Malmstrom Air Force Base is located east of Great Falls, Montana. The base traces its beginnings to World War II when Great Falls Army Air Base was established as a training field for B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crews. Construction began on May 7, 1942. Today Malmstrom AFB is one of three U.S. Air Force bases that maintain and operate the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.
The 341st Missile Wing is made up of a wing staff and five groups: the 341st Operations Group, 341st Maintenance Group, 341st Security Forces Group, 341st Mission Support Group and 341st Medical Group. The wing also hosts mission partners from the 582nd Helicopter Group based at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming: The 40th Helicopter Squadron that operates UH-1N "Huey" helicopters throughout a 13,800-square mile missile complex; and the 550th Helicopter Squadron which is leading 20th Air Force's conversion to the MH-139 "Grey Wolf." The helicopters are used as a force-multiplier in day-to-day security of missile facilities.
Other tenant units at Malmstrom Air Force Base include the 819th RED HORSE Squadron and the Montana Air National Guard's 219th RED HORSE Squadron; the 22nd Space Operations Squadron Detachment 1; and AFOSI Det. 806.
The base has about 4,000 active-duty military and civilian members assigned. Approximately 2,500 family members live and work on and around the base, and an estimated 6,500 veterans live in the local area. Malmstrom Air Force Base's economic impact on the local economy in fiscal year 2023 totaled approximately $425.6 million. It is a major employer in Montana and created 1,841 indirect jobs in fiscal year 2023.