Malmstrom Airmen attend Peacekeeper dedication

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Four of Malmstrom's own missile professionals attended the Missile Operations Badge reintroduction and Peacekeeper Missile dedication ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 6. 

Lt. Col. David Bliesner, 341st Operations Group deputy commander and former Peacekeeper squadron commander, was among the group who received the Missile Operations Badge during the events. Colonel Bliesner first received the Missile Operations Badge in 1989 after graduating from training at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. 

"As a career missileer, the badge was - and will be again - a source of great professional pride," Colonel Bliesner said. "I understood the intent and desire to unify the 13S career field under one badge, but I am very glad to put the Missile Operations Badge back on my uniform." 

The colonel was not only a Peacekeeper squadron commander, but the last commander of the last Peacekeeper squadron, the 400th Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., until it was deactivated Oct. 4, 2004. 

"While being the 400th MS commander was an absolute blast just about everyday, my best memories are of the phenomenal, professional men and women I had the honor of leading. Their iron-clad commitment to excellence and off-the-charts espirit de corps, even as we deactivated, was nothing short of inspiring," he said. 

The members of the 400th all felt an obligation to take its name into the history books at a level of mission performance equal to the squadron's heritage and decades-long tradition of excellence, the colonel said. 

Capt. Dustin Harmon, 341st Operations Support Squadron ICBM wing weapons and tactics plans officer, was assigned to the 400th MS as a combat crew member, and was the last on-alert "Black Pirates" crew member to leave Missile Alert Facility Tango-01 in 2005. 

"There is a lot of heritage with the badge," Captain Harmon said. "It's great to be part of that heritage. Second, the badge is sort of a mark of distinction. Someone can look at a person wearing the badge and tell right away that that person went through the same training, evaluations and alert pain as you did. It creates a bond between you without even knowing the other person."

The captain also said the museum was amazing and the museum staff did a great job with the Peacekeeper display. 

"We spent two days there and still didn't see everything," Captain Harmon said. "There is so much history there; you can really see the entire timeline of space and missiles in life size." 

The museum houses about 500 planes in several hangars ranging from a replica of the Wright Flyer to actual B-2 and B-52 bombers. The missile display includes various missiles including both Titan I and II Missiles and a Thor Missile. The museum staff is also preparing a Minuteman III for display as well, Colonel Bliesner said. 

"If a person is ever in the area, they need to go. It is flat incredible," he said. 

The Peacekeeper Missile and re-entry system was definitely the focus of the missile gallery and to have the entire room of attendees there to dedicate the Peacekeeper Missile and watch the missileers receive their Missile Badges from Gen. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, was a very great experience, Captain Harmon said. 

"Because the badge was retired right after the deactivation of the Peacekeeper and inactivation of the 400th MS, it was incredible for me to get my badge back while standing next to a Peacekeeper at the Air Force Museum," Colonel Bliesner said. 

Having a unique symbol to identify those who operate or who have operated this unique weapon system is important and will serve to boost unit cohesion and morale, Colonel Bliesner said. 

"We operate a unique and powerful weapon system that demands the highest proficiency to achieve daily perfection," Colonel Bliesner said. "In working together to achieve this lofty goal, our officers naturally develop a sense of pride in accomplishing a mission that is so demanding." 

Maj. Randy Olson, 341st Operations Group standardization and evaluation division chief, and 1st Lt. Kelly Hines, 341st OSS weapon system instructor, were also presented the Missile Operations Badge at the dedication ceremony.