Team Malmstrom holds Community Fair

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 2nd Annual Community Fair took place at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Sept. 9, 2015, at the Grizzly Bend.

More than 60 local clubs, churches, civic organizations, parks and recreation and other recreational opportunities came to showcase all there is to do in Montana statewide.

The community fair initiative was started in 2012 by Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalksi, then Air Force Global Strike Command commander, who employed the "Strike Now!" suggestion implementation of community fairs at installations. It was implemented to provide Airmen awareness on the activities and organizations available in the local community.

Airmen are constantly changing bases and arrive to their new location without knowing what each town has to offer. Airmen and their families search for places to go to spend quality time together and enjoy the new scene.

Inviting the community to Malmstrom helps to promote all these activities that Great Falls has to offer. It also promotes keeping morale high and alleviating job's stressors, which is a main priority of the wing.

1st Lt. Kristin Geisz, the community support coordinator assistant, said working with the organizations and agencies made her realize she was just scratching the surface with all the opportunities in Montana.

"One of the initiatives for the community support coordinator in this office is to ensure we can get information out to the Airmen in order to figure out what there is to do," said Geisz. "One of the best things about having it here on base is that we can put a face to a name with some of the Airmen."

The Community Fair brings together many attractions and features it all in one location.

Senior Master Sgt. William Kudrna, 341st Comptroller Squadron superintendent, said last year the event was a huge success not only for Malmstrom's community, but for the local community as well.

"There are tons of things to go do and see here in Montana," said Kudrna. "Sometimes we get caught up in our daily routines and miss out on opportunities. The community fair is an opportunity to go and get advance information before you commit."

One of the many vendors that came to show Team Malmstrom support was Pizazz Cooking Class, Bella Cucina.

Veronica Ronnau, owner of Bella Cucina, said there are plenty of things around Great Falls for Airmen to get involved in.

"I have talked to so many people that have not even been downtown," Ronnau said. "They look at this town as if there was nothing to do here, and there is. You just have to get out and find it."

The community fair not only gives Great Falls an opportunity to help their Airmen, but gives Team Malmstrom a chance to give back to their community.