Code change by the numbers proves unity of Wing One

  • Published
  • By John Turner
  • 341 Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Missile Wing successfully completed its codes change program July 25, updating all 150 launch facilities and 15 launch control centers assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. This effort ensures Malmstrom's arsenal of Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles remain a safe, secure and effective strategic deterrent for America.

Changing the codes at missile sites protects the integrity of the information passed between them. In layman's terms, it is comparable to using encryption devices on computer networks that share sensitive data. Occasionally, the encryption at both ends must be changed to preserve the security of the transmissions between the missiles and the combat crews.

"Code change is one of our largest operations," Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st MW commander, said. "It requires detailed coordination between the wing's five groups, U.S. Strategic Command and 20th Air Force. We start planning for code change about eight months out to ensure a safe, secure and effective operation."

The 12th Missile Squadron's 50 LFs and five LCCs were the first to be updated and received the new codes in early May. The process continued with the 490th MS and concluded with the 10th MS.

Code change took approximately five days for each squadron and required additional missile maintenance, security, operations and support personnel teams to live in the missile field for up to a week at a time. Approximately 125 maintenance and additional security personnel lived in the field during each week of code change operations. Missile combat crews and support personnel were also increased at affected missile alert facilities. This meant more than 150 beds had to be coordinated to accommodate the increased number of people remaining overnight in the missile complex.

"This is our busiest peace-time operation of the year," Lt. Col. Jeff Johnson, 341st Operations Group deputy commander, said. "We concentrate on coordination in four areas--operations, maintenance, security and mission support. All have to be optimum to make this work."

The 341st Operations Support Squadron received the new codes from USSTRATCOM several weeks in advance and prepared them for distribution to the field, Lt. Col. Justin Mulkey, 341st OSS commander, said. The squadron also gave specialized training to the combat crews who would be on alert during the change, including time in the Missiles Procedures Trainer to practice for specific statuses and situations they could expect to see. Finally, the 341st OSS Wing Codes section was on call 24/7 as a support agency during each week the codes were being changed in the field.

"Our guys put in all this extra work to ensure a wing-wide successful code change," Mulkey said. "They've done an outstanding job."

After the codes were distributed to the field, missile combat crews installed the codes in their respective LCCs and missile maintainers installed new codes at each LF.

The Maintenance Operations Squadron was responsible for planning and coordinating all maintenance actions, plus coordinating and ensuring proper security for each day of code change, Lt. Col. John Briner, 341st MOS commander, said.

"(Our) Wing Plans and Scheduling shop worked closely with other base agencies to ensure that no stone was left unturned and that both the coding operations and unscheduled priority maintenance happened in a correct and timely manner," Briner said.

The 341st MOS Missile Maintenance Operations Center was responsible for controlling and monitoring all code change activities and gave frequent updates to the wing and higher headquarters, Briner said.

"The MMOC must be able to adapt to changes and rapidly respond to problems that arise, and execute solutions throughout the event," Briner said.

Additionally, the 341st MOS provided additional manpower to ensure adequate qualified maintenance technicians were available for use in any capacity needed during code change. The squadron also planned and coordinated other maintenance requirements at code change sites that could be accomplished simultaneous to code change.

Teams from the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron completed the codes changes at an average of 10 sites a day. The work at each site lasted approximately 12 hours. Various teams also performed periodic maintenance and requisite inspections while on the sites, making efficient use of their time and resources.

For the 341st MMXS Electromechanical Team shop--the organization directly responsible for installing the new codes at each launch site--codes change is a 'big deal,' said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Taylor, EMT task supervisor.

"It's the three weeks out of the year we run the show," he said. "This is where we earn our paycheck."

Five EMT teams were active in the field during the change and a sixth team was on stand-by, he said.

"Leadership expects this to be done in a timely fashion," Taylor said. "It's not an area where we can make mistakes. Perfection is the standard."

The maintenance operations were guarded by the 341st Security Forces Group. Security personnel were drawn from the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron, 341st MSFS and the group's Tactical Response Force.

Tech. Sgt. Shaun Russell, 741st MSFS, the group's point of contact for all security coordination, estimates that he personally dedicated at least 160 hours to ensure that all the logistics of field postings were worked out, and that all security was in accordance with operating instructions and without deviations.

During the code change operations, the Flight Security Controllers at each affected missile alert facility were busier than during normal duty operations. The FSCs, all assigned to the 341st MSFS, monitor the status of all maintenance and security teams in their flight area, control access to MAFs and their 10 corresponding LFs, and keep a record of all daily activities.

An additional missile combat crew was on-hand at each MAF as it went through its code change process. This helped ease the pressure on the crew that was on duty in the LCC during the change, but it was also valuable continuity training for the second crew. Each combat crew works a 12-hour shift and has many code change tasks to perform around the clock.

"This is such an important operation that we try to give our new folks some experience to ensure a successful operation the next time code change is performed," said Johnson.
Additionally, extra missile field chefs from the 341st Force Support Squadron were posted to the MAFs to meet the elevated demand for meals.

"I'm extremely proud of the entire Wing One Team," Wilcox said. "Everyone came together to ensure a safe and secure code change, ensuring the United States a continued effective nuclear deterrent. Everyone at Malmstrom takes this mission seriously, and we proved it again by successfully completing this operation. The American people should be proud of our ICBM force."

The successful completion of code change is a testament to the teamwork of the 341st MW, and to the long hours its people dedicate to the mission every day. It also reaffirms the wing's readiness and ability to defend America and her allies.