Leading 140 People Through COVID: Crisis Leadership Lessons How we adapted at Malmstrom AFB

Published: February 23, 2026 | By Gabriel Denny

I took command of the 341st Comptroller Squadron in June 2020—right in the middle of COVID-19.

Mission: Keep financial operations running for a nuclear missile wing while protecting 140 people.

We couldn't pause. We couldn't shut down. The nuclear mission doesn't stop for a pandemic.

Here's how we adapted—and what growing businesses can learn about crisis leadership.

The Situation: Everything Changed Overnight

When COVID hit, we had to:

  • Shut down offices while maintaining 24/7 nuclear operations
  • Redesign payment processes for remote work
  • Manage supply chain disruptions
  • Keep 3,600 base personnel and their families supported financially
  • Do all of this with zero downtime and zero errors

Most businesses faced similar challenges. The difference? We didn't have the luxury of figuring it out as we went.

The mission demanded immediate adaptation.

Lesson 1: Assess Rapidly, Act Decisively

In crisis, you don't have time for lengthy analysis.

Week 1 actions:

  • Identified mission-critical functions (payroll, vendor payments, travel support)
  • Assessed which could go remote vs. needed on-site
  • Determined minimum manning requirements
  • Built 3 operational scenarios (locked down, hybrid, full operations)

By day 7, we had a plan. By day 10, we were executing.

Business lesson: Slow assessment kills momentum. Move fast with good information, adjust as you learn.

Lesson 2: Communicate Constantly (Even When You Don't Have Answers)

The worst thing leaders do in crisis? Go silent.

People need to hear from you—even if the message is "we don't know yet, but here's what we're doing."

Our communication rhythm:

  • Daily updates to the team (even if nothing changed)
  • Weekly all-hands (virtual) to address questions
  • Open-door policy for concerns
  • Transparent about what we knew vs. what was uncertain

Business lesson: Over-communicate during crisis. Silence creates anxiety and speculation.

Lesson 3: Prioritize Ruthlessly

In crisis, you can't do everything. You have to choose.

What we prioritized:

  1. Mission-critical operations: Payroll, vendor payments, nuclear support
  2. Team safety: Remote work where possible, distancing protocols on-site
  3. Operational continuity: Cross-training, documentation, backup plans

What we paused:

  • Non-essential travel
  • Large group meetings
  • Process improvements (focused on stability, not optimization)

Business lesson: Crisis demands focus. Cut everything non-essential and protect what matters.

Lesson 4: Empower Your Team

I couldn't micromanage 140 people working remotely. I had to trust my flight commanders and supervisors to execute.

How we empowered the team:

  • Gave clear guidance on priorities
  • Delegated decision-making authority
  • Trusted people to solve problems locally
  • Supported when they needed help

Business lesson: In crisis, centralized control fails. Push authority down and trust your team.

Lesson 5: Build Systems for Remote Work (Fast)

Pre-COVID, most of our work was in-person. We had to digitize everything in weeks.

What we automated:

  • Digital approvals (no more paper signatures)
  • Remote document access (cloud storage)
  • Virtual payment processing
  • Automated reconciliations

Result: By month 2, we were more efficient remotely than we'd been in-person.

Business lesson: Crisis accelerates necessary changes. Don't wait for perfect—ship and iterate.

Lesson 6: Take Care of Your People

This was the most important lesson.

Our team was scared. Kids were home from school. Spouses were furloughed. People were worried about health, finances, and the future.

What we did:

  • Flexible schedules for parents managing remote school
  • Mental health resources
  • Financial counseling for those struggling
  • Recognition and gratitude (even small wins mattered)

Business lesson: People remember how you treated them during crisis. Lead with empathy.

Lesson 7: After-Action Review (Learn and Improve)

Military doesn't waste crises. Every challenge is a learning opportunity.

Our 90-day review:

  • What worked? (remote operations, automation, communication)
  • What didn't? (initial supply chain gaps, delayed tech adoption)
  • What do we keep? (digital workflows, flexible schedules)
  • What do we fix? (better remote tools, improved contingency plans)

Business lesson: Crisis reveals weaknesses. Fix them before the next one.

The Results

Through 18 months of COVID:

  • ✅ Zero mission failures
  • ✅ Zero payroll delays
  • ✅ 95%+ audit pass rates (maintained standard)
  • ✅ Team morale stayed strong
  • ✅ Several processes improved permanently

We didn't just survive. We adapted and improved.

The Bottom Line

Crisis leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about:

  • Assessing rapidly
  • Communicating constantly
  • Prioritizing ruthlessly
  • Empowering your team
  • Building systems quickly
  • Taking care of people
  • Learning and improving

COVID was a test. The businesses (and leaders) who passed were the ones who adapted fastest.

Want to build crisis-ready financial operations?

Schedule a Financial Health Assessment and I'll help you prepare for the next disruption.

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About Gabriel Denny

Led 140 people through COVID at Malmstrom AFB. Zero mission failures. That's the standard.

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