loves it.

“(Our presence) just lets them know we care and are thinking about them,” Hughley said.

According to Senior Airman Ashley Denson, 341st Force Support Squadron missile chef, it is always nice when the chaplains visit because it breaks up the monotony of posting out.

“Sometimes when we are out here, we feel detached from the outside world,” Denson said. “I am not a religious person, and have never feared talking to a chaplain. When I do talk to a chaplain, religion is not mentioned.”

According to Hughley, if someone just needs a word of encouragement, then I can give that.

“If the subject goes to religion, then I will talk about God,” Hughley said. “The main thing is letting them know someone cares.”

The chaplains strive to build connections and boost the morale of Airmen not only at MAF’s, but all Airmen across the base.

“The chaplains are a neutral party I can go and vent to about different things happening in my life,” Denson said. “Building that connection lets me know I can go back and talk to them, because they know what goes on out here. They’re here for us.”