Wing awarded Verne Orr Award for 2008

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Around-the-clock strategic deterrence and the protection, security and safety of Team Malmstrom personnel, were the key ingredients to the 341st Missile Wing winning the Verne Orr Award for 2008 for superior resource management and utilization from Jan.1 to Dec. 31, 2008. 

"The men and women of the 341st Missile Wing are the most committed professionals found anywhere throughout Air Force Space Command and deserve [this] recognition as the award recipients," said Col. Michael Fortney, 341st MW commander. "[We] continue to provide outstanding service to our country through nuclear deterrence and the most innovative and effective use of our most critical resources - our people!" 

Malmstrom's effectiveness toward global security was showcased throughout 2008 in each unit's individual job performances and tasks to mission success; however, a few stand out as key achievements to receiving this award. 

They include creating the first-ever Intercontinental Ballistic Missile crew conversion program for 40 crew members, ultimately easing the 564th Missile Squadron inactivation and saving the Air Force $30,000 per student; showcasing for the first time in history the ICBM mission from a launch control center and launch facility to a live television audience on the NBC "Today Show" impressing more than five million viewers; and saving five lives through 15 search and rescue helicopter flights in high density altitude and mountainous terrain. 

Team Malmstrom also received many awards including the Blanchard Trophy, U.S. Strategic Command Omaha Trophy and AFSPC Williams Award, as well as 28 AFSPC and 20th Air Force-level awards and recognitions. The wing also engineered the "Treat every Airman like a Colonel" program improving customer satisfaction among the base populace. 

The year was also full of inspections and exercises and the 341st Operations Group powered a 2008 "Excellent" Nuclear Control Orders Procedures rating with 16 of 16 crews near perfect during the Nuclear Surety Inspection. 

The wing also tackled the largest military contracting program in AFSPC with its perfect design and construction of $258 million in military family housing, and was first in the command to finish a $2.4 billion guidance modification and concrete enhancement project to 150 launch facilities throughout the missile complex. 

The Air Force Association established this award in honor of former 14th Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr. The award recognizes an Air Force unit that makes the most effective use of its human resources.