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Coming full circle; Malmstrom's new 341st OG commander completes the cycle of missile bases

By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs / Published July 30, 2007

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MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- After almost 30 years of missiles, Col. David Durgan, 341st Operations Group commander, has finally made the full round of missile bases, with Malmstrom completing the circle. 

He started out his Air Force career as an enlisted missile security forces member in 1978 working with the Titan Missile system at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Colonel Durgan made the switch from blue to gold through the Officer Training School in 1984. 

From his time as a staff sergeant to his current rank of colonel, the new 341st OG commander said he has loved every moment of his time in the missile business. 

When asked about his favorite assignments and most memorable moments in the Air Force, Colonel Durgan was hard-pressed to pinpoint one single memory that stood out against the others. 

"I guess to get selected for command, and to be selected for command twice, would be a highlight of my career," he said. "You always aspire to be a commander and to get to do it twice is even more of an honor. I feel extremely blessed to get that opportunity. Being a commander is a highlight because you get to serve a unit," he said. 

Along with serving the 341st OG, Colonel Durgan and his wife, Tina, look forward to enjoying Montana, once they get settled in. 

"We haven't had a chance to explore Montana," Colonel Durgan explained. "I'm a big outdoorsman. I love to hunt and fish, and I love the mountains." 

Colonel Durgan and his wife also enjoy the cold winters. 

"We're both from Michigan and we actually enjoy the winter," Colonel Durgan said. 

In Michigan, he and his wife were high school sweethearts. High school was also when Colonel Durgan got his first car, a dark blue, 1970 Dodge Challenger, or, as he calls it - his high school "hot-rod," he recalled with a smile. 

Although he doesn't cruise around in that hot-rod anymore, Colonel Durgan is busy "cruising"  his new domain, and still has the "drive" to spend time with his young troops. 

"What energizes me at work every day are the young folks," the colonel said. "I feel like I'm here to serve them - both the young enlisted and young officers. I just love being around them. I spend a lot of time with these Airmen." 

He is humble about what he's accomplished but he's sincere in his sentiments.

"I'm not the one who goes out to do the job anymore," he said. "I've pulled those alerts. I've been a security forces member in the field and I've done the maintenance. My job now is to serve all of them and make sure they can do what they do to the best of their abilities while giving them the tools for success." 

Tools, he says, they are already armed with.

"I am amazed at the dedication of the younger servicemembers here ... their hard work and the long hours they put in are remarkable. They still come back every day with phenomenal attitudes," he said. "These folks are true heroes." 

No stranger to hard work himself, Colonel Durgan got his roots in early-morning hours and late nights which come with dedication growing up on a farm. 

"We had a black Angus herd and lots of chores," recalled Colonel Durgan. "We worked really hard and spent a lot of time in the field and taking care of the animals." 

From cows in a field in Michigan to birds on his lapels in Montana, Colonel Durgan intends to put that work ethic to use to maintain Malmstrom's stellar reputation and train the future leaders of the Air Force. 

"I'm all about serving; this is why I've served 30 years in the Air Force," he said. "I want to continue to foster the members of this group by making sure everyone is proficient and we keep the mission running smoothly. I want to maintain the efficiency this base has already proven."

Another thought that came to mind was the future.

"We always need to develop our future replacements," he said. "There are a lot of people behind me, and all of us,  who we need to pass on our experiences and knowledge to." 

Helping to shape the future of the Air Force shouldn't be too tough for this 30-year veteran with a positive outlook and desire to maintain Malmstrom's status as best missile base in the Air Force. 

"Of all the bases I've been to, I've always wanted to come to Malmstrom," the colonel said. "Malmstrom has always had a phenomenal reputation and I'm excited to be a part of the legacy that has occurred here over the years."
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