Military Affairs Committee
Purpose Statement
Foster and promote a better understanding between military personnel and civilians, as well as promoting a strong message of community solidarity for the men and women of our armed forces at Malmstrom AFB, Montana National Guard and Reserves.
The Steve and Penny Kubick Outstanding Volunteer Service Award
This award, hosted/sponsored by the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee, and 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union, honors the service given by Mr. Stephen Kubick and his wife Penny. The award recognizes Great Falls community members for their significant contributions to the Great Falls Community, including support of those who currently wear the military uniform, those who have served our nation and their families in an active duty, guard or reserve role.
Bringing the Military & Community Together
Great Falls has had a long association with the U.S. Military. The first military unit to operate in the area was the Corp of Discovery in 1805. It took about a month for Captains Lewis and Clark and the Corps to portage the falls for which the City is named.
In 1939, the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce started advocating for a military base, and by 1942 Great Falls was involved in air support for World War II in a big way.
In June of 1942, the 7th Ferrying Group set up headquarters at the Municipal Airport and started building Gore Field airbase. Starting that September, Great Falls was the origin point for Lend-Lease aircraft flights to the Soviet Union using the Alaska-Siberian Route. That same year, Great Falls Army Air Base opened on the east side of Great Falls. The "East Base" eventually assumed many of the Lend-Lease ferrying duties which led to the closing of Gore Field in 1945.
In 1947, Great Falls Army Air Base was transferred to the Air Force and became Great Falls Air Force Base. That same year, Gore Field was reactivated as the Montana Air National Guard. Great Falls Air Force Base was renamed Malmstrom Air Force Base in June of 1956. In 2010, units with the Montana Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve were co-located at the Armed Forces Reserve Center near Malmstrom Air Force Base.
The missions have changed over the years, but to this day, Great Falls benefits from these two bases that sit on the east and west sides of our community. The economic impact of these bases is large, as are the contributions the air men and women make in service to our local community.
Get Involved
As a part of the Great Falls Area Chamber, the MAC is also a business-based organization. As such, membership in the MAC is open to any individual who is a member of the Great Falls Chamber and believes in a strong, effective national defense and wishes to actively show support for our uniformed services. MAC members spend their energies on developing and maintaining an environment that economically and culturally supports a viable military presence in our community, and provides a superior quality of life for members of the military and their families.
Military Affairs Resources
Malmstrom AFB: https://www.malmstrom.af.mil/
120th Airlift Wing: https://www.120thairliftwing.ang.af.mil/
Military News Resources
Association of Defense Communities: http://defensecommunities.org/news-2/
Defense News: http://www.defensenews.com/
The Electric: https://theelectricgf.com/
Air Force Association: https://www.afa.org/
National Guard Association: https://www.ngaus.org/
Montana National Guard Association: https://www.ngamt.org
Interested In Joining MAC?
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