Malmstrom AFB hits a grand slam in the trophy game

  • Published
  • By Airman Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom Air Force Base has been named the best missile wing within the U.S. Strategic Command. In late February, USSTRATCOM announced that the base won the coveted Omaha Trophy, along with six other top-honor trophies.

The Omaha Trophy, which dates back to the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Air Command, was originally created by the Strategic Command Consultation Committee in 1971. At the time, a single trophy was presented annually as a token of appreciation to the command's best wing.

"(The winning organizations demonstrated) the highest standards of performance in support of USSTRATCOM's global, diverse missions," said U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil Haney, USSTRATCOM commander. "Each nominee is truly an outstanding representative of their task force, joint task force, or functional component. Their sustained professionalism, record of mission accomplishment and emphasis on effective warfighting readiness is remarkable. I am proud of each and every one for their contributions to our nation's defense."

All the trophies currently adorn the walls of the wing headquarters' building, providing a physical reminder of the wing's adherence to the Air Force core values and the hard work its Airmen do every day to accomplish the mission.

The Blanchard Trophy was first awarded in 1967 to the 351st Strategic Missile Wing based out of Whiteman AFB, Missouri; the trophy is named after Gen. William H. Blanchard who served as the United States Air Force vice chief of staff and represents the best missile wing within the command.

The 341st Missile Wing won their first Blanchard in 1976 and was the first wing to win back-to-back Blanchard trophies in 1990 and 1991. The wing has the most back-to-back wins out of the command and has won the most Blanchard's to date, with 11 victories. 

The Omaha Trophy was first awarded in 1971 to the 93rd Bomb Wing based out of Castle AFB, California; the trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding intercontinental ballistic missile, ballistic missile submarine, strategic bomber, strategic aircraft and global operations wings in USSTRATCOM. Malmstrom has won it seven times to date, with the first win in 1993.

The Air Force Global Strike Command Innovation Excellence Award was established in 2014 to ensure and promote an ongoing culture of innovation across the spectrum of AFGSC. The award specifically recognizes the techniques, processes and programs that enhance mission effectiveness or morale by achieving sustained results that maximize efficient operations.

This is Malmstrom's first time winning this award.  

The Klotz Trophy was formerly known as the Best ICBM Trophy, the Klotz Trophy was first awarded in 2010 in honor of Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz who was the first commander of AFGSC. The Klotz Trophy recognizes the missile wing compiling the highest average score for its missile and helicopter squadrons.

The Blackburn Trophy was named in honor of Col. Charles "Chuck" E. Blackburn who was a pioneer in ICBM maintenance and former deputy commander of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing based out of F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Blackburn was a forerunner in helping refine maintenance practices for the Atlas, Titan, Minuteman and Peacekeeper weapon systems.

The trophy recognizes the best ICBM maintenance team in the competition. Malmstrom has acquired this trophy four times to date.

The Neary Trophy was named in honor of Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Neary, who was a space pioneer and former Twentieth Air Force commander, also former 341st MW commander; the trophy recognizes the best ICBM emergency war orders crew in the competition.

On the home front, Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st MW commander, gave his remarks to Team Malmstrom members during the Omaha Trophy presentation at the Grizzly Bend March 31.

"I want to thank the members of Team Malmstrom, who we could not do this without," said Wilcox. "You guys get the mission done every single day. You protect the nation every single day. You protect those who can't protect themselves, and you do it as a team. We only win something like this as a team. And we only succeed as a team."

Speaking on behalf of USSTRATCOM, Haney also expressed his gratitude, not just for the members of Wing One, but for the entire team that makes up the United States' nuclear deterrent force.

"I am proud of Team Malmstrom ... for being able to execute this very challenging mission," Haney said. "Given the maturity of the system, it's really just an example of how our men and women in uniform, in the joint military force, and the families and communities that support them, are able to deliver for our nation's security. I really can't thank them enough."