CONGRATULATIONS TO PETERSON’S NEWEST STAFF SERGEANTS – PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, August 10, 2006 Vol. 50 No. 32 15th CMSAF takes first look at space By Tech. Sgt. Kate Rust public, how well they take care of dorm Air Force Space Command Public Affairs rooms and facilities,” Chief McKinley said. “When we go to other countries to On his first visit here July 28 as do our job, we need to concentrate on the top enlisted servicemember in the how we perform or how we act when Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air we’re in another country, because we’re Force Rodney McKinley stressed the representing our country. Take pride in importance of recognizing, leading and being an Airman in our United States taking care of Airmen. Air Force.” “I want to focus on our junior Chief McKinley acknowledged enlisted to make sure we take care of the key to the challenges ahead for them,” he said. “We need to put leader- Airmen in a smaller force with a high- ship tools into the supervisors’ hands er operations tempo is good leadership and make them the best supervisors at all levels. they can be. “Because we are downsizing and “I also want Airmen across the have a smaller Air Force, the quality of Air Force to be proud to be Airmen,” every Airman has to be absolutely Chief McKinley said. “When an Photo by Tech. Sgt. Raheem Moore unquestioned,” he said. “It all stems Airman goes to basic training, he trans- Newly appointed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley greets from leadership. Leaders need to make forms from being a trainee into being Master Sgt. Michael Owen, 21st Security Force Squadron first sergeant, while sure we give proper performance feed- an Airman. That is a very important visiting the Peterson Air Force Base Airman Leadership School. The CMSAF back and proper performance ratings to visited the schoolhouse and Headquarters Air Force Space Command July emotional event – he can finally be reward the people who are doing the 28. He is the top enlisted member of the Air Force. called ‘Airman.’ But at his first duty great jobs. For those people who have station we start calling our Airmen time to craft his vision of Airman pride; sergeant for 10 years before becoming areas to improve, let them know how to ‘kids’ and start calling them ‘troops.’ he first joined the Air Force in 1974 as a command chief and, in June, the chief improve – give them the tools to An Airman deserves to be called an emergency room medic. After tak- master sergeant of the Air Force. improve. When we do that, we improve Airman, regardless if he’s an airman ing a four-and-a-half year break, he “Airman pride is also about how the quality of the Air Force.” basic or a four-star general.” came back in 1982 as an aircraft well Airmen wear the uniform, how While visiting headquarters, Air Chief McKinley has had some mechanic. He went on to serve as a first physically fit they are, how they act in See Space, Page 11 Guardian Challenge pits wing against wing By Steve Brady 21st Space Wing public affairs Guardian Challenge, the annual competition in which Air Force Space Command pits wing against wing in a head-to-head competition in individual mission categories, launches the final phase of competition Sunday. Guardian Challenge is the only space and missile warfighter competi- tion in the Air Force. Originally called “Curtain Raiser” and then “Olympic Arena” under Strategic Air Command, For complete Guardian the event dates back to 1967. Although Challenge coverage see the Guardian Challenge was cancelled in inserinsert inside this edition. 2005, the legacy resumes with the 38th competition this year. being held here Thursday. Photo by Steve Brady In a money saving move, teams During the judging, helicopter Civic leaders meet Airmen competed at their home stations crews competed in navigation, hover instead of traveling to a centralized and post-maintenance checkout tasks – Staff Sgt. Michael Smith, 21st Security Forces Squadron, explains a M- 240 to retired Maj. Gen. Larry Fortner, district manager for Northrup GC is the only competition Air Force- point. A panel of judges evaluated Grumman Space Technology. Mr. Fortner was part of the Thirty Group each of the teams at their home wide for helicopters. visit to base Thursday. The group received an overview of the plan for station, and the winner will be In other competition, mainte- future growth here, as well as a tour of the base. announced at the awards