History

Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom Col. Einar Axel Malmstrom, born on July 14, 1907, in Chicago, Ill., enlisted as a private in the Washington State National Guard on May 12, 1929. Initially called to active federal service at Parkwater, Washington, on Sept. 16, 1940, as a first lieutenant, eventually he moved to the European Theater of Operations and assumed command of the 356th Fighter Group in November 1943. On April 24, 1944, while flying his 58th combat mission, he was shot down over France and taken prisoner of war. During the year he spent as a prisoner, he was the American commander of the south compound, POW Camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany. For this duty, he was awarded the Bronze Star. On his return to the United States in May 1945, he was assigned as air inspector for the 312th Base Unit, Barksdale, La., the 19th Tactical Air Command, Biggs Field, Texas, and at Granville, S.C. Following these tours Colonel Malmstrom moved to Langley AFB, Va., where he served as deputy for reserve forces, 9th Air Force, until August 1949, when he was enrolled as a student at the Air War College. After completing the course, he was assigned as the senior Air Force instructor at the Army War College for three years. From this post he was sent to Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, as division director of personnel, serving in that capacity until he transferred to the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls AFB, Mont., on Feb. 1, 1954 as deputy wing commander. After only six months as deputy commander Colonel Malmstrom was killed in an aircraft accident on Aug. 21, 1954, near the city of Great Falls. He was survived by his wife, Kathryn, a son and a daughter. Malmstrom Air Force Base Malmstrom Air Force Base traces its beginnings back to 1939, when World War II broke out in Europe. Concern about the war caused the local Chamber of Commerce to contact two Montana senators, Burton K. Wheeler and James E. Murray and request they consider development of a military installation in Great Falls. In November 1942, a survey team evaluated an area near the Green Mill Dance Club and Rainbow Dam Road approximately six miles east of Great Falls. Great Falls, along with ten other northern tier sparsely populated sites, was considered for a heavy bomber training base. Construction began on Great Falls Army Air Base in late spring in 1942. The base was informally known as East Base since the 7th Ferrying Group was stationed at municipal airport on Gore Hill. Its mission was to establish an air route between Great Falls and Ladd Field, Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of the United States Lend-Lease Program that supplied the Soviet Union with aircraft and supplies needed to fight the German Army. Great Falls Army Air Base was assigned to 2nd Air Force and the first B-17 Flying Fortress landed on Nov. 30, 1942. Four Bombardment Groups, the 2nd, 385th, 390th, and 401st, trained at Great Falls from November 1942 to October 1943. Group Headquarters and one of the Groups four squadrons were stationed in Great Falls with the other squadrons stationed at Cut Bank, Glasgow and Lewistown, Mo. Aircraft would take off at a predetermined time, form up in squadron formation over their respective location, and later, over central Montana, join up in group formation. These bombardment groups went on to participate in decisive raids over Germany opening the door for Allied daylight precision bombing. Upon completion of the B-17 training program, in October 1943, Great Falls Army Air Base was transferred to the Air Transport Command and units from Gore Field-transferred to the base. More buildings were constructed this year, including a consolidated mess, a Post Exchange, a theater and a 400-bed hospital. Moreover, the Lend Lease Program continued which included P-39, C-47, B-25 and A-20 aircraft. B-25 Mitchell Bombers arrived by rail and were assembled on base, others were flown in by both military and Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs). These aircraft were later flown by U.S. pilots by way of the Alaskan-Siberian Route (ALSIB) through Canada, to Fairbanks, Alaska, and transferred to Russian pilots who in turn flew them into Siberia. A total of 1,717,712 pounds of cargo containing aircraft parts, tools miscellaneous equipment, explosives and medical supplies were shipped through Great Falls Army Air Base to Russia. Aircraft shipments to the Soviet Union stopped in September 1945, when World War II ended, with approximately 8,000 aircraft having been processed in a 21-month period. Following WWII, Great Falls Army Air Base assumed a support mission for military personnel assigned to Alaskan military installations. A reserve training unit was established here for the 4th Air Force from Oct. 10, 1946, to March 6, 1947. In September 1947, the United States Air Force became a separate service and the base's name changed to Great Falls Air Force Base. Just as the U.S. Air Force came into being the "Cold War" heated up when the Soviet Union closed all land travel between West Germany and West Berlin. The United States and Britain vowed not to abandon West Berliners to the Berlin Blockade. On June 25, 1948, President Harry S. Truman initiated "OPERATION VITTLES," the strategic airlift of supplies to Berlins 2,000,000 inhabitants. Great Falls AFB played a critical role in assuring the success of this vital operation. Officials selected the base as the only replacement aircrew training site for Berlin Airlift-bound C-54s, officially activating the 517th Air Transport Wing. Using radio beacons, Great Falls AFB was transformed to resemble Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany. Hundreds of pilots and Flight Engineers, many of whom were recalled to active duty, were qualified on the C-54 aircraft