Operation 'Holiday Cheer' starts soon

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The weather is getting colder meaning the holidays are just around the corner.

Malmstrom Air Force Base is gearing up for the holidays with the third annual Operation "Holiday Cheer" sponsored by the 341st Force Support Squadron and the First Sergeant Council. Its main goal is to foster camaraderie, open communication, unity and teamwork throughout the base populace and to allow Team Malmstrom to spread holiday spirit.

"The purpose (of Operation 'Holiday Cheer') is to have ID card holders, 18 years old and older, come together and have a good time around the holidays," said Master Sgt. Shane Matt, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron first sergeant.

The 5-week event will start Friday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. with a dodge ball tournament at the fitness center basketball courts. Teams of six, male or female, with a maximum of 12 teams are being recruited for the event. Teams will play each other and be eliminated based on a single or double elimination process depending on the number of teams signed up. Anyone interested in signing up a team should contact Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith at 731-3600.

The second event will be a 9-pin, no-tap bowling tournament on Friday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Aces High Bowling Center. This event is also open to teams of six with a maximum of 12 teams - six members per lane. Three free games and shoes will be provided for registered members. Anyone interested in signing up a team should contact Kevin Sorenson at 731-4630.

The third event will be a community and base-wide scavenger hunt taking place Dec. 2-4. Teams of four or more may pick up lists from the Grizzly Bend Dec. 2 between 4 and 5 p.m. Teams will be allowed to search until 10 a.m. Dec. 4 when all items must be turned in at the old fitness center. Teams interested should contact Master Sgt. Shane Matt at 731-4248 or Master Sgt. Bradley Thye at 731-6322.

The fourth, and final, competition event will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament taking place Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. at the fitness center basketball courts. Teams of three, male or female, are encouraged to sign up. All teams will be matched and eliminated based on a single or double elimination process depending on the number of teams registered. Anyone interested in signing up a team should contact Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith at 731-3600.

Operation "Holiday Cheer" will wrap up with a party at the Grizzly Bend Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Finger foods, fellowship and opportunities to win free prizes will be available throughout the night, and a grand prize will be given away to one of the event participants at 8 p.m. For more information on the wrap-up party, contact Sherri Hagen or Rick King at 731-3359.

All competition events will be awarding cash prizes to the first, second and third place winners. Also, all members participating in any of the events will be given a raffle ticket, prior to the start of the event, with a chance to win a Visa gift card. To sign up for any event visit www.341fss.com/holidaycheer.