Managing the mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A missile alert facility is not only a workplace for some Airmen at Minot Air Force Base, it is a home away from home. Facility managers hold the responsibility of ensuring this second home remains functioning, clean and most of all, comforting.

"You can think of a facility manager like a hotel manager," said Master Sgt. Sean Walko, 740th Missile Squadron superintendent. "When the Airmen are living out here for days on end, it's our duty as FMs to make sure they are getting everything they need."

Facility managers are trained in routine procedures such as daily upkeep of essential equipment and emergency actions for contingency and combat scenarios: attacks from outside aggressors or extreme weather. Their job directly supports security forces, maintenance and missile combat crew teams that utilize the facilities.

"From the security forces Airman that's guarding the gate for 12 hours because of maintenance, to the chef that's going to be working code change with the kitchen open 24/7. Its multiple levels that make sure the mission goes through," Walko said. "We have to work as a team and we do."

Approximately 60 feet below the surface, the missile crew members are cutoff from all events occurring above ground. Once they descend the elevator to the capsule, they rely on the FM to ensure everything is going right top-side.

"We have to have a good working relationship and trust," Walko said. "They have no idea what's going on top-side unless I give them a call and let them know."

However, the missile crew members aren't the only people the FM needs to have a strong bond with. Security forces members, missile chefs and maintenance personnel also depend on the FM for guidance and mentorship.

"The part of our job that is often overlooked is that we do a lot of supervising and mentoring," Walko said. "Are our Airmen doing their CDCs? Have they begun upgrade training? Is their family life good? These are all things that we have to keep track of to ensure they are setup for success, and they have to be able to trust and confide in us."

The duties of FMs and missile field Airmen are a 24/7, 365 days a year undertaking which often requires them to make personal sacrifices like missing holidays, birthdays and other important events.

"For all those children and spouses that have sacrificed, I want to say thank you," Walko said. "We couldn't do it without our families and their support. They allow us to take care of the mission while they take care of us."

Since Airmen spend so much time at the MAFs, 91st Missile Wing leadership has locked their focus on improvements to infrastructure and recreation, including new beds, mattresses, couches and gym equipment.

"Because of our great leadership a lot of funding went to upgrading the MAFs to make them as best as possible for the Airmen," Walko said.

During his time at Minot, Walko has been able to balance his drive to serve the Airmen with his determination to better himself as both a person and an NCO. Utilizing his downtime at the MAF, he's earned his Community College of the Air Force associate's degree as well as his bachelor's and master's degree in only four years.

Reaching these educational goals has taught him one of the most important things he could learn in his 860 days in the field-- to pass on his knowledge so his Airmen can be the best they can be, he said.

"I challenge my guys in my squadron to achieve that higher education, take what they learned and pass it on to their next career field," Walko said.  "If I do my job as a senior NCO, an FM, a person and a leader, everything else will take care of itself. My Airmen will be taken care of."