341st CES members provide vegetation control at LFs

  • Published
  • By Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Although it may seem like a somewhat insignificant task, clearing Malmstrom's Launch Facilities of overgrown weeds and grass is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. High vegetation can trigger alarms at the LFs due to movement by the wind; it can also provide a 'cover' for low crawling intruders and, if dry enough, can provide the proper conditions for a grass fire.

Members of Air Force Global Strike Command's 341st Civil Engineer Squadron are traveling the many miles, braving the uneven terrain and working the long hours that are required to mow and spray the LFs.

"As a unit, the pavements maintenance, or Horizontal Construction, section of the 341st CES cut high vegetation at all LFs in the 10th, 12th and 490th Missile Squadrons twice a year," said Tech. Sgt. Isaac Rogers, 341st CES NCO in charge of missile grounds. "We are also responsible to cut high vegetation at all LFs and Missile Alert Facilities in the 564th, which is currently deactivated. Within our unit, we work in coordination with the entomology shop; we cut and they spray herbicide to provide a more permanent solution to control the spread of noxious weeds. Within the Missile Wing, we work with missile security and missile maintenance as they have 'eyes on' knowledge on a daily basis of all missile sites in the 10th, 12th, and 490th Missile Squadrons. They provide vital Intel and report high vegetation to us so we can do our job better."

There are anywhere from 10 to 12 teams, consisting of two members, from the horizontal construction section mowing LF sites throughout the missile complexes at any given time during the day. Members from the entomology shop follow their work with 1 to 2 teams of two spraying the invasive weeds and ground terrains that are uphill or in hard-to-reach places for a mower.

"This operation is important to maintain our nuclear safety and meet force protection condition requirements throughout the LFs," said Staff Sgt. Ric Hernandez, 341st CES NCO in charge of pest management. "We maintain the growth of the invasive weeds to prevent them from setting off the alarms in the sites; this puts less stress on our security forces teams."

The horizontal construction section completed their first cycle of mowing all 200 LFs this week, and is expected to start their second two weeks from now. The entomology shop is following closely by completing the spraying in 50 to 60 LFs during each cycle.

"Going to the missile complex empowers our Airmen to be their own bosses and they get to see some of the Montana countryside while performing their official duties," Rogers said. "Both military and civilians are asking to go to the missile fields, even now, because they enjoy doing it."