COMMANDER’S CORNER: TACKLING CHALLENGES - PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, May 29, 2014 Vol. 58 No. 20 Fire chief takes flight with Thunderbirds By Michael Golembesky 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Flight physical: check. Safety brief: check. Preflight checks: complete. Next up: a 400 mph ride with the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds landed at Peterson May 26 in preparation for the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony May 28. As part of their community outreach program, the squadron provides selected community figures with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the backseat of one of the Thunderbirds aircraft. “I was very surprised at first when I received the phone call,” said Chief Christopher Riley, Colorado Springs Fire Department chief and selected guest Thunderbirds passenger. “I am very honored and excited about the oppor- tunity to fly with the Thunderbirds.” Riley was one of two VIPs selected to fly with the world-famous Thunderbirds. The other was local TV personality and meteo- rologist, Rachael Plath of KRDO News. “I am not nervous, these people (the Thunderbird squadron) are complete pro- fessionals and have a lot of experience with handling guests like myself,” said Riley. “I did a little research, but from watching TV, the news and movies, I have a pretty good idea about what I am getting myself into.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Golembesky) The individuals selected for this unique PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Chief Christopher Riley, with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, fastens his restraint harness after putting on a gravity-suit opportunity are selected from a handful of May 27, in preparation for a ride in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, the aircraft flown by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The flying unit, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, was at Peterson AFB to perform at this year’s Air Force Academy graduation ceremony May 28. Riley was selected for the exciting ride-along See Fire chief page 7 for his contribution to our community and the surrounding Pikes Peak Region. Local USAF pilot helps in airline emergency By Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Gongol, a B-1B Lancer pilot, noticed the en- gines power down to idle. The thoughts im- PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — mediately started jumping through his head; Most people think that during an emergency there were a variety of reasons why the engines they would step up to the plate, act heroically would shut down to idle, none of them catego- and do what is necessary to save lives. Thinking rized as normal. Slowly, the aircraft began to one might rescue the day is a noble thought, descend and turn right. but acting on those thoughts is what sets the “Over the public address system; a flight at- nation’s heroes above noble thinkers. tendant asked if there was a doctor on board “Every pilot thinks ‘what would I do if this the plane,” said Gongol. “A few more calls went all goes wrong’ on an aircraft they are not out for medical professionals and the flight controlling,” said Capt. Mark Gongol, 13th attendants were all hurrying to first class with Air Support Operations Squadron assistant their beverage carts and a first-aid kit.” director of operations at Fort Carson. “As a At that moment, Gongol thought it was a professional courtesy, we all know the aircrew medical emergency with a first class passenger, at civilian airlines are extremely qualified, but his instincts told him to stay seated and stay out as a byproduct of being a pilot, I always have a of the way. A fourth call went out, “are there heightened awareness when flying. However, any non-revenue pilots on board, please ring I never thought I would be in the situation I your call button.” Immediately, Gongol real- was in.” ized the pilot was the patient. He looked to his Gongol, his wife and daughter were on the wife; as she gave him a nod, Gongol pressed way from Des Moines International Airport his button and headed toward the flight deck. Dec. 30, with 151 other passengers and six (U.S. Air Force photo) Arriving at the flight deck, Gongol saw four crewmembers, after spending the holidays flight attendants and two passenger nurses as- Capt. Mark Gongol, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron assistant director of operations at Fort Carson, with his family. To him and his family, the helped land a commercial 737 Dec. 30 when the pilot had a medical emergency. The pilot has since recovered, sembling a make-shift bed, medical kits were day was just like any other, except for a short See Emergency page 6 due in part to Gongol helping with the emergency landing. Gongol is a B-1B Lancer pilot. flight delay due to weather. INSIDE News 1-12 Briefs 13 Recreation Classifieds 14 Wildland and leisure fires events Like Page 9 Page 10 us SPACE OBSERVER 2 Thursday, May 29, 2014 www.peterson.af.mil Top Air Force doc visits medical group (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Golembesky) PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Lt. Gen. Thomas Travis, Air Force Surgeon General, listens to an operations brief inside the altitude chamber during his visit to the 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron May 22. Travis toured various areas of the 21st Medical Group where he learned about 21st MDG plans, interacted with Airmen, addressed concerns and learned about specific jobs. Pre-Approve the Perfect Home Now accepting appointments in our new location. 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Michael Golembesky today is efficiency. We are consistently trying Brad Austin Despite meticulous planning at all levels, to improve operations while saving money and changes inevitably occurred throughout im- Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers manpower while maintaining our role as the plementation. Various projects were delayed Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, world’s greatest Air Force. Throughout the Peterson for numerous reasons and adjustments were 80903, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. past year, I have had the privilege of working made to timelines to ensure success. While all Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the on an efficiency that has never happened in Command 21st Space Wing. This commercial enterprise Air Force of these changes were occurring, the missions the Air Force - consolidating three installa- Post chief newspaper is an authorized publication for members of at the five separate wings had to continue un- tion command posts into one here at Peterson the U.S. military services. interrupted. This required a balance between Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily the Air Force Base. official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, This regionalization decision was not made the 21st, 50th and 310th Space Wings, 302nd disrupting operations to allow upgrades and the Department of Defense or the Department of the in haste. In fact, before it the regionalization Airlift Wing and 10th Air Base Wing into one. maintaining a working infrastructure at all Air Force. times. The appearance of advertising in this publication, was considered the Air Force conducted an Air Luckily, I had an outstanding team of Airmen including inserts or supplements, does not constitute Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century that were already facing the challenges and I Jumping into the middle of a large project endorsement by DoD, the Department of the Air Force, study in 2011 to explore this capability. The was able to utilize them to quickly bring me like the CSRCP was very challenging and or CSMNG, of the products or services advertised. Peterson Command Post was identified to created a unique leadership opportunity for Everything advertised in this publication shall be made up to speed.