Malmstrom welcomes new vice commander

Courtesy Photo | Col. Steven Folds is the new 341st Missile Wing vice commander. Previously, Folds was director of operations for Task Force 214 based in F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. (Courtesy photo)  

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, UNITED STATES

05.29.2015

Story by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt 

341st Missile Wing

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. - Malmstrom Air Force Base has seen many commanders and vice commanders lead its Airmen with excellence throughout the years. Sadly, their time of leadership must come to an end to make way for new leaders to fill their shoes, and press on with the mission of maintaining America’s elite nuclear deterrence force.

For Malmstrom, the loss of an exemplary leader to retirement has left some big shoes to fill, figuratively speaking, and a daily mission still in need of completion.

To fill these shoes, Col. Jay Folds, 341st Missile Wing vice commander, was welcomed to the team. With him comes deep experience in nuclear operations from the wing to the Joint Staff level, a distinctive service and a knowledge base that has grown to meet the needs of the very specialized mission the base has.

Coming from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, Folds’ previous assignment was one where he had dual responsibilities as director of Operations for 20th Air Force, and as Task Force 214 director.

No stranger to Big Sky Country as well, the new vice commander was also previously stationed at Malmstrom, completing various assignments within the 341st Operations Group, 564th Missile Squadron and 341st Operations Support Squadron.

“Col. Marné Deranger, former 341st Missile Wing vice commander, is irreplaceable,” said Folds. “She is a great leader who is loved by everybody and has done some amazing work. Taking her place is honestly a little intimidating.

“She has served the nation very well and had an incredible career,” he continued. “I am very proud of her service and will certainly try to carry on her legacy.”

According to Folds, the transition back to Malmstrom, the Great Falls area and Wing One has been a smooth one.

Recalling his previous assignment at the installation, Folds spoke of old friends and fond memories he and his family acquired during their last stay, but was unsure his family would welcome their third move in as many summers.

“I was braced for impact when I went home to tell Team Folds we were moving again this summer,” said Folds. “In terms of transitioning, it’s worked out beautifully. As a matter of fact, my family was so excited that they came up here before me.”

When he broke the news to his family, he half expected to hear a few choice words due to the sudden nature of his orders, which he received prior to his one-year mark at Task Force 214 to fulfill Deranger’s position.

Yet, when he sat his children down on the couch to share the news with them, as he had done with every previous assignment, they supported him as his very own little wingmen and even had a hard time containing their excitement, he said.

Folds also credits his wife, Angie, as a huge support to what he does and an integral part to his success with keeping a family together and organized with so many moves.

As he transitions to his new leadership position, Folds has made it clear that he will do his best to support Col. Wilcox and his priorities. For Folds, team effort is essential to accomplishing the mission effectively.

The leadership team at Malmstrom is phenomenal, he believes.

“Everyone on the installation deserves to be proud of themselves,” he said. “From the young tacticians and technicians and all the way up, it’s been one team one fight.”

To play my role and to be a great teammate to the commander and the rest of Wing One is my goal,” he said. “In terms of priorities, playing my role to help Wing One provide precision combat capability, take care of our Airmen and their families, and modernize the force [is what I aim to accomplish].”

Those priorities, which are strongly advocated on a daily basis by Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st MW commander, directly support the priorities that Gen. Jack Weinstein, 20th Air Force commander, has promulgated for the rest of the force.

For Folds, his dedication to the mission and to helping his fellow Airmen become the best they can be is what motivates him every day.

“The best teammates are those that make everyone else around them better,” said Folds. “I want Wing One and all of the ICBM force to be a championship caliber team that gets the mission done without questions, and in that regard, to play my role as a great teammate to all the Airmen on this base.”

• Date Taken: 05.29.2015
• Date Posted: 05.29.2015 18:36
• Story ID: 164964
• Location: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, US
• Hometown: GREAT FALLS, MT, US
• Hometown: WATERTOWN, WI, US