Schriever Air Force Base VOL. 9, NO. 20 May 17, 2007 www.schriever.af.mil Sky Sox honor local Air Force Community Page 12 News Briefs Morrell Award dinner Integrated ops center a reality The 50th Operations Group will hold its annual Maj. Gen. WIOC gives wing situational awareness of space assets Jimmey R. Morrell Award din- ner at the Peterson Air Force Base By Staff Sgt. Don Branum Consolidated Club June 8. 50th Space Wing Public Affairs Prices are $15 for servicemem- bers in E-1 to E-6 pay grades, $20 The Wing Integrated Operations Center, first introduced during for E-7 to E-9 pay grades and com- a presentation of the 50th Space Wing’s vision in May 2006, became pany grade officers, and $25 for reality May 16 during a ceremony in Building 400 here. field grade officers and above. “The WIOC is more than a room, and it is more than a build- For ticket information, contact ing,” said Col. John Hyten, 50th SW commander, at the ribbon 1st Lt. Jamey Richardi, 2nd Space cutting. Operations Squadron, at 567-3767. The WIOC is a concept that will give the wing situational aware- ness of its space assets and communications and support resources, Col. Hyten farewell dinner allowing the wing to respond as a single entity to a coordinated attack on its capabilities, Colonel Hyten said. The Schriever community is in- “This is Phase 0 – this is not the final answer,” he said. “We vited to attend a farewell dinner for need to fight our weapons systems and continue to deliver combat Col. John Hyten, 50th Space Wing effects, and we have to look at the WIOC as a small step toward commander, and his family at the doing business in a better way.” Peterson Air Force Base Consolidated The WIOC is intended to build situational awareness for space Club May 21 at 6 p.m. The dinner is $15 for club mem- operations squadrons and the 50th SW, as well as the Joint Space bers and $18 for non-members. Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., said Maj. For more information, including Chad Riden, WIOC director and 50th SW weapons officer. ticket sales representatives, contact “Someone in the 1st Space Operations Squadron has situational Alicia Chavez, 50th SW Protocol, awareness of what’s happening in their squadron, but not what’s at 567-5048. happening in 2nd, 3rd or 4th SOPS,” Major Riden said. “People in other squadrons may be dealing with similar anomalies but don’t have the awareness to build overall situational awareness of what’s Hubble Avenue to close going on. The WIOC can build that picture and push it back down Hubble Avenue is scheduled to to the squadrons.” close May 23 for road repair and re- During the Space Flag 07-1 exercise, the JSPOC contacted person- Photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum paving, with a projected reopening nel in 3rd SOPS to get information during a scenario, Major Riden date of June 10. Drivers who nor- said, which affected the squadron’s ability to perform its mission. mally use Hubble Avenue should “Now the JSPOC can make one phone call instead of four, get divert onto Falcon Parkway. the same space situational awareness and free the people in the For more information, call squadrons to fight their weapons systems,” he added. Dave Barnett, 50th Civil Engineer Watch officers from each space operations squadron, orbital ana- From left: Maj. Chad Riden, Col. John Hyten and Lt. Col. Rory Welch cut a ribbon to celebrate Squadron, at 567-4728. lysts, the intelligence community and the 50th Network Operations the official opening of the Wing Integrated Operations Center here May 16. Major Riden is the Group are present to explain weapons system issues. WIOC director, Colonel Hyten is 50th Space Wing Commander, and Colonel Welch is director Peterson gate hours change “Each system speaks a slightly different language,” Major Riden of operations for the 3rd Space Operations Squadron. The WIOC is the 50th SW’s first step Peterson Air Force Base will said. “This way, everyone’s in one spot so that the wing is fight- toward giving the wing situational awareness of its space assets and communications and change the hours of operation See WIOC page 7 support resources. for its north and east gates begin- ning June 1. The North Gate will be closed weekends and federal holidays. It will be open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The East Gate SECAF sets sights on Space Command adjoining Marksheffel Road will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays By Tech. Sgt. Kate Rust “Space is approaching a $200-billion global industry,” said General and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends and Air Force Space Command Public Affairs Chilton. “The world has come to depend heavily on space.” federal holidays. “Setting the strategic conditions for victory starts