Today Show features Malmstrom Airmen, mission

  • Published
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Normally, seeing Airmen scramble around an ICBM wing you might think it's time to duck and cover. This time, however, the wing's hustle centered on being featured live on a national news program.

NBC's Al Roker and the Today Show broadcast live from the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., May 6 as part of their "Access Granted" series, which puts cameras in high-security places. The Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and the Airmen who operate, maintain, secure and support it, play a major role in America's national security every day.

"When I first found out about the NBC news crew wanting to tape at a launch control center and missile alert facility, my initial concern was with the security of the system," said Col. Paul Gydesen, 341st Space Wing vice commander. "We've had to work out a lot of logistics to make this happen, but the great folks on base did some good planning and it's all coming together. This [broadcast] will showcase how great the Airmen at Malmstrom are performing here."

Malmstrom is one of three U.S. Air Force bases that maintains and operates the Minuteman III ICBMs. The other two wings are the 90th SW, Frances E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and the 91st SW, Minot AFB, N.D.

The mission of the 341st Space Wing is to keep America free and strong by providing combat-ready people and aerospace forces. The wing reports directly to 20th Air Force, F.E. Warren, and is part of Air Force Space Command, headquartered at Peterson AFB, Colo.

"It's great [the NBC news crew] is here focusing on our [intercontinental ballistic missile] mission," said Airman 1st Class David Blais, 741st Missile Security Forces mobile fire teams member. "They're telling our story and letting people know what we do out here.

"I'm excited about the whole thing and am going to call my parents tonight to tell them I'll be on the 'Today Show' tomorrow." Airman Blais said. He was interviewed by Mr. Roker atop a HUMVEE May 5.

For more information on Air Force Space Command, contact AFSPC Public Affairs at (719) 554-3731. For more information about Malmstrom, call (406) 731-4050.