and on Sight procedures to and from Berlin by practicing on ground mock-ups and flying simulated airlift missions. After the training mission for Berlin concluded, the 517th Air Transport Wing was re-designated the 1701st Air Transport Wing. The primary mission for the wing became the routing and scheduling of flights throughout the Pacific Ocean region in support of allied forces in the Korean Conflict. The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) reopened the C-54 Flight Training School as the 1272 Medium Transition Training Unit in May 1950, one month before the Korean War began. The 1701st ATW was later replaced by the 1300th Air Base Wing and the 582nd Air Resupply and Communications Squadron. Great Falls AFB has also played a major aerial defense role in North American Air Defense mission. The 29th Air Division activated at Great Falls AFB in early 1950, bringing with them fighter interceptor squadrons, an aircraft control and warning squadron, and ground observer detachments. The 29th Fighter Interceptor Squadron activated in 1953 and remained at Great Falls until 1968. In 1954, the Air Force assigned the base to Strategic Air Command and the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing came to Great Falls AFB. The Wing's F-84 fighters and KB-29 air refuelers were to provide fighter escort for SACs longrange B-36 bombers. On Aug. 21, the 407th SFW Vice Commander, Col. Einar Axel Malmstrom, died when his T-33 crashed approximately one mile west of the airport at Gore Field. Although his tenure was short, he was well-liked by the local community. It was the local civilian community that led the efforts to rename Great Falls AFB for Col. Malmstrom. On June 15, 1956, the base was officially dedicated as Malmstrom AFB. In 1957, Malmstrom AFB became part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) responsible for the 24th NORAD region, which covered the western half of North America. This air defense region comprised four fighter/interceptor squadrons and radar sites stretching from the Rocky Mountains, halfway across North Dakota and extended north to the northern border of Canada. The 24th also served as the NORAD alternate command post, which remained active until 1983. When the Air Force deactivated the 407th SFW in 1957, the 4061st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) activated at Malmstrom AFB. The 407th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) and their KB-29s were joined by the 97th ARS and their KC-97s to form the wing. The 4061st ARW Sew their missions from Malmstrom AFB until July 1961. The 341st Strategic Missile Wing activated at Malmstrom AFB on July 15, 1961. Construction of the wings first launch facility began in March 1961 and was completed in December. The 10th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) activated Nov.1, 1961 and Alpha-01, the first launch control facility, was completed in July 1962. The first Minuteman1 ICBM arrived on base by rail July 23, 1962. Just four days after the missiles arrival, Launch Facility Alpha-09 gained the title of the first Minuteman missile site. The 12th SMS and 490th SMS activated in March and May 1962, respectively. Later that same year the missiles assigned to the nation's first Minuteman ICBM wing would play a major role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. On Oct. 26, at 11:16 am, the 10th SMSs launch facility Alpha-06 went on "strategic alert" after it was discovered the Soviet Union had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba. Over the next four days the wing placed four more missiles on alert, with the last missile from Alpha Sight achieving alert status Nov. 10. The Soviets eventually removed their missiles from Cuba and the 10th SMS became America's first operational Minuteman squadron—the nation's "Ace in the Hole." On July 3, 1963, following 28 months of construction, the wing and its three squadrons became operational. Each squadron controlled 50 missiles, bringing the total wing strength to 150 Minuteman I missiles. Two years later, construction began on the fourth and final squadron, the 564th SMS. This squadron was equipped with the more modern Minuteman II missiles. On May 5, 1967, the 564th SMS became fully operational. Malmstrom's missile field was now the largest in the United States, covering 23,500 square miles. Two years later, the 10th, 12th and 490th SMSs were also upgraded to the Minuteman II missiles, increasing the wing's capabilities to four missile squadrons equipped with a total of 200 Minuteman II missiles. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the wing's missiles remained on alert and underwent extensive weapons systems upgrades. The 17th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron, equipped with EB-57 Canberras, activated here in the 1970s to train NORAD air defense personnel in electronic countermeasures. In 1988, the Hardened Mobile Launcher for the Small ICBM was tested at Malmstrom AFB to verify its ability to operate in harsh winter conditions. A major restructuring occurred in 1989 when SAC relocated the 40th Air Division to Malmstrom AFB and assigned it host responsibilities for both the newly activated 301st ARW and the 341st Strategic Missile Wing. The 301st ARW deployed to Moon Island in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. During this time period the 301st Sew 443 Combat Sorties refueling 936 coalition aircraft, and transferring 33.5 Million pounds of fuel. The 341st Strategic Missile Wing deployed security, civil engineering, services and support personnel in support of the action. On June 14, 1991, the 40th Air Division deactivated, returning host responsibilities back to the 341st SMW. On Sept. 1, 1991, the 341 SMW became the 341st Missile Wing. Also in 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, was officially