Meet the new vice wing commander

By Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs / Published October 31, 2017

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Official photo of 341st Missile Wing Vice Commander Col. Peter Bonetti. Bonetti arrived July 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Col. Peter Bonetti, 341st Missile Wing vice commander, and his wife Natalie in Europe. Bonetti likes to travel, hike, fish, ski, snowboard and spend time with his family in his spare time. (Courtesy photo)

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Beginning his Air Force career at basic military training in 1988 and making his way to staff sergeant, Col. Peter Bonetti commissioned in 1995 and is now serving as the vice wing commander at Malmstrom.

Although Bonetti arrived in July, this is not his first time being stationed at Malmstrom, as he was the commander of the 10th Missile Squadron from 2009 to 2011.

“It’s great to be back with my old family,” Bonetti said. “I loved my first tour here so coming back as the vice wing commander gives me another chance to make a difference and to lead the Malmstrom community.”

Bonetti was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but has roots all over the United States including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Bonetti joined the Air Force after high school. College just wasn’t for him at that point in his life.

“I was lacking the discipline I needed to do it on my own,” Bonetti said. “I thought the military would be a great way to instill some discipline into my life – and little did I know it would.”

Bonetti attended BMT and went on to his first assignment at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, as a medical administrative specialist. It was there, after serving at the clinic, Bonetti wanted to serve in as an officer.

“I knew I could do better and I wanted to do better,” Bonetti said. “So I pushed myself through school and the commissioning process.”

Since his commission, Bonetti said he has had the good fortune to travel to every space and missile unit in the world at least twice.

He has also been stationed at the Pentagon; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; Eglin AFB, Florida; Peterson AFB, Colorado; and Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.

“Every base has a hidden jewel and it’s up to you to find it,” Bonetti said. “It doesn’t matter how cold, warm, humid or isolated it is, they all have a hidden secret. Find it and enjoy it.”

Bonetti said one of his goals while he serves as vice wing commander is to help build and solidify relationships between the base service agencies and our Airmen and their families.

“We need to codify our relationships and our teamwork,” Bonetti said. “I believe focusing on our Airmen and their families is where we need effort.”

In his spare time, Bonetti said he likes to spend time with his wife Natalie and two daughters Megan and Chelsea.

“We like to get out as much as we can,” Bonetti said. “There’s a lot to do and see here in Great Falls.”

Bonetti said he believes in making informed decisions. Basing decisions on fact and not emotions is the best way to ensure the right decisions are being made.

“Everyone has an emotional component to them,” Bonetti said. “We have to make the most of our resources and we do that by making logical decisions.”

Bonetti said he is excited to be back at Malmstrom and to lead with his fellow commanders.

“We have a phenomenal leadership team at Malmstrom,” Bonetti said. “We will work together to better the team, take care of our Airmen and ensure we remain a credible force.”

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