right here in (Air Secretary Wynne also holds that opinion, stating that AFSPC continues For information, contact the 21st Force) Space Command,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. to be there for the nation and the world. Security Forces Squadron’s Police Wynne as he visited Headquarters AFSPC May 7. Clearly a priority, the general led the day’s discussions with space Services Section at 556-6282 or Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, met with the secretary for professional development. And National Security Space Institute rep- 556-8235. an office call and several briefings, focusing on the command’s mission resentatives provided background information and training status to as well as current training initiatives. the secretary. “We were very proud to present the success of the Space Professional Learn contracting ins, outs Development Program, since it is critical to enabling the command’s The 50th Contracting Squadron priority of developing and retaining people with necessary expertise,” here will hold a Contracting 101 said Maj. Denise Harris, Space Professional Management Office at HQ class May 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in AFSPC. “It is an Air Force-level program focusing on career develop- the DeKok Building, Room 346, for ment, which ensures we have highly competent, motivated Airmen with customers interested in becoming the depth and breadth of skills to deliver space power.” more familiar with the government When the discussion turned to retaining space professionals, the acquisition process. secretary indicated he is “pushing hard to make professional training Topics will include building a relevant to personal goals.” As it stands, it can be problematic to pursue requirements package, proper use a graduate degree due to course availability and funding, according to of funds, and preparing for the end the Space Professional Management office. The command has a number of the fiscal year. of initiatives which include a space certificate pilot program and on-line To register for the class or for distance learning. more information, contact Capt. “Once you’re in space,” he said, “the bug hits you, and you don’t want Edgard Flores of 50th CONS at to leave,” continued Secretary Wynne, referring to careers based around 567-3439 before May 18. space operations. “To offer advanced academic degrees in the space More Briefs page 14 fields could help secure professionals beyond 25 years to 35 and even 45 years.” The Air Force’s senior leader was here for half a day, and the general Inside took every opportunity to showcase the command. The Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne met with Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, “I relish each opportunity to show off the people and mission of Air News ............................1-5 Commander of Air Force Space Command, and senior leadership May 7, for an orientation Force Space Command,” said General Chilton. “I can’t tell you how Chief’s Pick ......................6 on the command and several focus areas, including Space Professional Development fortunate I feel to be in this job and be assigned here at Peterson and in Sports ..............................10 and the National Space Security Institute. command of the greatest space force in the history of the world.” Satellite Flyer 2 May 17, 2007 Commentary www.schriever.af.mil Satellite Flyer www.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007 3 Commander’s call focuses on Wing’s future By Staff Sgt. Don Branum Extremely High Frequency satellites, GPS, 50TH SPACE WING COMMANDER 50th Space Wing Public Affairs the Space-Based Space Surveillance system “We fight and win on the COL. JOHN HYTEN, The 50th Space – we’re going to operate all those capabili- Chief of Public Affairs Wing commander ties with the same number of people we have battlefield because of what Ed Parsons shared his insight today. “We cannot continue to do business the Chief of Internal Information about the wing’s fu- way we’re doing it today. We have to integrate we do here everyday. We Capt. Jean Duggan ture direction during a commander’s call where we can; we can’t afford to stovepipe,” Editor in the Main Fitness he added. cannot fail – we have Staff Sgt. Don Branum Center here May 10. The increasing operations tempo also af- Staff Reporter Colonel Hyten be- fects the 50th Network Operations Group, to continue to do great Lorna Gutierrez gan his commander’s which provides ground-to-space commu- Layout and Design call by discussing the nications through the Air Force Satellite things.” Jeff Adcox tremendous breadth Col. John E. Hyten Control Network in addition to Defense of activities going on Commander, Switched Network operator service and a Col. John E.