MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- More than 20 faculty and staff members from Loy Elementary School in Great Falls toured Malmstrom Aug. 29.
Kim Ray, Loy Elementary School principal, said this was a follow-up tour from their visit in March when they learned the basics of Malmstrom’s mission and wanted to return to get more in depth of what life was like for the base.
“We had more questions about what parents’ jobs were on the base and how that impacted the students,” Ray said. “We wanted to gain a better understanding of what the students’ lives were like at home and what it meant when they said their parents were in the field.”
The tour began with an observation and hands-on visit to the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. The EOD team gave the school staff insight into their mission and service to Montana as responders when assisting with the disposal of explosives found throughout the state.
Tour attendees were able to put on equipment, control robots used during missions as well as speak to EOD members to answer any questions they may have had.
Afterward, the group was split up into two smaller groups. One group headed to a missile procedures trainer to learn more about Malmstrom’s part of the nuclear deterrence mission.
The MPT is a simulated launch control center where missileers practice scenarios and demonstrate job knowledge to remain proficient in their jobs.
The other group watched an Air Force video of what life is like when missileers deploy to the missile field. Balance is key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle away from family and protecting the country while working 24-hour shifts.
After finishing at the MPT, the group headed to Building 510 where they learned about the Humvee, bearcat and utility trucks used to deliver missileers, security forces and maintenance members to the missile field.
They were able to climb into each vehicle to get a better understanding of these tools and how they help Malmstrom’s Airmen successfully execute the mission each day.
“(This visit) helped build better communication between Malmstrom and the school,” Ray said. “Children come from all different kinds of families and areas. (The tour) helps the teachers understand what the children are going through on a daily basis and makes
our teachers more aware of things that may be going on at home that we were unaware of.”
Leisa Drain, 341st Missile Wing school liaison officer, said it’s important to build communication between the children and teachers as well as between the community and the school.
“I think Malmstrom is a big part of the community,” Drain said. “I think we have a lot of unique situations with our children, especially at Loy. The more the teachers know about our children, the better they can make those connections.”