‘What the Hay’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Maintenance Group will be participating in a local event called “What the Hay” on Sept. 11.

“’What the Hay’ is a local community event that welcomes teams around the state of Montana to build statues of hay,” said 2nd Lt. Caitlin Ward, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron facilities maintenance section officer in charge. “The only rule is incorporating the word ‘hay’ into the display.”

The Judith Basin County commissioner reached out to Col. Ken Speidel, 341st MXG commander, and said Malmstrom has never participated in “What the Hay.”

“We took that as a challenge,” said Speidel. “It’s an opportunity to represent the wing out in the community.”

The 341st MXG has a long-standing relationship with the local community due to the nature of their mission.

“We take care of the (launch facility) sites and (the local community) wanted us to participate this year,” said Ward. “They wanted us to do something different and make maintenance feel like part of the community, since we give so much to them.”

Airmen maintain positive relationships with private land owners to ensure that launch facility site maintenance runs as smoothly as possible.

This will be the first year maintenance will participate in “What the Hay.”

“By participating, we support the community, and in return they show appreciation for the country and our missile complex,” said Speidel. “The community supports us and we want to support them.”

“What the Hay” is an event focused on creativity and imagination. Teams must build something out of hay and will be judged on originality and structure.

“We will be building a (payload transporter shaped) structure for the event,” said Ward.

Building a PT made out of hay is the perfect representation of the 341st MXG.

“We wanted to make something that would represent all the squadrons within the group,” said Speidel. “The PT is a symbol of all three squadrons, and they all have a role (with that vehicle).”

According to Speidel, the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron operates PT vehicles, the 741st Maintenance Squadron repairs PTs, and the group as a whole utilizes PTs for multiple situations including transporting materials to and from the weapons storage area.

“Airmen chose (the PT) as their design to build,” said Speidel. “This was their idea and I think it’s a great representation of our group.”

According to Ward, Airmen participating in “What the Hay” helps to build camaraderie and teamwork, while giving back to the community.

The 341st MXG is excited for the event and hopes to support “What the Hay” in the future.

“We’re looking to start this as an annual event at Malmstrom,” said Speidel. “Who knows where this will go but we’re getting ourselves in the door.”

The “What the Hay” contest will take place Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 50 hay bale sculptures will line a 22-mile route from Hobson to Utica and to Windham. Event goers are able to vote for their favorite display.