Tester and new top General talk Malmstrom, national security

Incoming head of Twentieth Air Force brings lengthy Malmstrom experience

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today met with the new commanding General overseeing Malmstrom Air Force Base to discuss the base’s importance to America’s national security.

Major General Donald Alston, will assume command on July 1 of the Twentieth Air Force, which is responsible for maintaining and operating America’s three Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) bases—including Malmstrom, based in Great Falls, Mont.

Tester and General Alston, a former Malmstrom base commander, discussed Malmstrom’s role within the ICBM force, and how to continue to grow the Air Force’s presence at Malmstrom.

Tester also reminded General Alston of Malmstrom’s importance to America’s overall national security.

“General Alston knows Malmstrom very well, and I’m glad to have him in this critically important job,” said Tester, a member of the Air Force Caucus and the ICBM Coalition.  “I look forward to working with him and other senior leaders to keep the Air Force at Malmstrom for a long time to come.”

General Alston has held three different commands at Malmstrom.  He was a leading expert in the U.S. Department of Defense during the recent Nuclear Posture Review and is considered an expert within the Air Force on nuclear policies.