Senator Tester Visits Malmstrom Air Force Base

Big Sandy native and United States Senator Jon Tester is working close to home this week, paying visits to several Montana cities. Today, the Senator spent some time in Great Falls, and took a tour at Malmstrom Air Force Base, to discuss base housing development, as well as met with Wing Commander Michael Fortney.

About 940 houses are in use at Malmstrom, and with ongoing construction and renovation, there will be more than 1,100 by 2013. Senator Tester was on hand to get an inside look at some brand new homes that will soon be occupied by enlisted Airmen and their families.

"We're here to get an update from Colonel Fortney on what's going on with the project. Also, to discuss the potential job creation and who the contracts are going to."

The housing neighborhoods on base are named after missiles: Jupiter, Titan, Atlas, Peacekeeper, Matador and Minuteman. The Senator took a break from the tour to talk about the value of the base.

"I continue to talk to the military folks in Washington, D.C. about how great this base is. We will continue to look for additional missions for Malmstrom air force base."

While on base, the Senator expressed his continued commitment to Malmstrom. He currently serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, as well as the very influential Appropriations Committee.

"Malmstrom is critically important not just to Great Falls and Montana, but also to the nation.”

This week the Senator also made stops in Kalispell, Helena, Lewistown, and Billings, meeting with business owners about the challenges they face during these tough economic times.