banquet, See Challenge, Page 4 INSIDE Distinguished Gentleman Kids Day Carnival News 1-5 The 10th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Carnival, Classic Car Show brings out 21st Space Wing: Saving the Nation Briefs 7 Force, Gary Pfingston, visits Peterson kid in everyone Countdown to the Operational Pete on Patrol 8 Page 13 Page 16-17 Readiness Inspection Congrats Corner 9 27 days Health 21 SPACE OBSERVER 2 Thursday, August 10, 2006 need for more best, representing their respective Guardian Challenge rooms, flights, fuel wings, in space command’s finest and food from not competition. only Peterson, but While I’m eager to see champi- comes to Peterson the surrounding area ons emerge (and I’ll certainly be root- By Col. Jay G. Santee Space Command and as well. The esti- ing for the 21st Space 21st Space Wing commander 21st Space Wing mated economic Wing), I have already agencies. impact of the competi- seen a championship On behalf of the men From lodging to tion is $725,000, performance in the and women of the Air meals, communications to according to finance effort and team- Force’s only space superi- protocol, and contracting to officials here. work that went ority wing, welcome to logistics, hundreds of peo- Local organiz- into the planning Guardian Challenge! For ple from multiple agencies ers will take away and execution of the first time in GC histo- have devoted months of lessons learned to this memorable ry, Peterson Air Force Base work and countless man make the next week. I’d also like is hosting the greatest com- hours planning every detail. Challenge here bigger to extend my con- petition in Air Force Space They too are winners, and and better, and the best gratulations to all those Command. I want to have given us the best they team will receive a trophy, competitors who’ve Col. extend my heartfelt thanks have to prepare for the and bragging rights, until the earned their rightful place in Jay G. Santee to all those who’ve made event. next Guardian Challenge in two years. this fierce competition. Your hard this historical event a success. About 950 people from eight dif- In the end, all the teams compet- work and dedication is the reason With it comes the culmination of ferent wings are expected for the com- ing here have the right to hold their AFSPC remains the greatest command months of planning by both Air Force petition. Those 950 people bring the heads high. They are the best of the in the Air Force. Good luck. Airmen represent 21st Space Wing The following Airmen are representing the 21st Space Wing in the Guardian Challenge competition. In the security forces competition, from the 21st Security Forces Squadron: Staff Sgt. Joshua Botteicher, Staff Sgt. Landon Elledge, Senior Airman Eric Brown, Senior Airman Anthony Derominos and Senior Airman Brian Marshall. In the communications competition, from the 21st Space Communication Squadron: Staff Sgt. Terence Brown and Senior Airman Allan Franklin. In the space operations category, from the 20th Space Control Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla.: 2nd Lt. Steven Viveiros, Staff Sgt. Michael Eickhoff and Senior Airman Cindy Johnson. Also in the Space Operations category, from RAF Fylingdales, are Flight Lt. (Capt.) Judith Davies, Flight Sgt. (Senior Master Sgt.) Mike Bartlett, Flight Sgt. (Senior Master Sgt.) Paul McGowen, Cpl. (Tech. Sgt.) Adam Field and Senior Aircraftman (Senior Airman) Mark Photo by Steve Brady Gardner. In the chef competition, from 21st Services Warrior Airmen Squadron, are Staff Sgt. James Martinez and Peterson Air Force Base congratulates the following Airmen who will represent Team Pete in the Airman 1st Class Daniel Voiselle. Guardian Challenge security forces competition. They are (left to right): Senior Airman Eric Brown, The 21st Space Wing is also represented by Staff Sgt. Landon Elledge, Senior Airman Brian Marshall, Staff Sgt. Joshua Botteicher and Senior the Knights mascot, Airman 1st Class Ian Airman Anthony Deromanis. The team is coached by Tech. Sgt. Jeramy White (not pictured). Archibald, 21st Comptroller Squadron. 21st Space Wing Commander Col. Jay G. Santee Chief of Public Affairs Maj. Amy Sufak Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, 80903, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 21st Space Wing. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication Editorial Staff for members of the U.S. military services. 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