Ride Safe, Stay Alive
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COMMANDER’S CORNER: WITH RESPECT AND THANKS - PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, June 9, 2011 Vol. 55 No. 27 Ride safe, stay alive by monica mendoza According to the Air Force Safety Center, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., motorcycle fatalities have risen 150 percent from January to March 2011, compared to the same period last year. The safety reports indicated that all PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- incidents had two common causal factors: the More than 80 Airmen and civilians from the absence of automobile involvement and the 21st Space Wing donned their leather jack- rider losing control of his motorcycle. ets, pants, boots and safety gear and hit the “These losses are unacceptable for our highway June 2 for a 90-mile motorcycle ride Air Force,” said Gen. Philip Breedlove, Vice that hit all the Air Force installations in the Chief of Staff, in a May 2011 memorandum Colorado Springs area. to Airmen. The ride was part of Motorcycle Safety Day, Motorcycle safety is always a challenge, said hosted by the 21st Space Wing Safety Office. Darron Haughn, 21st Space Wing Safety Office Col. Nina Armagno, 21st Operations Group flight safety manager. Riding motorcycles is commander, kick started the event with a exhilarating, but also has a higher level of safety message and then joined the caravan, inherent risk. Even if a motorcycle rider fol- which left from Peterson AFB and took riders lows all the rules, motorists often have trouble to Schriever AFB, the U.S. Air Force Academy seeing motorcycles and reacting in time. In and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Colorado, 3 percent of all registered vehicles Jim Carson, Colorado Springs police officer are motorcycles, but they account for 18 per- and police motorcycle instructor, gave riders cent of traffic fatalities, he said. safety tips on how to ride with a large group. “We have some of the most responsible rid- He urged riders, who often invest quite a bit of ers that I’ve seen in the Air Force,” Mr. Haughn money into their motorcycles and their riding said. “Our riders are very professional, wearing gear, to spend some money on training. all the required gear and driving in control and “There are videos and there are places for doing their part. We as automobile drivers, advanced training,” he said. “As far as statis- we need to do our part to make sure we are tics, you don’t want to be one.” watching for the motorcycle riders because Motorcycle Safety Day is just one of many they are at an unfair advantage when it comes activities planned for this summer’s Critical to sharing the road.” A Harley owner herself, Col. Nina Armagno, 21st Operations Group commander, speaks to the 80 motorcyclists Days of Summer safety campaign, which runs In his summer safety message to the wing, who participated in Motorcycle Safety Day June 2, 2011, on Peterson AFB. Just prior to the group leaving now to Labor Day weekend. Since 1967, Air Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing on a 90-mile Poker Run that took riders to the Air Force installations in the Colorado Springs area, Colonel Force leaders have put extra emphasis on safety commander, reminded Airmen that safety Armagno stressed important safety points and inherent dangers to be found in traffic in the Pikes Peak region. during the summer months in an effort to is their responsibility. The group ended their ride at the Peterson AFB Club, where they had burger cookout. All summer, the 21st reduce mishaps. Space Wing Safety Office will host special events to highlight the Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. This summer Air Force leaders are put- See Ride safe page 10 (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard) ting particular focus on motorcycle safety. Speakers’ bureau Coming home Are you in the Air Force, currently serving or retired, and have a story to tell? Do you enjoy speaking and shar- ing your lessons from service with others? Then a spot in the Peterson Air Force Base Speaker’s Bureau is for you. The 21st Space Wing Public Affairs is currently looking for enthusiastic, motivated Air Force speakers to share their story with the com- munity. Opportunities for speeches range from civic events, school functions or official gatherings. Contact Jeff Bohn at 556-5185 for more information. PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Members of the U.S. Academy Band greet Wild Blue Country June 2, 2011, at the Colorado Springs airport. Wild Blue Country, part of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band stationed at Peterson AFB, returned from a mission with the Air Force Central Command Band. As part of the AFCENT band, Wild Blue Country traveled to Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar performing concerts focusing on troop morale and international community relations. Returning band members included Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Oddo, Master Sgts. Karl Bradley and Janusz Masztalerz, and Tech. Sgts. Stephen Brannen, Tim Stombaugh and Jeff Valentine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Craig Denton) INSIDE 16th Space ‘Critical Commentary 3 Control Squadron News 4 Days of hosts lieutenant Summer’ Feature 7 Let’s promotion by off to a Briefs 12 rodeo Internet great start Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Space ObServer 2 Thursday, June 9, 2011 www.peterson.af.mil Space ObServer www.peterson.af.mil Thursday, June 9, 2011 3 21ST SPACE WING 21st Space Wing Commander Col. Stephen N. Whiting COMMANDER’S CORNER Chief of Public Affairs 1st Lt. Holly Hess Editorial Staff Chief of Internal Information With respect and thanks Mr. Steve Brady PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- you are busy. There are times when I had to Deputy Chief of Internal This has been one of the toughest articles I make a tough decision; but the reality is you Information Col. have ever written. Not because of the topic, Jim Jennings have the toughest job in this wing, not me. You Airman 1st Class Jessica Hines but due to the circumstance. My time as vice made my job easy because of your persever- Staff Writer commander has come to a close and I move 21st Space ance and support in every endeavor. For the Ms. Monica Mendoza on to serve this great nation and Air Force in Wing vice support and innovative methods of thinking another capacity. commander to make the mission happen, I thank you. Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers The past 22 months have been an absolute I am thankful I was given this opportunity. Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, 80903, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. honor serving with and for each of you. As I have learned from each of you and you have Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the I think back from my first to last day in the made me a better officer and leader. 21st Space Wing. This commercial enterprise Air Force wing many things come to mind. I won’t go Teri and I thank you and wish the best to newspaper is an authorized publication for members of time no matter the task. I’m not so insulated the U.S. military services. over all of them because this would turn into each of you as you continue your adventures Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily the a novel. nor naïve not to recognize you have sacrificed in life. We will always cherish the friends and official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, a part of yourself and/or the family to deliver the Department of Defense or the Department of the I was and still am impressed by the enduring memories we made and are proud to state Air Force. dedication of the wing Airmen, civilians and the requested effect. For that sacrifice, I sin- we served with the finest in the 21st Space The appearance of advertising in this publication, cerely thank you and your families. including inserts or supplements, does not constitute contractors who execute the mission daily. We Wing. endorsement by DoD, the Department of the Air Force, as leaders ask so much from each of you, and As the vice commander, I have witnessed (Colonel Jennings’ last day as the 21st SW or CSMNG, of the products or services advertised. you continue to deliver superior results every daily the challenges of your profession, I know vice commander was June 7.) Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Is Your Child Between the Ages of 6 and 11? Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office, 775 Loring Do They Have Allergies to Trees and/or Grass? Ave., Suite 219, Peterson AFB, Colo., 80914-1294, (719) 556-5185 or DSN 834-5185, fax (719) 556-7848 or DSN If so they might qualify to participate in a clinical 834-7848. All photographs are Air Force photographs research trial we are currently enrolling for! You unless otherwise indicated. will receive all study-related medical care and the The Space Observer is published every Thursday. For advertising inquiries, call Colorado Springs Military investigational study medication at no charge. Having an Parts – Installation Newspapers, (719) 634-5905. Employees of Peterson Air Participants will be compensated for their time. Force Base who want to place a free classified advertise- Open House? Service – Fabrication ment should call (719) 329-5210.