Space Command Chaplain visits Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Impressed.

That is what one chaplain said he was after meeting and hearing about the young Airmen performing the mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate, Air Force Space Command Chaplain, was given mission briefings by chapel staff and senior leadership; he also conducted one-on-one interviews with chapel staff and spoke with Airmen on base during his one-day visit here Sept. 3.

In the same manner chaplains at Malmstrom travel to missile alert facilities to check on the well-being of Airmen, Chaplain Tate's goal is to ensure the chapel staff members in Space Command are doing well. To determine their condition, he simply asks, "How are you? How is your family?"

"No doubt about it, our chaplains and chaplain assistants need to be physically, emotionally and spiritually fit in order to take care of the Malmstrom community," Chaplain Tate said. "First we need to take care of ourselves, then we can go be great wingmen for one another."

The chaplain also gave base chapel staff feedback on their mission. Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Muschinske, 341st Missile Wing, wing chaplain, said Chaplain Tate affirmed the ministry focus at Malmstrom. "Clearly the chapel staff is fulfilling the Chaplain Corp's vision to glorify God, serve Airmen and pursue excellence."

"'Being there' for Malmstrom Airmen, from the youngest first-termer to our commanders, is always a key. In the Chaplain Corps we talk about it as a 'ministry of presence'," Chaplain Muschinske said. "That ministry is carried out not only on Malmstrom, but in the missile field."

Following a chapel mission briefing, wing mission briefing and interviews with the chapel staff, Chaplain Tate completed his visit to Malmstrom by visiting Airmen at the Detour with members of the chapel staff.

"My heartbeat is with the Airmen," Chaplain Tate said. "Everywhere I have been today, it is obvious our young Airmen are taking care of the mission. They are in charge of extremely lethal weaponry that protects our nation. I am impressed with the challenges they face each day, the distances they travel to complete the mission, and the amount of responsibility so early in their careers."

Chaplain Tate said when he visits most bases, the Airmen are on base, but at Malmstrom, the Airmen are in the field.

"Next time I come to Malmstrom, I want to spend more time at the launch facilities and be with the Airmen at work in the field," he said. "Simply said, Airmen are our pride and joy. It is an honor to serve as the senior chaplain in Air Force Space Command.