Bite

Members of the Military Affairs Committee listen to members of the Tactical Response Force talk about the various weapons they are trained to use. MAC members were also exposed to members of the Convoy Response Force and crews of the UH-1N Hueys June 25. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cortney Hansen)

Bite

Brig. Gen. (Sel) Anthony Cotton, 341st Missile Wing commander, explains to Steve Grooms, Military Affairs Committee chairman, the similarities a Bearcat interior has to a regular Ford F-Series. Various vehicles that would be involved in a convoy were on display for the MAC members to learn about. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Cortney Hansen)

Committee members get bird's eye view

Published July 6, 2011
By Airman Cortney Hansen
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Great Falls Military Affairs Committee was invited onto Malmstrom Air Force Base June 25 to get a closer look at what the Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen here do on a daily basis.

The day's events were focused around giving MAC members direct exposure to the mission on base reinforcing a positive relationship between Malmstrom and the Great Falls Community.

"[The Military Affairs Committee] is an organization that is made up of the community and the base trying to strengthen the relationships between each other," said Steve Grooms, Military Affairs Committee chairman. "It is a subcommittee of the Chamber of Commerce made up of individuals in the community that work closely with the military here at Malmstrom and the Guard. We strengthen understanding and work together to make it a positive relationship."

Members of the committee were greeted, in three groups, by the 40th Helicopter Squadron's commander, Lt. Col. Michael Kardoes, as he started the day with a safety briefing and schedule of events.

From there, each group got a taste of the 341st Security Forces Group's Tactical Response Force and Convoy Response Force; various weapons and vehicles were on display for the visitors to look at while the operators of each asset were available to answer questions.

"Them coming and letting us fill them in on what we do can make them more comfortable and more sure of what we're doing and how we actually do it," said Airman 1st Class Kirk Sanders, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron member. "We're all over the state of Montana and civilians are always worried about what we're doing; I think it's a really good thing."

Following the ground displays, the committee members took to the skies for the final stops on their tour. After strapping in on one of Malmstrom's UH-1N Huey's, they were guided through the skies to a missile alert facility; but only after making a quick stop at the top of the Highwood Mountains. While on the helicopter, the pilots demonstrated various flying techniques and answered any questions from their passengers.

By the day's end, each member of the Military Affairs Committee had experienced the hard - and sometimes breathtaking - work of military members on Malmstrom Air Force Base giving them a first-hand look at what's going on right in their own backyard.

"It is so beneficial to get some insight into the great things that are going on out here at Malmstrom," Mr. Grooms said. "We get a feel of just the breadth and the scope of things that typically go unnoticed and we help communicate back to the community what a great job they do. We appreciate the great working relationship we have with Malmstrom [personnel] and all they do to take care of us. Sometimes we take it for granted and we need to make sure we don't."