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The News Station's Aaron Flint offers us a rare look at the war in Afghanistan with a look at the front lines from two men who made the trip to the war zone to bring us an up-close look at the mission. Together, retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Fleet Lentz, a Vietnam veteran, and Mike Overstreet, a former U.S. Marine and now president of an aviation company, offer a unique look at how Montana and... more »

Being an active member of the military takes more than just physical and mental strength, which is why there is a special program at Malmstrom Air Force Base to keep airmen and their families healthy. Malmstrom's deputy civil engineer John Hale knows that staying healthy is more than just being physically active; he noted, "I had some elevated levels of cholesterol, and some signs that I might be doing some things wrong." So he enrolled... more »

Many airmen and soldiers around Montana are preparing for overseas deployments, but at Malmstrom Air Force Base, there is a new way these military members can be in their own homes, even while they are thousands of miles away. It's called the "Reading For Readiness" program, and it offers deploying troops the opportunity to record a personal video greeting to be seen by their families on DVD, after they leave. Lieutenant Colonel Donald Jones, deputy... more »

A special unit at Malmstrom Air Force Base trains to protect Montana from improvised explosive devices, and in this edition of Military Matters , Ashley Korslien meets the Airmen who put their lives on the line to protect others. For the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) at Malmstrom, a robotic explosives detector makes the job of handling explosives a lot safer. Staff Sergeant Tanner Tilton explained, "F-6 A, it's capable of lifting 100 pounds when... more »

A special ceremony was held at Malmstrom Air Force Base on Thursday, as work crews and kids broke ground for an addition to the base Child Development Center. The four-classroom addition to the facility will allow more children to attend the facility, provide an extra 7,300-square feet of classroom space, and add 15 new jobs. Base personnel say the addition will provide more than just extra space; Colonel John Patricola, the 341st Mission Support Group... more »

Keeping the wheels turning at Malmstrom Air Force Base takes a lot of effort; with 660 vehicles on base, the Vehicle Management Flight stays busy maintaining combat-ready cars and trucks for nuclear deterrence. Airman 1st Class Stephanie Shelton noted, "They get stuck in the mud a lot, after it snows. Everything gets really moist after a whole bunch of rain so we have vehicles come in here that are all muddy, and it makes it... more »

More people enlist in the military when the economy is at a low point, but many Montana residents have a deeper desire to serve than just a paycheck. Great Falls native Allison Glass, a new military enlistee, said, "I joined the Army National Guard and I leave in two weeks for basic training." Like many new recruits, the 23-year old joined for the financial assistance offered by the military and said, "I wanted to join... more »

For many members of the military, returning home from overseas can be a difficult thing to discuss with their friends and family, but Air Force veteran and nurse Nancy LaChapelle is doing more than just talking about her deployment - she is giving back to the country she served in, using her words to share the experience. LaChapelle, who retired from the Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 2008 and now lives in... more »

Airmen at the Montana Air National Guard worked in a simulated war zone on Saturday as part of their Operational Readiness Exercise, with over 600 members taking part in 192 scenarios for phase two of the O.R.E. Units such as the 120th Medical Group performed job duties in a simulated deployed hostile location. The airmen experienced scenarios including snipers, explosions, chemical and biological attacks, and communication outages. The purpose of the exercise is to ensure... more »

The Montana Air National Guard officially kicked off an Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE) on Wednesday. The ORE consists of exercises aimed at testing and improving the skills of the airmen in a simulated deployed hostile environment. MANG members will perform daily tasks like loading weapons, flying aircraft, and securing the base from enemy combatants. The exercise will also serve as milestone for the 120th Fighter Wing as it completes the transition... more »