Kehler: Continuous combat readiness is Malmstom's mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Reminding Malmstrom Airmen that combat readiness is their job and perfection is their standard was the message delivered by the visiting commander of Air Force Space Command, during an all-call here Feb. 17. 

Gen. C. Robert Kehler said he came to congratulate the 341st Missile Wing for passing the recent limited nuclear surety inspection, but warned Team Malmstrom to make sure celebrations do not carry on too long. 

"You still have a lot of work to do," General Kehler said. "But you don't need me to tell you that." 

The general went on to emphasize the Air Force's top priority is restoring the nuclear mission. 

"Deterrence is the foundation of this nation's security," General Kehler said. "Let there be no mistake; let there be no doubt in your mind that what you do every day matters." 

The general said the Air Force made nuclear surety inspections harder, and they will continue to become even more difficult in the future. 

"If perfection is your standard, and it is in all activities surrounding our nuclear weapons, you have to have a test that tells you whether you are meeting that standard," he said. "That test is the NSI (nuclear surety inspection)." 

General Kehler said every 13 to 18 months, inspection teams will be sent here (and to the other two intercontinental ballistic missile wings at Minot AFB, N.D., and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.), to prove the command is meeting the standard of perfection. The Air Force will also begin performing no-notice inspections on a larger scale in the future. 

He stressed that the 341st Missile Wing constrains, defines or prevents adversaries from acting. 

"The Air Force is in two conflicts; the one we are fighting and one that we are preventing," he said. "Your role is pivotal in prevention." 

The general also explained how the mission of the 341st MW will remain the same when Air Force Global Strike Command formally stands up. 

"There is no difference to you because your job is combat readiness and upholding the standard of perfection every day," he said. "We need to get back to a culture where you think about this every day." 

To conclude his message he also reminded Airmen to continue living by the Air Force core values and the Airman's Creed. 

"Do not falter and do not fail," he said.