MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Team Malmstrom made history this year with the Global Strike Challenge 2019: by taking home the Blanchard Trophy for Best Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Wing for the third consecutive year in a row.
Awarded since 1967, the Blanchard Trophy is a rotational legacy trophy given to the best missile wing. It is named in honor of Gen. William H. Blanchard, who served as Strategic Air Command’s director of operations in the early 1960s.
Malmstrom Air Force Base took home the Blanchard Trophy in 2015, 2017 and now 2019 – making it the first missile wing in Air Force Global Strike Command history to hold the trophy for three wins in a row.
The GSC is the world’s premier bomber, ICBM, helicopter operations, maintenance and security forces competition. The goal is to enhance readiness, teamwork, esprit de corps, mission pride and a competitive spirit. It exists as a way to celebrate heritage and mission by showcasing the command’s best in weapons systems and technical expertise.
Along with the Blanchard trophy, Team Malmstrom won the following awards:
McMahon Trophy
A rotational legacy trophy awarded to the best missile crew. This trophy was first awarded in 2010, named after Maj. Gen. Timothy J, McMahon, who served as Director of Nuclear and Counterproliferation with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations at the Pentagon.
Charlie Fire Team Trophy
Dedicated to all security police and security forces members who have given their lives in support of the U.S. Air Force’s nuclear mission, this trophy is awarded to the best overall security forces.
Best Security Forces Mental and Physical (MAP) Challenge
Awarded to the security forces team compiling the highest MAP Challenge competition score.
Best Security Forces Marksmanship Trophy
Awarded to the security forces team compiling the highest security forces marksmanship (firing) competition score.
Best Security Forces Tactics Trophy
Awarded to the security forces team compiling the highest security forces tactics competition score.
Best ICBM Missile Communications Team
Best ICBM Facilities Maintenance Section Team
Best Helicopter Security Response
Doolittle Trophy (formerly the AFGSC Innovation Excellence Award)
This trophy promotes and awards the wing best recognized for their innovation through techniques, processes and programs that enhance mission effectiveness, morale or sustained results that maximize efficient operations.
Spirit Bell
Awarded since 1978, the Spirit Bell is awarded to the team that epitomized professionalism, teamwork and esprit de corps during the competition.
"It is an honor to participate in the Global Strike Challenge," said Col. Russell Williford, 341st Missile Wing vice commander. "It allows our Airmen to demonstrate their combat capabilities against the best of the best.
"In the end, it allows us to demonstrate that we can defend America with combat ready ICBMs," he continued. "It sends a message not only to our Allies, but also to our adversaries."