MALMSTROM AFB
AIR FORCE
Great Falls, MT
United States
MALMSTROM AFB
AIR FORCE
Great Falls, MT
United States
Malmstrom AFB
Base Essentials
One of three Minuteman III ICBM wings, Malmstrom sits in Great Falls, MT — a nuclear deterrence posting on the High Plains with Montana's vast outdoor recreation and a close small-city community.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AFGSC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
3,500
Active Duty
3,500
Civilian
1,000
Population
85,000
Economic Impact
$500 million
Malmstrom AFB History
Named AfterColonel Einar Axel Malmstrom
Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, was activated in 1942 as a training base and later became a major missile installation during the Cold War. Today it is home to the 341st Missile Wing, one of three wings operating the Minuteman III ICBM. The wing oversees 150 missile alert facilities spread across more than 13,000 square miles of central Montana. Malmstrom will transition to the new LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM as the Air Force replaces its aging nuclear deterrent.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
341st Missile Wing
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Established as Great Falls Army Air Base
1962
First Minuteman I ICBM Wing Activated
—
View Key Moments
(2)
1942
Established as Great Falls Army Air Base
Great Falls Army Air Base opened in 1942 as a staging and refueling point for aircraft being transferred to the Soviet Union via the Alaska-Siberia Lend-Lease route. The base was renamed Malmstrom AFB in 1955 in honor of Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom, a base commander killed in a 1954 crash.
1962
First Minuteman I ICBM Wing Activated
Malmstrom activated the first Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile wing in 1962, becoming the first operational Minuteman base in the Air Force. The installation remains the home of the 341st Missile Wing, operating Minuteman III ICBMs across a vast missile field in central Montana.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Malmstrom AFB.
Malmstrom AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Malmstrom AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Malmstrom AFB.
Military News
Malmstrom AFB PCB Levels Raise Cancer Risk for Missileers
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Malmstrom AFB Housing: 6 On-Base Options
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19 of the Best Malmstrom AFB Things To Do
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Malmstrom Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center
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22 of the Best Malmstrom AFB Restaurants
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Malmstrom AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
341st Force Support Squadron — Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC)
Phone
(406) 731-4900Hours
Mon–Tue: 0700–1600; Wed: 0900–1600; Thu–Fri: 0700–1600
In-Processing
Military members begin in-processing by signing in with their Command Support Staff, which schedules all mandatory newcomer appointments and unit-specific meetings including travel voucher completion. Civilian personnel report to the Civilian Personnel Office. After-hours arrivals check in at the Malmstrom Inn, the 24/7 arrival point, which notifies the member's unit for sponsorship assistance.
The mandatory newcomers in-processing orientation covers essential base information and includes a visit to the M&FRC. First-term enlisted airmen are scheduled for the First Term Enlisted Center during the orientation period. Military spouses are welcome to attend newcomer programs. The school liaison can be reached at (406) 217-1173 (Building 149A).
Malmstrom AFB is home to the 341st Missile Wing (Minuteman III ICBM) and is located adjacent to Great Falls, Montana. The Great Falls area offers a very low cost of living, excellent hunting and fishing, and close proximity to Glacier National Park. The M&FRC provides a Montana-specific newcomer guide.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Malmstrom AFB.
On-post family housing at Malmstrom AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes and are convenient to base facilities. Given Malmstrom's remote northern Montana location, on-post housing is popular with families who value a consolidated military community experience. Malmstrom AFB is located on the eastern edge of…
Local Market
$1,200/mo
rent
/
$290,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Malmstrom AFB
85
15% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Malmstrom AFB.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Office
1
Middle Schools
View schools
2
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Malmstrom AFB is in Great Falls, MT — a mid-size city of ~60,000 on the high plains. The military community is large relative to the local population. Great Falls has a strong sense of community, very low COL, beautiful outdoor recreation, and limited big-city amenities.
Riverview / Northeast Great Falls
Suburban
The most popular area for Malmstrom families — neighborhoods northeast of the base have older but affordable homes. The Riverview neighborhood borders the Missouri River with excellent trail access.
Commute: 10–15 min
Schools: Great Falls Public Schools
Outdoorsy types
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Short commute, very affordable Montana prices, outdoor recreation access
South Great Falls / Havre Area
Small Town
The south side of Great Falls has newer development, slightly higher price points, and proximity to the Meadowlark and Fox Farm neighborhood corridors. Some families commute from Cascade or nearby small towns.
Commute: 10–20 min
Schools: Great Falls Public Schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Newer housing stock, quieter area, strong community feel
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Malmstrom AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Montana taxes active duty military pay for Montana legal residents, with an exemption for pay received while serving in…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Montana for Montana income tax purposes. A quali…
Vehicle Registration
Montana charges no state sales tax on vehicle purchases — one of the few states with no vehicle sales tax. Annual regist…
Property Tax
Montana has moderate property tax rates. Cascade County (Great Falls / Malmstrom AFB area) has rates typical for Montana…
Pet Policies at Malmstrom AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Malmstrom AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Malmstrom AFB.
Commissary
1
Malmstrom AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Medical
1
341st Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Malmstrom AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
10th Avenue North Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Malmstrom AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Malmstrom AFB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.