Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, various Department of the Air Force senior leaders, and a Congressional staff delegation visited Malmstrom Air Force Base, Aug. 28-29.
The purpose of their visit was to better understand the 341st Missile Wing's current mission and operations and to emphasize the strategic importance of ongoing modernization efforts.
For the past 61 years, Malmstrom AFB's Airmen have kept the Minuteman III missile program on alert around the clock, positioning it as the most responsive leg of the nation's nuclear triad alongside bomber and submarine-launched nuclear weapons. The current Minuteman III missiles and support facilities are set to be replaced by the Sentinel program, one of the largest and most complex programs the Air Force has ever undertaken.
"For the first time in our nation's history, we face two major nuclear powers as strategic competitors," Dalton said. "In order to stay ahead, it's critical we take a holistic approach to the Sentinel transition, and this includes supporting the Airmen who operate, defend, and maintain the weapon system."
During their two-day visit, the group received extensive tours and briefings from the 341st Missile Maintenance Group, Missile Security Forces Squadrons and 341st Operations Group, as well as opportunities to connect with members of the local community.
As a show of Malmstrom AFB's most recent modernization efforts, Dalton and the group of distinguished visitors were given a flying tour of several launch facilities in the Air Force's newest helicopter, the MH-139A Grey Wolf - the Air Force's solution to the aging UH-1N Huey helicopter fleet. The group also visited a Missile Alert Facility where they joined a group of Airmen for lunch and toured a Launch Control Center.
"Malmstrom Airmen and the surrounding community play an indispensable role in our nation's nuclear deterrence," Dalton said. "Simultaneously maintaining the Minuteman III while preparing for Sentinel is no easy task, but these Airmen demonstrate every day that they're up for the challenge."
