Global Strike Challenge 2014: Meet Malmstrom's 341st MOS PREL team

Published Sept. 4, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Editor's Note: This is part of a series highlighting the 2014 Global Strike Challenge teams.

Originally established in 1967, the "Curtain Raiser" was the first competition designed to test the skill of intercontinental ballistic missile wings in the U.S. Air Force. Today, the event is known as the Global Strike Challenge.

The GSC is the sole ICBM, bomber and security forces competition in the world with units from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard all vying to be the best.

The goal of the contest is to recognize the hard working and dedicated personnel of AFGSC by showcasing their skills and teamwork through intense training and performance, which allows these Airmen to practice their readiness while providing safe, secure and effective nuclear forces.

In all, more than 450 Airmen will take part in the event at various locations across the nation. Only the best will claim the title of first place in their respective categories.

During the 2014 GSC, Malmstrom's 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron power, refrigeration, and electrical section team will perform troubleshooting and operation of a guidance missile maintenance platform.

The platform is a key component in the maintenance of Malmstrom's weapons systems and must be checked, rechecked and checked again after every use to ensure its integrity. For the team, they will be tested on their knowledge of the platform and the parts that make it work so when the time comes, they will be able to flawlessly execute any repair needed.

The following are the Airmen who have been selected to represent Team Malmstrom in the PREL portion of Global Strike Challenge 2014:

Airman 1st Class Robert Hawkins, 341st MOS PREL technician

Hawkins has been stationed at Malmstrom for nine months and enjoys hunting, fishing and basketball in his spare time. In his words, it is an honor to represent Team Malmstrom in the GSC and he looks forward to heading down south to see the results of the competition.

Senior Airman Justin Rollins, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron facility maintenance technician

Rollins has been stationed at Malmstrom for two and a half years and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first child, who is due in November. According to him, he is very excited to have the opportunity to prove that Malmstrom's Airmen are the best at what they do and he looks forward to winning the competition.

Senior Airman Nancy Teslich, 341st MOS PREL technician

Teslich has been stationed at Malmstrom for more than three and a half years and has been performing her duties in her current position as a PREL technician for nearly three of those years. For her, job proficiency is extremely important and she is looking forward to demonstrating the team's talent in the competition.

The team is competing for the coveted Blackburn trophy, which was named in honor of Col. Charles Blackburn, former deputy commander of the 90th Strategic Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, and a forerunner in helping refine maintenance practices for the Atlas, Titan, Minuteman and Peacekeeper weapon systems.

To prepare, the Airmen have been tirelessly going over technical orders affiliated with guidance missile maintenance platform troubleshooting so they will be able to handle any situation that may arise in the challenge. Since Aug. 15, hands-on training has been a focal point of their preparation and for them, attention to detail is a key factor to success.

"I believe it is an honor to be part of this important challenge," said Senior Airman Nancy Teslich, 341st MOS PREL technician. "We can demonstrate our talents as a team, group and wing that we are ready for the mission. I am looking forward to the day we win (the competition) and we will show the maintenance world what we are made of."