Keeping the fight moving

Photo By Master Sgt. Devin Doskey | Senior Airman Connor Atwood, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance journeyman, performs routine repairs on a Humvee June 11, 2019, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The general purpose shop works on several squadrons' vehicles, but their top priority is supporting security forces because of their vehicles’ exposure to extreme road conditions and tough terrain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Devin Doskey)  

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, UNITED STATES

06.14.2019

Story by Devin Doskey 

341st Missile Wing

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT – Malmstrom Air Force Base is home to the largest missile field complex in the U.S. and the personnel who work on them.
Security forces members, maintainers, operators and facility managers travel every day to ensure the combat readiness of Malmstrom weapons systems facilities infrastructure across a 13,800 square-mile missile complex.
Transport vehicles and armored Humvees are critical to effectively accomplishing the base’s nuclear mission.
The members of the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron general purpose maintenance shop are responsible for keeping these vehicles running smoothly.
“Malmstrom assets are located across a vast area, which can require long travel times,” said Master Sgt. Bradley Kecker, 341st LRS general purpose maintenance NCO in-charge. “We make sure the vehicles are ready so Airmen can successfully do their jobs.”
Fourteen maintenance personnel keep 504 blue fleet vehicles and 95 Humvees serviceable for mission success.
“It is a balancing act between maintaining our blue fleet and Humvees,” said Kecker. “When our vehicles come for repairs, we conduct a bumper to bumper inspection to ensure we complete any additional maintenance that may be needed.”
The general purpose maintenance shop works on several squadrons' vehicles, but their top priority is supporting security forces because of their vehicles’ exposure to extreme road conditions and tough terrain.
Day-to-day operations consist of routine oil changes, replacing damaged parts, engine overhaul and electrical issues.
“I enjoy the challenges of my job; I learn new things each day and gain more experience,” said Senior Airman Connor Atwood, 341st LRS vehicle maintenance journeyman. “We work as team to complete projects and support the base mission.”
America’s alert ICBMs are ready to launch on any given day, and the ICBM team plays a critical role in maintaining global security and ensuring the nation’s safety and security. As the nation’s “silent sentinel,” ICBMs and the Airmen who operate and defend them have remained on continuous, around-the-clock alert since 1959.
The dedicated work of the general purpose maintenance shop, allows defenders, missileers, maintainers and other critical personnel to provide nuclear deterrence and global assurance anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365.

• Date Taken: 06.14.2019
• Date Posted: 06.14.2019 16:16
• Story ID: 327549
• Location: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, US