Guarding the past

Bob Stillwell, 341st Communications Squadron contracted graphic artist, gets help from his grandson Logan, while painting a mural for the 341st Security Forces Group headquarters. Mr. Stillwell volunteered more than 230 hours of his off-duty time to paint the mural in honor of the security forces career field. His son Bobby flew in from Washington to help paint the background and HUMVEE, while Logan, who is an aspiring artist, traveled down to Malmstrom from Conrad, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Guarding the past

Bobby Stillwell paints a HUMVEE on the wall of the 341st Security Forces Group headquarters during one of his visits to Malmstrom from Wenatchee, Wash. He is the son of Bob Stillwell, 341st Communications Squadron contracted graphic artist, who volunteered more than 230 hours painting a security forces-themed mural. The Stillwell's began painting the mural in August 2007 and plan to continue producing more murals throughout 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Guarding the past

Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Robey and Airman Aaron Hollins, both 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron security escort team leaders, walk the halls of the refurbished 341st Security Forces Group headquarters Feb. 5. Located in the basement of the wing headquarters building, the 341st SFG commander and superintendent wanted to boost morale and show their respect for security forces heritage. A mural was painted at the entrance, historical uniforms and patches were put on display and more than 50 historical and current security forces photographs fan-out throughout the hallways highlighting the duties of past and present security forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Eydie Sakura)

Guarding the past

This uniform worn by security forces Airmen throughout the 1980s is part of a larger military police uniform heritage display in the 341st Security Forces Group headquarters in building 500. A vast mural was painted at the entryway; the hallways display posters and images of the past and present; and a uniform display was donated by Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Hanes, 341st Operations Group interim superintendent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Eydie Sakura)

Guarding the past

This display case showcases the heritage of the security forces uniforms from the World War II era; the air police uniforms worn 1965 to 1978; and the green fatigues worn throughout the '80s. In an effort to preserve military police history, the 341st Security Forces Group headquarters in building 500 went through a remodel. A vast mural was painted at the entryway; the hallways display posters and images of the past and present; and a uniform display was donated by Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Hanes, 341st Operations Group interim superintendent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Eydie Sakura)

341st SFG headquarters showcases new look

Published Feb. 13, 2008
By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As soon as you walk through the door, "Bam!" his weapon is on you. It doesn't matter where you are in the room, that Airman's eyes and M-16 muzzle are tracing your movements. Fortunately for you, it's only an optical illusion of a two-dimensional painting on the entrance wall of the 341st Security Forces Group's headquarters.

The mural is just one aspect of the groups' efforts to create an open, friendly and interesting environment for the security forces team and its visitors. When the 341st SFG took over the basement of building 500 in 2004, it was very sterile with white walls and gray carpet.

"We have wanted to do something with this area for a long time but we never had the resources to do it," said Chief Master Sgt. Larry Wilson, 341st SFG superintendent. "We have to take care of the troops and their posting requirements, such as cold weather gear and equipment. We had competing agendas and you have to prioritize. At the same time, it's important to have an identity."

This identity and display of heritage came to fruition when a former security forces member walked into the building and came face-to-face with a blank wall.

"I thought the wall would make a great place for a mural," said Bob Stillwell, 341st Communications Squadron contracted graphic artist. "I was a cop during Vietnam from 1969 to 1972. I liked law enforcement and it was one of the reasons I wanted to do the mural. There are some pretty exciting aspects of that career field."

Mr. Stillwell made his way down to Col. Steve Asher, 341st SFG commander, and asked him if it was alright to paint the mural and showcased his ideas of what he wanted to paint, which was something with a lot of color and different aspects of the security forces career field.

"Bob spent more than 230 hours volunteering his time painting this mural," Colonel Asher said. "He worked after hours, weekends and during holidays. His son came here from Washington on several occasions on his time off to help, too. It really is outstanding and I hope it stays here for a long time."

The mural welcomes visitors and security forces team members, but once past the entry way, people are engulfed with an array of posters and photographs that line the hallway walls. More than 50 photos, ranging from World War I to present day, show off the work security forces people have been doing for decades. There is also a heritage uniform display as well.

"When I first got down here to the 341st SFG, I realized the unit needed to be re-blued into their heritage," said Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Hanes, 341st Operations Group interim superintendent. "I found a display case that was not being used and I have a large selection of historical artifacts and some are from security forces."

The group also put up directional signs and arrows to make their headquarters area more user-friendly and customer service oriented.

"We also hung up the Airman's Creed and anti-DUI messages throughout the floor," Chief Wilson said. "Bob and Chief Hanes get my vote for heroes of the year. Their donations of time and effort made this place look professional and it highlights our warrior ethos."

The security forces identity has changed over time and evolves with the changing Air Force, but the warrior ethos permeates everything the 341st SFG does.

"It's who we are," Chief Wilson said. "We are the warriors of the Air Force. We carry a gun on a daily basis. It's what we do. Anyone who sees us identifies our badges and our berets. It's who we are and everyone knows it."