COMMANDER’S CORNER: KEY WING EVENTS SUMMARY – PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, September 20, 2007 Vol. 51 No. 25 West Gate on schedule Photo by Steve Brady Entrance will re-open in November, relieve load on North and East gates By Corey Dahl move it over to the right lane, and then the Space Observer gate was down to one lane coming onto Sitting in traffic at the North and East base,” Mr. Williams said. “We’re not going to gates might seem frustrating now, but, in a have that problem anymore. It’s going to be couple of months, it will all be a distant so much better.” memory. The new gatehouse will feature an over- Contractors are working six days a week hanging cover to protect gate guards and putting the finishing touches on the $12.7 anyone performing augmentee duty from million West Gate renovation project, which the weather. is nearly 80 percent complete. Barring any And the new visitor’s center, which will fall snowstorms, the gate is on track to re- more than double in size, will help open Nov. 4, said Roger Williams, military streamline the process for getting guests construction inspector with the 21st Civil on base. Engineer Squadron. Until everything opens, though, Peterson “It’s definitely on schedule,” he said. employees and residents will have to con- “Unless we have really bad weather in tinue to bear with delays at the North and October, there’s no reason we won’t open East gates. on time.” Mr. Williams said CE is working on Construction continues in earnest at the West Gate; the re-opening ceremony is slated for Nov. 5. The visitors And, Mr. Williams said, the improve- adding a left turn lane near the East Gate, center and gate house are nearly complete, while work goes on with the landscaping, street lights, bridge and ments will be worth the wait. Once the where cars going straight have been getting paving the new road. project is complete, the West Gate will be stuck behind cars waiting to turn left. The three lanes when it enters base and will have 21st Space Wing also worked with the city said the base community – including him- good,” he said. “It is frustrating, but no one a separate truck inspection station, similar on adjusting traffic light signals near both self and his fellow CE employees – has been is immune to it – I sit out in the traffic with to the one at the East Gate. gates to improve traffic flow. patient with the gate delays. everyone, too. Everyone just has to re- “Before, when a truck came, we had to For the most part, though, Mr. Williams “I think the base populace has been pretty member that it won’t be much longer.” Deployed Airmen return home By Corey Dahl Nelson, who wiped away tears while he Space Observer hugged his son, Airman Brenden Nelson. Applause and cheers filled the lobby of the “This past week, I’ve just been anxious. It’s Colorado Springs Airport Sept. 14, as several great to have him home.” members of the 21st Space Wing’s Security The Airmen are just a few of the more than Forces Squadron returned home from Iraq. 200 members of Team Pete who have de- After six months away – seven for a few ployed this year, mostly in support of who had to undergo training – a dozen Operation Enduring Freedom. Called up last Airmen from the squadron were greeted by spring, they were stationed at Ali Base in waiting moms, dads, wives and children, a Tallil, Iraq, where they were responsible for few holding homemade signs. “I’m ecstatic to say the least,” said Rob See Home page 6 U.S. Air Force photo Air Force U.S. Photo by Larry by Hulst Photo Celebrating 60 Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander, and Airman Michael Lee, 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron, cut the Air Force’s ceremonial birthday cake Sept. 18 at the Aragon Dining Facility. The Air Force marks its 60th birthday this year. Senior Airman David McDonald hugs his wife Jenny after returning from Iraq Sept. 14. Airman McDonald was one of a dozen members of the 21st Security Forces Squadron returning from a six-month deployment. INSIDE STRIPES Pub Total Force News 1-5 Ultimate Fighting Championship Air Force Chief of Staff announced Airmen Battle Uniform’s Action Line 2 televised at the pub major total force integration steps Briefs 8 available Sports 13 Page 6 Page 10 Page 3 Pigskin Picks 15 SPACE OBSERVER 2 Thursday, September 20, 2007 SPACE OBSERVER www.peterson.af.mil Thursday, September 20, 2007 3 21ST SPACE WING 21st Space Wing Commander Col. Jay Raymond COMMANDER’S CORNER Chief of Public Affairs Capt. Toni Tones Editorial Staff Key wing events summary Chief of Internal Information Steve Brady Commentary by Col. Jay Raymond to country that these courageous Americans Staff Reporter 21st Space Wing