Wing One hosts AFGSC commander

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, visited the 341st Missile Wing last week to meet with members of Team Malmstrom and discuss mission needs as well as his vision for continuing to strengthen our nation's nuclear deterrence capability.

Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback, AFGSC Command Chief, accompanied General Kowalski and spent a great deal of time visiting with the Airmen, discussing a wide range of issues affecting Malmstrom personnel during this period of increased financial and personnel constraints.

The two-day stay started with discussions of key issues impacting the Air Force's nuclear deterrence mission over lunch with wing senior leadership. The rest of the general's stay was spent personally meeting with the Airmen who make up Wing One, including visits at various work centers and facilities with the 341st Missile Wing commander, Colonel H.B. Brual.

General Kowalski had breakfast with Airmen at Malmstrom's Elkhorn Diner on Thursday.

"I wanted to highlight the importance of this [nuclear deterrence] mission and the work you do every day," he told the audience. "Whether you are directly involved with nuclear weapons maintenance, operations, transport or security - or if you support the mission in another way, you are all vital parts of the team."

With severe budget constraints, the general stressed the importance of every Airman's role and the critical responsibilities inherent to the base's nuclear deterrence mission.

"If we didn't think you were key to the mission or this wing, frankly, your billet wouldn't be here." he said.

The general later met up with non-commissioned officers for lunch at the Grizzly Bend community center.

The general also enjoyed a dinner with senior members of the Great Falls community. Discussions revolved around the close relationship traditionally enjoyed between Malmstrom and its surrounding areas, as well as ways in which military and civilian leadership can work together to enhance that relationship.

The general's message throughout his visit was the importance of AFGSC's nuclear deterrence mission; one that Team Malmstrom excels at each and every day, and one that is essential to the security of our nation.