Max Baucus, Senator from Montana: Defense

Defense

Protecting Malmstrom Air Force Base

As a member of the Air Force and Space Power Caucus in Congress, I have fought hard to keep the Malmstrom mission secure. In light of the Department of Defense’s recent decision to deactivate the 564th missile squadron, I reiterate my commitment to protecting the missions at Malmstrom and to securing a new mission for the base.

I have been a leader in bringing a new mission to Malmstrom – most recently meeting with the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff in Great Falls to highlight all the great assets Malmstrom has to offer. I asked Secretary Donley and General Schwartz to take a hard look at bringing new missions to Malmstrom, including an Active Association between the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom. The Air Force is also considering a new energy mission that would create good-paying jobs, boost domestic energy, and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

I’ve been working hard to make Malmstrom a world-class military facility. I helped secure $140 million for housing units at Malmstrom that were needed to accommodate the growing needs of military families and personnel. I also fought to secure $7 million to build a new community activities center at Malmstrom. Additionally, I secured $13.5 million for a new physical Fitness Center at Malmstrom. This facility is vital for the health, moral and welfare of the military personnel, readying them for their missions.

I also fought to save the Montana Air National Guard’s mission in Montana. After a Pentagon report recommended moving the mission to another state, I hosted meetings with other missile state Senators and coordinated with General James Cartwright, the former Commander of STRATCOM, and General Tom Deppe, the former Commander of the 20th Air Force. My leadership led to the restoration of the Air National Guard’s mission—saving nearly a thousand jobs for the Great Falls community. Our advocacy on behalf of the Montana Air National Guard has also helped land Great Falls on the Air Force’s Road map of future site for F-22s and F-35s—which shows that the future of the Montana Air National Guard’s mission is secure.

In the upcoming year Senator Tester and I will continue to fight for the future of Malmstrom. If we succeed in this endeavor, hundreds of new jobs will move to the Great Falls area.