formalized. President Bush took all Minuteman II missiles, bombers and tankers off alert status on Sept. 27. In November 1991, the 12th Missile Squadrons Launch Facility J-03 became the first to have its missile removed in compliance with the order. It would be three and one half years, until the last Minuteman II in the Air Force inventory was removed from Kilo-11 on Aug. 10, 1995. As Minuteman II missiles were removed, a new program called Rivet Add was launched, modifying the 150 Minuteman II launch facilities to accommodate the newer Minuteman III. In the early 1990s, host responsibilities changed several times do to massive Air Force restructuring programs. On Jan. 15, 1992, Malmstrom's host responsibilities were again transferred, this time to the Air Mobility Command's 301st ARW. Later, on June 1, 1992, the Air Force restructured its major commands, deactivating SAC and replacing it with Air Combat Command (ACC). The 301st ARW became re-designated as the 43rd ARW. In July 1993, responsibility for the nations ICBM force then transferred to Air Force Space Command. The 341 MW transferred from ACC to Air Force Space Command and the 43rd ARW became redesignated as a group, transferring host responsibilities back to the 341st MW. In 1995, the installation of the Rapid Execution and Combat Targeting, or REACT, signaled the first complete overhaul of the Minuteman IIIs command and control systems. In addition to REACT, the wing completed the transfer of 120 Minuteman III ICBMs from Grand Forks AFB's, 321st Missile Group to Malmstrom. This brought the wing strength to 200 Minuteman Ills on alert status—the first time since 1991 it had a full compliment of a single weapon system. The 1995 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission led to the deactivation of the 43rd Air Refueling Group with its aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Base Wing at MacDill AFB, Fla. On Jan. 1, 1997, Malmstrom's runway deactivated for the first time in the bases history. Later that year, the 819th RED HORSE Squadron arrived. It was the first AF squadron to consist of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists. The squadron provided a combat engineering force to military and humanitarian operations worldwide on short notice. The latest addition to Malmstrom's mission, the Network Operations Center, performed passive space surveillance and provided users with reliable tracking of near earth and deep space satellites. Malmstrom's physical appearance has undergone many changes since 1995. In addition to the wing being re-designated the 341st Space Wing in October 1995, construction of new and the renovation of old family housing, dormitories, work facilities and general base infrastructure have transformed the base's image and upgraded utilities. These improvements to the mission and quality of life resulted in Malmstrom being named the best Air Force installation in the continental United States in 1999. The wing's Minuteman Missiles have also undergone improvements and upgrades. An extensive life extension program is under way to keep the missiles safe, secure, and effective well into the 21st Century. These major programs include: replacement of the aging guidance system, remanufacture of the solid propellant rocket motors, replacement of standby power systems, repair of launch facilities, and installation of updated, survivable communications equipment. In 2007, the 564th MS began the process of inactivation and the 50 Minuteman III missiles in the squadron began the process of deactivation. In August 2008, the 564th MS was inactivated. Although the wing lost a squadron and 50 missiles, efforts continue to extend the life of the Air Force ICBM force to 2020 and beyond insuring that Malmstrom AFB and the remaining squadrons have a bright future extending well into the 21st century. On July 1, 2008, the 341st Space Wing was re-designated the 341st Missile Wing, just as it had been on Sept. 1, 1991. On Dec. 1, 2009, the 341st Missile Wing, was transferred from Air Force Space Command to Air Force Global Strike Command. Malmstrom's Historic Exhibit and Air Park The Museum and Air Park are located just inside Malmstrom main gate at the East end of 2nd Avenue North. Civilian passes are available at the gates Visitor Center. Admission is free. The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round; however it is closed on Federal Holidays. Please call (406) 731-2705 in advance for special arrangements and group tours. Exterior displays include a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, UH-1 Huey Helicopter, KC-97G Stratotanker, T-33 Shooting Star, EB-57 Canberra, F-101B Voodoo, F-84F Thunderstreak, 1942 Ford Staff Car, 1963 Dodge response ambulance, Minuteman III ICBM, Minuteman Transporter Erector and an early mobile RADAR van. Visitors may walk through the Air Park during daylight hours. Inside the museum you will find one of the largest military model aircraft displays in the northwest, a World War II Barracks reconstruction; a diorama depicting the bases involvement in the Lend Lease program; an AIR-2A Genie Rocket, the only deployed air-to-air weapon with a nuclear warhead; Semi Automated Ground Equipment (SAGE), to include the consoles, large memory core and data drum; a mock MK-11 Re- Entry Vehicle, the warhead portion of a Minuteman II Missile, and Guidance Assembly; early Minuteman Launch Control Center; Minuteman Silo cutaway; Minuteman III Propulsion System Rocket Engine and Guidance Set; Minuteman II Commanders and Deputy launch consoles and an extensive display of military uniforms. The museum plays a video that educates visitors on the current mission of Malmstrom. The Malmstrom Historical Foundation operates a gift shop with a wide selection of souvenirs at reasonable prices.  read more...

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