MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE & CENTRAL MONTANA: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE &CENTRAL MONTANA: PARTNERS IN ONE COMMUNITY Malmstrom Air Force Base’s (AFB) very existence responsible for maintaining and operating Minuteman III traces back to strong community support. In 1939, intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 341 MW staff and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce five groups carry out this mission by operating missile appealed to the two U.S. senators from Montana facilities distributed across Malmstrom AFB’s vast missile to consider developing a military base near Great field. These specially trained Airmen provide security and Falls. Their advocacy resulted in the opening of maintenance for facilities and equipment on the base and Great Falls Army Air Base in 1942. In 1947, the throughout the missile field. Their essential day-to-day base was assigned to the Air Force and renamed mission support activities keep the largest intercontinental Great Falls Air Force Base. As the base’s mission ballistic missile complex in the world running at its best. and size evolved over the following decades, ECONOMY so too did the community outside its gates. Yet ECONOMIC IMPACT the community’s support of Malmstrom AFB has Malmstrom AFB remained constant. contributes more than $360 million Indirect to the local Annual This Partners in One Community brochure was Expenditures Jobs developed as a part of a 2015 encroachment economy each 23% 18% management study that considered areas of year. The military shared interest between the base, surrounding payroll of the more than 3,300 Air Federal & communities, and the missile field counties. This Other Civilian document highlights actions that the base and Force personnel Payroll 12% assigned to the Military the community can take to enhance community Payroll 47% sustainability while preserving the mission of base, combined Malmstrom AFB. with the salaries of the approximately 800 civilian Since its inception in 1939, Malmstrom Air Force COMMUNITY Total Estimated Annual Economic and contractor Base has flourished with the enduring support Impact: $367.39 Million Located in Cascade County and bordered by Great Falls employees, injects of Great Falls and the counties of north central to the west, Malmstrom AFB recognizes and appreciates “ an estimated Source: Malmstrom AFB Economic Impact, 2014 Montana. The base has evolved from a small Army the enduring support of Great Falls and the seven counties $215,731,880 into base committed to helping our Allies sustain air that host the base and its missile facilities. Malmstrom AFB the economy. Additionally, federal funding contributes to service members and their families volunteer hundreds the maintenance of more than 500 miles of access roads support in World War II to a critical element of the Chief Master Sergeant Allen Markle, of hours each year to numerous community outreach 341st Missile Security Forces across the missile field. These access roads often support and support programs. Great Falls and the missile field nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence capability. Squadron security forces manager, energy and community development independent of their That evolution and our continued mission success receives a box of Girl Scout cookies counties have a history of supporting the military and use by the base, further contributing to quality of life, from scouts from troops 3030, continue to demonstrate that support in many ways. The economic growth, and expansion of sustainable energy simply aren’t possible without the 4,000 Airmen 3218, and 3500. Girl Scouts of efforts of the Great Falls Military Affairs Committee and Montana and Wyoming Council throughout the region. that execute the mission every day and the leaders encourage scouts to give local community organizations earned them the Zachary mutually supportive relationship we have with back to the community every year. and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Humanitarian Service ENVIRONMENT the surrounding community. Award in 2001. This national award recognizes the The Malmstrom AFB missile field, which comprises more than contributions of individuals and organizations to the 13,800 square miles, overlaps the existing habitat range of - John T. Wilcox, Colonel, USAF, support and welfare of members of the United States species of concern, including the greater sage-grouse and Armed Forces and their families. Commander, 341st Missile Wing the Canada lynx. Sage brush and prairie pothole ecoregions ” throughout the missile field provide habitat to a variety of MISSION species and contribute valuable ecosystem services to the Malmstrom AFB, home of the 341st Missile Wing region. The Missouri River, a primary source of drinking water (341 MW), supports national security and strategic and major recreational amenity, flows just north of the base deterrence by sustaining nuclear force capabilities and and through the missile field. The base’s natural resources readiness. The 341 MW, made up of more than 4,100 personnel have dedicated significant manpower and resources people, including approximately 3,300 active-duty and to environmental stewardship and cooperative endeavors to 800 civilian personnel, is one of three Air Force wings protect species and habitat found in the region. 