GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Malmstrom Air Force Base marked a leadership change as Col. David Wyrick took command of the 341st Missile Wing and Col. Daniel Voorhies retired after 25 years of service.
The ceremony included Wyrick’s first salute as he stepped into command. He said he is prepared to lead by listening first.
“I’m ready to listen to you, I’m ready to learn from you, I’m ready to support you and ready to fight for you,” Wyrick said.
Wyrick took over responsibility for base support, maintenance, security and the operation of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, missile alert facilities and launch facilities across a more than 13,000-square-mile complex in central Montana.
The event also included Voorhies’ final salute as he left command of the 341st Missile Wing. Before the transfer, he thanked the wing for its work during the past two years.
“Thank you for working with me these past two years to make the wing better each day. You do it day in and day out and it’s something that we all can be proud of. You truly are the best,” Voorhies said.
Maj. Gen. Stacy Huser helped lead the ceremony and had also been there when Voorhies first took command two years earlier. The base described the moment as one shared among close friends.
“Now I get to celebrate with them as they start a new exciting chapter in their lives,” Huser said.