COMMANDER’S CORNER: SUccESS DEFINED BY QUALITY NOT AWARDS - PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, June 23, 2011 Vol. 55 No. 25 EOD Airman receives Purple Heart The oldest U.S. military honor and award, the Purple Heart, as described above by George Washington, was presented to Staff Sgt. Mark Badger, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron here June 20. The award was given for injuries suffered and valorous service while conducting an operation near the village of Hendu Kalacheh in southern Afghanistan Oct. 5, 2010. Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, presented the award to Sergeant Badger and had a few words to share with the family members present. “We are as proud of your son, your brother, your husband, as you are ... this is a great opportunity to recognize an American hero.” Sergeant Badger’s quick and precise actions resulted in saving the life of his EOD team leader and provided safe routes for remaining members of Combined Task Force Kandahar. The mission was to clear combat access routes surround- ing a mountain known to be occupied by insurgent bomb makers who had caused numerous coalition casualties. “I wasn’t scared at all. I know (my team members) weren’t. We were jumping to get out there and replace the team that had been hit, to make sure (coalition forces) would be safe. It was very important for us to be out there and protect those operations,” said Sergeant Badger. After successfully clearing five other improvised ex- plosive devices, Sergeant Badger’s team was preparing to head out when an undetected IED was inadvertantly triggered and detonated. The explosion critically injured the team leader and a fellow team member. Sergeant Badger, being only 15 feet from the blast, suffered injuries, Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, presents the Purple Heart to Staff Sgt. Mark Badger, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist but was nearest the scene and the first to respond to his with the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron here June 20. The award was given for injuries suffered and valorous service while conducting an operation wounded teamates. “The most important thing to do was make sure they by AirmAn 1st clAss jessicA Hines of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings ... the figure would be alright, get them out of there and make sure 21st Space Wing Public Affairs of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace nobody else would get hurt, because there were a lot of or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but improvised explosive devices in the area,” said Sergeant PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- “Whenever also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author way shall meet with a due reward,” George Washington, See Purple Heart page 9 first president of the United States. AFSPC names Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations Award winners PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. The award is testimony of the wing’s critical missions of missile warning, mis- deputy commander. Colonel Tombarge was -- Air Force Space Command named its mission to conduct precise and disciplined sile defense, space control and installation the 16th SPCS commander at the time. 2010 Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations missile warning, missile defense and space support from locations across the globe. “The hard work and sacrifices they’ve made Award winners June 13. These awards hon- to take cutting-edge prototype technolo- or AFSPC’s most outstanding operations gies, make them combat ready, and deploy units and individuals. “It’s a great honor to win the General Moorman and them in support of our combatant com- The 21st Space Wing took high hon- General Herres awards, and it’s a testament to the manders is simply amazing.” ors including the General Thomas S. The 16th SPCS is AFSPC’s first defen- Moorman, Jr. award for AFSPC’s overall superb work of the Knights of the 21st Space Wing.” sive counterspace unit and employs the outstanding wing, the General Robert Rapid Attack, Identification, Detection, T. Herres award for AFSPC’s most out- and Reporting System. The unit oper- standing wing with a space mission, and control operations. “Thank you for what you do every day ates space control capabilities to rapidly the Chief Master Sergeant Robert G. V. “There are seven other operational to make our wing a great organization. I achieve flexible and versatile space supe- Pecqueur award for AFSPC’s best space space and cyber wings in Air Force Space am proud to serve with each of you, and riority in support of theater campaigns surveillance squadron, which went to the Command. These wings do fantastic work congratulations to you all.” and USSTRATCOM’s space superiority 16th Space Control Squadron. each and every day supporting the joint Besides winning the two wing awards mission. “Your hard work and dedication resulted warfighter by defending and operating in from AFSPC awards, the 21st also claimed w“Winning the Pecqueur award as the in our wing capturing three major AFSPC and from space and cyberspace,” Colonel an award for best space surveillance best space control squadron in Air Force awards,” said Col. Stephen N. Whiting, Whiting said. “So, to put it mildly, it’s in- squadron. Space Command is recognition of this 21st Space Wing commander. “It’s a great credibly humbling to be named the com- “I can’t express how proud I am of the hard work and their direct contributions honor to win the General Moorman and mand’s outstanding wing for 2010. I am men and women of the 16th Space Control to Operations Enduring Freedom and General Herres awards, and it’s a testament exceptionally proud of the entire team for Squadron and our total force partners, the New Dawn,” Colonel Tombarge said. “I to the superb work of the Knights of the earning this well deserved recognition 380th Space Control Squadron,” said Lt. am humbled and honored to have been 21st Space Wing.” while continuing to execute our nationally Col. Paul Tombarge, 21st Operations Group part of their team.” INSIDE Commentary 3 Key Dusty News 4 spouse Phantom paintings program goes make Air Feature 12 has base splish, Force Briefs 13 talking splash history Page 2 Page 4 Page 12 Space ObServer 2 Thursday, June 23, 2011 www.peterson.af.mil Key spouse program has base talking by monicA mendozA 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Th ere is a lot of talk going around Peterson Air Force Base. And wing leaders don’t want it to stop. Peterson spouses have united into one of the largest and most vibrant key spouse programs in the Air Force. Th rough a commitment to share information about today’s Air Force family they help keep squadron commanders informed on all the issues they face. Currently there are 75 men and women in the Key Spouse Networking Group, which is charged with a mission to connect wives and husbands of Airmen to social networks or support programs. “A lot of times, the spouses and unit mem- bers will talk to a spouse quicker than they would through offi cial channels,” said Mel Castile, Airman and Family Readiness Center personal and work life program leader. Th is month, the spouses met with Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing com- mander, for a chance to talk with him about such topics as deployed spouses, available counseling for youth, access to medical ap- pointments, and marriage counseling and programs. Sharing information is the key to the pro- Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, talks with the Key Spouse Networking Group June 16, 2011, at the Peterson Airman and Family Readiness gram, Colonel Whiting said. Sharing details Center. Communication among the spouses, and with squadron and unit leadership, is the key to lowering stress and connecting families with programs and services. and information can ease the stresses that The Key Spouse Networking Group meets once a month to discuss the issues that families face during deployments, relocations, fi nding schools, accessing medical families might be feeling regarding deploy- appointments, and more. (U.S. Air Force photo/Monica Mendoza) ments, relocation or force shaping. “Th ese are tough times in the Air Force,” and contractors - we are stressed and some dinator. Key spouses can help folks fi nd the Th e Air Force standardized the key spouse Colonel Whiting said. “We have more person- of that may manifest with someone in your right programs for their needs. program by giving spouses, commanders and nel than we are allowed by Congress.” house,” he said. Th e key spouse program started years ago as fi rst sergeants training on military programs Th at means there will be reduction in of- Th at’s where sharing information and talk- an informal way for spouses to share informa- and services available to Airmen and their fi cers and there is a cap on hiring for govern- ing to one another comes in. Th ere are dozens tion. It became formalized in the late 1990s families. ment employees, which will add stress to many of programs available to help military families, but fi zzled over time. Last year, the program “One of the reasons we have been success- families, he said. including the School Liaison Offi cer and the saw a revitalization as Air Force communities ful is because of strong leadership support,” “All across the Air Force - military, civilians Exceptional Family Member Program coor- celebrated Th e Year of the Air Force Family.