Malmstrom Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Malmstrom Air Force Base is located immediately adjacent to Great Falls, Montana, and serves as one of three ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) bases in the United States. Home to the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom operates and maintains the Minuteman III ICBM force across a vast missile field covering approximately 13,800 square miles of central Montana. The base is named for Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom, a World War II pilot killed in a 1954 training accident at the base. Malmstrom’s strategic nuclear mission, combined with the vast and remote missile fields, makes it one of the most strategically significant Air Force installations in the world.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Maintain and operate Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles to provide a credible nuclear deterrent as part of the U.S. nuclear triad.
Major Units: 341st Missile Wing (host wing); 341st Operations Group (ICBM operations, Minuteman III); 341st Maintenance Group; 341st Medical Group; 819th RED HORSE Squadron
Tenant Units: Air National Guard 120th Airlift Wing (C-130H3 aircraft); various Air Force Space Command support elements; Federal Bureau of Investigation (small detachment)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Great Falls, MT (population approximately 60,000) immediately adjacent
Nearest Commercial Airport: Great Falls International Airport (GTF) – immediately adjacent to base (shared civilian/military airfield)
Gate Access: Main gate on 2nd Ave North; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; missile field operations involve controlled access to launch facilities across central Montana

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,000
Family Members: Approximately 4,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 10,000

Key Facilities

Medical: 341st Medical Group Clinic; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and flight medicine; specialty referrals to Benefis Health System in Great Falls (largest hospital between Seattle and Minneapolis); Malmstrom AFB has a robust clinic given remote location
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES exchange and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; indoor pool; golf course; bowling; auto skills; outdoor recreation in Montana (hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking) is outstanding – one of the best outdoor recreation environments in the Air Force
Schools: Great Falls Public Schools serves military families; no DoDEA schools; Great Falls schools are generally acceptable with strong extracurricular programs
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common given limited off-post alternatives; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; appointments required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; mix of family housing and unaccompanied quarters; on-post housing is highly valued given Great Falls housing market limitations; condition generally good
Average Wait Time: Can be significant; Great Falls housing market is limited; recommend applying 6+ months in advance if possible
Off-Post Housing: Great Falls city and surrounding areas offer off-post options; affordable by any standard; average rent approximately $1,000-$1,600/month for 3-bedroom home; small city character with limited options
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 341st Missile Wing sponsorship program; missile operations TDY requirements (alert duty away from home) are a lifestyle factor new arrivals should understand
In-Processing: 341st Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; missile field orientation and security briefings required for operational personnel
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Great Falls specialist services are limited; specialty care may require travel to Billings, Helena, or Missoula

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid continental; warm summers (average high 84F/29C in July); very cold winters (average low 11F/-12C in January); famous for Chinook winds that can raise temperatures dramatically in winter; Great Falls is known as the “Electric City” for its waterfalls on the Missouri River
Cost of Living: Very low; Great Falls is one of the most affordable places in the U.S.; no state income tax on military pay in Montana; excellent value for outdoor recreation enthusiasts
Nearby Attractions: Giant Springs State Park and Missouri River recreation (5 miles); Glacier National Park (2 hours – one of the most spectacular parks in the U.S.); Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; Little Belt Mountains (skiing, hunting); Yellowstone National Park (5 hours); fly fishing on world-class Montana rivers
Spouse Employment: Very limited in Great Falls; largest employers are Benefis Health System, Great Falls Public Schools, and the base itself; remote work is critical for many spouses; A&FRC assists; Montana agricultural economy offers some niche opportunities

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.malmstrom.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (406) 731-1110
MWR Website: https://341fss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Malmstrom AFB; (406) 731-3040; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support; alert duty support programs for missile crew families

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.malmstrom.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/malmstrom-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MalmstromAirForce_Base