MXG gains communications personnel

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andeelynn Fifrick
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  In an effort to consolidate missile field maintenance activities, approximately 80 members of the 341st Communications Squadron are being reassigned to the 341st Maintenance Group. 

The five sections affected by this change are satellite communications maintenance, missile radio maintenance, strategic communications maintenance, hardened intersite cable maintenance and Visual Imagery Intrusion Detection Systems. 

"In an era of shrinking budgets, we need to continually look for ways to more efficiently conduct operations," said Col. William Hughes, 341st MXG commander. "We've realized there are many more similarities than there are differences in the way missile and communications maintenance are done. We believe we can capitalize on them to more effectively perform both jobs." 

"In today's austere fiscal and resource environment, if we are able to realize savings and greater efficiencies, then this push is in the right direction," said Lt. Col. Edwin Bayba, 341st Communications Squadron commander. 

Despite this permanent shift of manpower, the communications personnel affected will continue to work at their current location with the exception of the four personnel assigned to the maintenance group quality assurance section. 

"Oversight for missile field communications and the weapons storage area communications systems will be the responsibility of the maintenance group," Colonel Bayba said. "However, the communications squadron will still retain responsibility for radio support in the missile complex and on-base communications support." 

According to Chief Master Sgt. John Korpi, 341st MMXS maintenance supervisor, even with the addition of the communications personnel, the maintenance group has the infrastructure in place to continue to centrally handle vehicles, equipment issue, cold weather gear, technical data management and supply. 

"This efficient infrastructure frees up our missile maintainers to concentrate on what they do best - perform missile maintenance; and we can help our communications partners do the same," Chief Korpi said. "Additionally, we'll start to look at our traditional missile maintenance Air Force Specialty Code personnel performing some tasks formerly completed by comm." 

According to Colonel Bayba, the second phase of this change plans to convert job functions from a communications career field to a missile career field. 

"The intended goal is to create more synergy in the maintenance world," Colonel Bayba said. "Combining missile and communications maintenance will provide several maintenance control and scheduling benefits."