341st Missile Wing conducts base-wide readiness exercise

GREAT FALLS, MT, UNITED STATES

10.24.2023

Story by Airman Hannah Hardy 

341st Missile Wing

This year’s final iteration of Grizzly Rampart, a
training exercise, concluded on October 20. The exercise was implemented to allow Airmen to
train alongside local law enforcement during a simulated crisis.
The two-day event began on October 19 near Lewistown, Montana, and Airmen worked
through the night to execute protocols and team coordination capabilities.
This iteration of Grizzly Rampart provided an opportunity for Airmen to train within the
341st Missile Wing’s missile complex and participate in the Local Integrated Response Plan and
Response Task Force alongside Lewistown first responders.
“Exercises like this help us understand the bigger picture of why we must be combat-
ready in today’s world,” said 1st Lt. Vernon Nazareno, 341st Missile Security Operations
Squadron tactical response force commander. “It also strengthens our integrated capabilities to
streamline and simplify the process and communication for future operations and develops a
better understanding of how local agencies are a big part of the nuclear mission.”
The exercise focused on a simulated launch facility attack, which required responding
Airmen to think on their feet and execute previously learned training tactics. The simulated
attack presented a multitude of scenarios to include emergency medical incidents, shelter
construction during a crisis and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination
procedures.
The exercise is intended to be carried out as if it were an actual emergency, which means
all exercise participants trained like they fight.

“We learned as first responders that we can’t assume what a response could look like,
because it could happen at any time,” said Tech. Sgt. Amanda Kopecky, 341 st Civil Engineer
Squadron. “Understanding our equipment fully and training under a variety of conditions and
scenarios is vital to adapting so we can accomplish the mission expediently.”
Exercises like Grizzly Rampart highlight the importance of every Airman, Guardian, and
civilian counterpart in the role they play to maintain the 341st Missile Wing’s operational
readiness as the most dominant nuclear-capable force in the world; ready at all times to protect
and, if necessary, employ the most powerful weapon system in human existence.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2023
• Date Posted: 10.31.2023 10:59
• Story ID: 456461
• Location: GREAT FALLS, MT, US