Tactical Response Force | Snipers

Snipers with Malmstrom Air Force Base's 341st Security Forces Group's Tactical Response Force (TRF) provide cover for fellow TRF Airmen during a missile launch facility recapture exercise.

note: a missile launch facility (MLF) refers to one of the 150 Minuteman III ICBM silos dotted around Malmstrom AFB's sprawling missile complex.

Each unmanned silo contains a single ICBM.

A launch control center (LCC) is a manned facility that controls 10 Minuteman III silos.

In the unlikely even of a hostile force taking over any of these facilities, the TRF will be called on to recapture them.

Each Tactical Response Force includes an Advanced Designated Marksman team, typically formed from 2 sniper/spotter pairs.

During recapture operations, their role is to deploy around a facility and provide cover for TRF entry teams as they approach and enter.

They may also provide a counter-sniper function.

These TRF snipers are armed with a M24 7.62mm x 51mm bolt-action rifle (foreground) and a Barret .50 caliber anti-material rifle (background).

Note their M4a1 carbines laying on the ground by their sniper rifles.

Note also, just visible in the distance, a UH-1N Huey helicopter belonging to the 40th Helicopter Squadron.

These helicopters are used to rapidly deploy TRF personnel to the remote locations where launch facilities are situated.