100 Safe Trips Program: No room for mishaps

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  One of the most important aspects of the mission conducted on Malmstrom Air Force Base every day is the Airmen. The efforts they put forth ensures the base's nuclear deterrent mission continues successfully and, more importantly, safely.

Due to the thousands of miles of missile complex scattered across the state of Montana, Airmen are constantly making trips to and from the base; they are primarily responsible for the safe transport of Malmstrom's nuclear assets. This responsibility sits on the shoulders of one of the Air Force's youngest work forces making safety the most important aspect to outline in their mission.

Malmstrom has, in place, a program designed to recognize and reward Airmen who have successfully completed 100 safe trips to and from the missile complex in a payload transporter.

"The 100 safe trips program recognizes those Airmen who have safely transported ICBM components to and from the field," said Tech. Sgt. Nate Greene, __. "Most of these guys are fresh out of high school and are entrusted to transport nuclear weapons all over the complex in weather that some people wouldn't drive their (personally owned vehicles) in."

Making 100 safe trips is no easy task and, according to Greene, can take a technician up to 18 months to complete with no slip ups.

"Getting in an accident with a nuclear certified vehicle is not like crashing your mom's car," Greene said. "Everyone gets involved, and everyone knows about it. If you have 99 trips and you have a mishap, no matter how small, you start back at zero."

Currently, the 341st Maintenance Group has had eight technicians receive this award; each received a coin and personal congratulations from the wing commander.

"I think it's a good incentive to stay alert, stay focused and not get into accidents," said Staff Sgt. Michael Adams, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron MMT technician topsider. "Safety is really important; you don't want to be the one that gets in an accident."

Adams completed his 100th safe trip to the field in mid-September and plans to continue on his path of safety success.

"I think this program motivates me and the other people that I work with," he said. "Just stay alert and know your surroundings."

Every day, hundreds of Airmen take individual responsibility for mission success and pride in the nuclear heritage that surrounds Malmstrom AFB. Although only eight members have received this award so far, several more are striving for it each day.