Great Falls Puts Up Fight For Base Thousands Turn Out To Oppose Closure Of Malmstrom

The city turned out en masse Friday to fire a doublebarreled blast of support for Malmstrom Air Force Base at three members of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

It was a flag-waving offense in defense of both the military and economic value of Montana’s only air base.

Supporters vigorously defended the Pentagon’s recommendation to shift additional Minuteman missiles to Malmstrom from North Dakota bases in Grand Forks and Minot.

The day before, at a hearing in Grand Forks, commissioners heard North Dakotans argue their missiles should stay put and Malmstrom should be closed to save more money.

Retired Brig. Gen. Teddy Rinebarger, a former Malmstrom missile wing commander, said the military clearly considers Malmstrom the better missile wing.

Great Falls leaders also marshalled a strong argument against the Pentagon’s recommendation that Malmstrom’s 12 remaining refueling aircraft be transferred to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. That shift would cost Malmstrom 778 military jobs.

Spiels of support came from Gov. Marc Racicot and other officials - all accompanied by loud cheers from an estimated 1,200 people in the Civic Center.

Thousands lined the motorcade route in a show of support for Malmstrom.