Airmen work as team to accomplish mission in field

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  For Airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, working in the missile field can present obstacles that very few others throughout the Air Force may deal with. From extreme winter temperatures to hot, dry summers, the conditions they conquer on a daily basis are challenging.

"The mission here at Malmstrom is always unique," said Staff Sgt. Gene Francis, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems journeyman. "We are out in the elements, the winds and the snow, and we travel in all different types of terrain."

In two recent events, Airmen from the 341st CES missile zone electrical workshop had to accomplish an important mission while overcoming challenges mother nature threw their way.

On Nov. 18, a launch facility lost power due to an electrical pole snapping, resulting in 341st CES missile zone electrical personnel being dispatched to the field in severely inclement weather. The month before, a missile alert facility garage lost power, causing alert teams to have limited access to the facility. As a result, the security alert teams were unable to store their vehicles out of the elements, which put mission reaction time at risk.

"We had our Airmen on site for a total of five full working days, between the two jobs," said Tech. Sgt. Luis Quesada, 341st CES electrical systems craftsman.

During both occasions, electrical systems personnel replaced damaged conduit, ran new power lines, fixed broken power phases and reinforced electrical infrastructure, which resulted in security forces personnel being able to continue with their mission of securing Malmstrom's missile field.

"We also work with other shops and other crafts within CE, and it's a great thing," said Quesada. "We receive a lot of support from the other workshops within the squadron. If we ask for another person to help with a job or some additional equipment, they always give us a lot of good support. Without all of us working together, the mission can't be completed the way it needs to be done."

At the core of their success is teamwork. Without teamwork nothing can be done to the level of excellence they strive for and achieve every day. In the 341st CES members' line of work, the systems, parts and even people are all intertwined. Every part effects the others and when something happens a domino effect takes place.

"The greatest thing about working at Malmstrom is the challenges," Quesada said. "You never know what you're going to get into."

Dispatching for these teams also plays a critical role in keeping the whole missile system infrastructure running. The dispatchers who send specialty teams into the field, like Quesada's, respond to more than 2,000 calls a year and complete more than 1,000 work orders annually.

"Water, electric, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and carpenters are integral parts of the mission," said Steven McSwain, 341st CES missile zone controller.

McSwain works alongside Senior Airman Kelly Morrish, 341st CES missile zone controller, to dispatch teams from multiple workshops into the field. Without their support, coordination of more than 100 sites' repairs and upkeep would be next to impossible.

Through their coordination, three to six teams are dispatched into the field five days a week for various projects to be completed.

"As a controller, we need to get teams dispatched and out to the field as quickly as possible," said Morrish. "When our folks go out, and by that I mean all of these craftsmen, they go out in every kind of weather. That within itself is absolutely outstanding in my eyes. It makes me proud."