Earlier in January, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rescinded the August 2021 memo mandating that all members of the U.S. military under DoD authority be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the November 2021 memo on vaccination requirements for the National Guard and Reserves. The change was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for the current fiscal year. As of mid-January, the
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The Montana Air National Guard is updating its fleet of C-130 Hercules planes from four-blade to eight-blade propellers. “There are some huge benefits with the eight-blade props,” Lt. Col. Justin Hutchins, director of operations, said in a release. “The biggest ones are reduced maintenance cost, along with the ability to have better performance.” The 120th Airlift Wing’s plane was sent
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Construction is progressing on the city’s new indoor aquatic and recreation center in Lions Park. The new indoor aquatics and recreations center is 45,000 square feet of new construction that will include a recreation pool, lap pool, gym, fitness center, walking track, multipurpose room, party room, locker rooms, restrooms, child watch area, lobby, offices, storage and mechanical rooms at 900
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The sound of fighter jets have returned to Great Falls this week and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be performing this weekend at the 2022 Flight Over the Falls airshow at the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard. Capt. Daniel Katz will be flying in the No. 6 Thunderbird as the opposing solo during the show
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The U.S. Thunderbirds will take the skies over Great Falls again next weekend at the 2022 Flight Over the Falls at the airport. The airshow is July 23-24 and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Montana Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. The Guard is hosting the event this year, in partnership with Malmstrom Air Force Base, and
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Commissioner unanimously approved a change to the city’s construction contract with Swank Enterprises that reduced the cost by $244,655 for the new indoor aquatic center. The commission awarded the construction contract to Swank in November with a base bid of $17.9 million and an alternate for $354,000 for about 45,000 square feet of new construction, site work such as excavation,
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The 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base are hosting the 2022 Flight Over the Falls at the airport July 23-24. The U.S. Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform. Daines honors Piano Pat, WW2 veteran; visits Malmstrom, 120th Airlift Wing Col. Trace Thomas, 120th commander, told City Commissioners in June 2021 that the Thunderbirds
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C-130s from the 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard have been transferred to Chile, Colombia and Romania. The older C-130 models at the 120th had been replaced by newer models beginning in June 2021. Two of the older C-130s went to Chile in April, two went to Colombia in September 2021 and the last one went to
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Several local groups are feeling the troops again this holiday. Joann Gogo spearheaded the effort and teamed up with the Enbär/The Block partners again to provide about 130 meals for airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard who are working on Christmas Day. The Christmas dinners are funded by Enbar, Gogo, the Military Affairs Committee
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Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited Malmstrom Air Force Base on Dec. 22. Sen. Jon Tester, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, invited the secretary earlier this month and on Wednesday, the secretary toured the based with Sen. Steve Daines. In an interview with The Electric, Daines said he and the secretary met with the base
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