MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The 341st Missile Wing's worst-case scenario is that an adversary might attempt to capture a nuclear weapon. If this hypothetical situation were ever to occur, civilian law enforcement agencies all over Montana would be called upon to close roads, observe traffic and assist in recovery operations.
It was for this purpose that Malmstrom Air Force Base hosted a Local Incident Response Plan conference May 29. Approximately 50 people attended including representatives from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection, Montana Highway Patrol, Great Falls Police Department, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Montana National Guard, and security and emergency response personnel from the 341st MW.
LIRP is a general plan that coordinates the response capabilities of the Air Force, FBI and civilian law enforcement departments within the state if a nuclear asset were ever threatened or compromised. It also provides for a system of immediate notification between these agencies if a hostile incident occurs.
The conference was an opportunity for military and civilian partners to meet and establish connections, as well as to reinforce their common understanding of LIRP responsibilities and jurisdictions.
The day began with a welcome from Col. Marné Deranger, 341st MW vice commander. She encouraged the conference participants to interact with each other and to build connections between agencies.
Stanley Moody, 341st Security Forces Group plans and programs manager, and Special Agent Selena DeVantier, FBI, led discussions throughout the morning. The conference concluded with a familiarization tour of the T-9 maintenance trainer on base.
Moody said he plans to make the conference an annual event.
Col. Kenneth O'Neil, 341st SFG commander, summarized the conference as an opportunity to build relationships. Those connections could ultimately decide the outcome if an incident were to occur.
"The loss of one of these weapons is just unthinkable," O'Neil said. "The LIRP is all about casting a net with our community partners and making sure nobody gets away with one of these things. If they did, it wouldn't just be a bad day for Malmstrom or the Air Force. It would be a bad, bad day for the state of Montana and the planet."