MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Malmstrom Air Force Base defends America with the largest combat-ready intercontinental ballistic missile complex in the world. The 341st Security Forces Squadron defends this base.
1st Lt. Caleb Schotzko, 341st SFS flight commander, said that the defenders he oversees provide 24-hour law enforcement services to thousands of individuals through proactive, community-oriented policing, operation of a state-of-the-art emergency communications center, and the operation of the base’s Weapons Storage Area. The WSA allows for the maintenance and storage of ICBM systems critical to Malmstrom’s nuclear mission. The 341st SFS also manages military working dog teams, provides entry control for the installation, including the visitor control center, and runs Montana’s first enhanced emergency center as well as a confinement facility that supports four Air Force bases.
“Without the 341st Security Forces Squadron, we would not be able to conduct secure maintenance operations in the Weapons Storage Area,” Schotzko said. “We enable the fielding of nuclear-capable weapons to in-field forces throughout Malmstrom’s missile field.”
Tech. Sgt. Matthew Mundy, 341st SFS area supervisor, said that the 341st SFS’s role in the ICBM mission is to be a multi-layer defense around the nuclear-capable weapons systems in Malmstrom’s area of responsibility.
“Our role is unique. We are the Air Force’s ground force; our mission is performing law enforcement duties on our installation,” Mundy said. “It’s our job to detect and defend from any enemy that would want to cause harm to our brothers and sisters-in-arms.”
In addition to maintaining 24-hour operations every day of the year, the squadron also completes the training necessary to allow its Airmen to complete the mission.
“My position as a flight commander puts me in a role where I oversee the training and equipping of defenders,” Schotzko said.
Over the past few months, the squadron has held a multitude of training opportunities including integrated nuclear weapon recapture and recovery operations, active shooter training, barricaded subject response, medical training, and driving under the influence detection and enforcement. They also regularly work with the tactical response force, the convoy response force, the staff judge advocate, munitions, public affairs and other agencies, to assist each other and further the mission.
“Having our Airmen certified on different duty positions only increases their knowledge and growth throughout their career,” Mundy said. “Having them rotate throughout duty positions also helps them stay engaged.”
All this training helps security forces Airmen develop the ability to think quickly, respond effectively and protect Wing One so its Airmen can continue to defend America with its safe, secure, reliable and effective ICBMs.