commander Col. exhibited under inconceivable circumstances Corey Dahl The recent grand opening of the new Stripes Jay Raymond dictate that we take special opportunities to Assistant Production Manager Pub was advertised by the 21st Services honor them.” A series of events throughout the Jeff Adcox Squadron as being an event you wouldn’t want week have allowed us to do just that. to miss; however, it turned out to be even more 21st Space These events included reveille Sept. 17, where Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers successful than anyone could have imagined. Wing the POW/MIA flag was raised at the NCO Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, 80903, a private firm in no way connected If you were at the ribbon cutting then you commander Academy, and a vigil at Peterson Chapel Sept. with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written con- know exactly what I’m talking about – it was 18 where names of those missing in action from tract with the 21st Space Wing. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized pub- truly a spectacular event. Representatives from Last week, the 21st Space Wing’s senior the Korean War were continuously read. lication for members of the U.S. military services. all over Team Peterson turned out for the fes- leadership participated in a strategic planning Immediately following the retreat ceremony Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily tivities as we celebrated the latest edition to the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. off-site. A special thanks to Mr. Rick Hughes, Sept. 20, a 24-hour POW/MIA run will take Government, the Department of Defense or the the on-base amenities available to our mili- 21st SW AFSO21 office, for orchestrating place in which participants will run 30-minute Department of the Air Force. tary members and their families. legs while carrying the POW/MIA flag. The The appearance of advertising in this publication, this very valuable session. We spent the day including inserts or supplements, does not constitute Many of the thoughts and ideas that went analyzing our three mission areas – space run will conclude just prior to the start of the endorsement by DoD, the Department of the Air into its creation came from the men and women Remembrance Ceremony Sept. 21 at Peterson Force, or CSMNG, of the products or services superiority operations, installation support advertised. Everything advertised in this publication of the enlisted force, specifically the joint 21st and protection, and deploying Warrior Chapel. shall be made available for purchase, use or patron- age without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Space Wing and 50th SW enlisted advisory Airmen – in order to refine our overarching Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Pavlick, the 21st national origin, age, marital status, physical handi- committee. Their voices were heard loud and SW lead, and Senior Master Sgt. D.J. Jones have cap, political affiliation or any other non-merit fac- goals/objectives for each area. After estab- tor of the purchaser, user or patron. clear as we transitioned from the heritage theme lishing these goals and objectives, we worked done an outstanding job in planning and coor- Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by of the previous Ozone Lounge to the popular together to develop specific strategies to dinating the entire week’s POW/MIA activi- the 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office, 775 Loring Ave., Suite 218, Peterson AFB, Colo., 80914- sports and gaming pub that you see today. achieve those objectives and assigned “objec- ties. They received quite a lot of support from 1294, (719) 556-4351 or DSN 834-4351, fax (719) I would like to thank our Club Manager and tive champions” to coordinate the actions a number of individuals including Senior 556-7848 or DSN 834-7848. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. “Pub architect,” Mr. Curtis Clayton for spear- needed for each strategy. Master Sgt. Scott Sippel, Senior Master Sgt. The Space Observer is published every Thursday. heading this effort, and Mr. Michael Coltrin of We expect to refine and finalize this plan- Linda Valinho, Master Sgt. Sid Doring, Tech. Sgt. For advertising inquiries, call Colorado Springs Military Newspapers, (719) 634-5905. Employees the 21st Services Squadron who ensured we ning effort over the next couple of weeks and Melissa Hargis, and Mr. Bill Galvan. Thanks to of Peterson Air Force Base who want to place a free had the resources to execute. A special thanks vet a revised mission and vision statement their leadership and overall effort, Team classified advertisement should call 329-5236.