1 MALMSTROM AFB AND THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COLLABORATION Base personnel and their families enjoy all that the region has to offer in business and recreational opportunities. They also volunteer with numerous GIANT SPRINGS community organizations. The community says “thank you” by making Just north of Malmstrom AFB lies a historic natural gem, Giant Springs Malmstrom AFB personnel feel welcome, and through groups like the State Park. Lewis and Clark documented Giant Springs in 1805. Today Great Falls Military Affairs Committee within the city’s Chamber of Commerce. it is recognized as one of the largest freshwater springs in the country. The Military Affairs Committee and similar community organizations Benton Lake More than 250,000 people visit the springs each year to enjoy the natural throughout the region promote support for the military throughout the year features, explore the fish hatchery, and watch the wide variety of bird by hosting appreciation events, luncheons, and golf outings, among other species in the area. The spring discharges nearly 156 million gallons of supportive endeavors. water into the Missouri River daily. Volunteers help build a fence at the edge of the parking lot at Pow Wow Park as one of Malmstrom AFB’s Members of the Great Falls Area Chamber of projects in support Commerce Military Affairs Committee cook the Giant Springs – 87Great Falls, Montana photo used under of National Public food served during the Montana Air National Guard creative commons license. Photo by Tim Evanson Lands Day. Family Day picnic. LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST Stretching across 13 counties and portions of 7 mountain ranges, the Lewis and Clark National Forest plays a role in the mission of Malmstrom AFB. Some missile facilities sit at the edge of, or just inside, the forest, and search-and-rescue training is conducted in the vicinity of forest lands. Visitors come from across the country to enjoy the forest’s public recreation opportunities, which include hiking, horseback riding, camping, and skiing. Montana Governor Steve Bullock (left) cuts a ribbon Missouri River after a sign representing Malmstrom AFB and Montana Key Air National Guard was mounted at the Great Falls International Airport. The sign was donated by the Montana Protected Land Defense Alliance and the Military Affairs Committee of the 15 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Malmstrom AFB 80 Great Giant Springs State Park Falls 15 87 Belt 81 Malmstrom AFB Great Falls Stanford Great Falls o 87 International Great Falls International Airport Lewistown Airport hosts the 120th Airlift Wing, a 87 Lewis and Clark 89 Montana Air National Guard unit, National Forest and it serves seven commercial airlines. Approximately 130 flights Key Neihart depart the airport daily. Protected Land 2 3 Malmstrom Air Force Base U.S. Highway o Refueling Airport February 2015 City of Great Falls Local Highway ! Ground Training Area Source: Malmstrom, ESRI Data & Maps 2013 Fish and Wildlife Parks Interstate Highway Great Falls University US Highway 0 1 2 Miles THE MALMSTROM AFB MISSION Malmstrom AFB, then known as Great Falls Army Air Base, opened its gates in 1942 when the Army’s 7th Ferrying Group began using it to establish an air route between Great Falls and Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of the United States Lend- MISSILE FIELD Lease Program. Through this program, the United States provided essential The Malmstrom AFB missile field comprises support to Allies battling German forces in World War II. 165 facilities and support infrastructure dispersed Today, the mission of the 341st Missile Wing (341 MW) is “to defend America throughout portions of seven counties in north- with safe, secure, effective nuclear forces and combat-ready Airmen.” To do this, central Montana. Maintenance crews, security forces, the 341 MW maintains and operates the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic Upper Missouri and missileers, who are specially trained Airmen tasked with operating and managing nuclear missile missile and is part of Air Force Global Strike Command. The nuclear capabilities 15 River Breaks secured and operated at Malmstrom AFB by the 341 MW serve a key role in the 87 National systems, navigate the missile field via helicopter and nation’s broader strategic deterrence capability.