MSG celebrates 60th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. - --  Sept. 1 marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the 341st Mission Support Group, originally activated as the 341st Air Base Group at Abilene Air Force Base, Texas (present day Dyess AFB).

The 341st ABG was created and assigned to the 341st Bombardment Wing at Abilene in 1955, to provide host support for the base.

In 1956 the 341st ABG was deactivated for five years before being re-activated and later renamed the 341st MSG at Malmstrom.

Malmstrom has had the honor to have the 341st MSG since 1961.

Col. Denise L. Cooper has command of the 341st MSG and the five squadrons within the group including the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron, 341st Communications Squadron, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron, 341st Force Support Squadron and the 341st Contracting Squadron.

"Say there was, hopefully there isn't, but say there was, a natural disaster to strike the base. Eighty-five percent of the solution to the problems would fall on the squadrons of the MSG," said Cooper. "What's important is that no matter what, Malmstrom would be able to respond, ensuring that the base remains mission capable and ready to support the strategic nuclear mission."

Senior Master Sgt. David Lohouse, 341st CS superintendent, has been in communications for the past 23 years. 

"There is a lot of truth to what I believe in," said Lohouse, "And that is, in the words of Col. Cooper, when something is going wrong here on base, people come to us for solutions."

MSG commands some of the most base-function supporting squadrons on base. The civil engineer squadron powers the base with energy and provides clean water and safe roads. As well as the force support squadron, which takes care of members, families and retirees.

"MSG says support," said Chief Master Sgt. Dewayne Beadles, 341st MSG superintendent, in charge for ensuring all MSG Airmen's health, morale and welfare. "Nothing can happen on this base without going through MSG. If you think of the wing as a body, the MSG is the spine. The Airmen in MSG are highly motivated, educated, trained and equipped. They do their job with pride and professionalism. The Airmen go in and get the job done without you even knowing about it."

The 341st LRS has played a part in the history of the MSG, dating all the way back to World War II, as well as current operations.

"The LRS is one of the biggest deployable missions," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Jacobs, 341st LRS vehicle operations control center NCO in charge, with 12 years of experience in the Air Force. "Anywhere you go you're going to have a need for supplies, vehicles and fuels. We provide vehicle maintenance to all the base's Humvees, cranes and trucks. We provide supply functions, petrol and lubricant, and ground transportation assets. The vehicles used to transport the missileers to the missile site and distinguished visitor transportation are maintained by LRS. You can't do the mission without the group."

The MSG has a huge responsibility to Airmen morale and readiness, on and off duty.

"The communications squadron has several specialties to include client systems to computer security, which are being constantly maintained to protect our systems against cybercrime," said Lohouse. "It's no secret that the MSG support is the backbone of our mission. It's a never-ending story in the communications squadron. It's a full-time job to get information to stay safe, secure and reliable."

The MSG has been supporting Airmen and their families, Department of Defense contractors and retirees for 60 years, ensuring health, wealth and readiness.

"When Col. Cooper spoke at the FSS change of command ceremony, she said FSS is the heart of the base," said Master Sgt. Treva Sahadat, 341st FSS superintendent of missile alert feeding with 22 years of service in force support. "I don't think it could be explained better. I think that the MSG having its 60th anniversary truly states the significance of the group."

Airmen under the MSG command are proud of their group and its legacy.

"The MSG having its 60th birthday makes me feel proud that I'm part of an organization that has had such a long existence," said 2nd Lt. Josh McGaha, 341st MSG project engineer, with a civil engineer's background.

Senior Airman Jack Ensminger, a 341st FSS career development journeyman, mainly works with separations and retirements, permanent change of stations for outbound assignments and to assist in re-enlistments and extensions.  

"You know, I sit behind a desk," said Ensminger. "And sometimes you don't feel like you're part of anything. But seeing the MSG progress as they go on makes me feel like I'm a part of something."