PR ST STD US Postage PAID Cañon City, CO Permit 56 “2003 AFSPC Best Large Wing PA Office” Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Vol. 48 No. 44 Photo by Airman Mandy Weightman Photo by Airman Mandy Weightman Photo by Airman Mandy Weightman Photo by Walt Johnson Inside This Issue: Blotter ... 9 At Your Service ... 12 Snow Call 556-SNOW SPACE OBSERVER 2 Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 FROM THE TOP Stressed Airmen – who’s your wingman? By Gen. John P. Jumper tinuous workload. More stress comes November begins the busy holi- It is you who can spot the first signs of Chief of Staff of the Air Force from uncertainty. day season. This is a time of celebra- trouble, and you who are in the best In addition, increased AEF tion, but also a time when stress rises. position to listen and engage. Stress is nothing new to military deployment periods, force restructur- Our major commands will be placing Airmen – be good wingmen. Take life and there are many factors that con- ing, Non-Commissioned Officer special emphasis on stress-related care of yourself and those around tribute to this. retraining and OSD’s BRAC assess- issues during the month of November. you. Step in when your wingman But lately, stress has been taking ments and potential base closures may We will re-emphasize the support serv- needs help. Signs of stress and suicide its toll on our Airmen. suggest an ambiguous or unstable ices available, review the signs of stress should not be dismissed. Neither Our suicide rate is skyrocketing future to some Airmen. This can often and remind all Airmen what it means to should senseless risks to life and while accidental deaths are more than lead to other stress factors, like family look out for each other – to be good limb because of improper safety and 36 percent above what they were four or relationship problems, financial or wingmen. irresponsible behavior. years ago. We lost 57 people to suicide legal problems, and substance abuse. However, this problem cannot be In today’s expeditionary Air in the past year – a dramatic, and tragic We are taking steps to mitigate solved through programs and training Force, commanders and supervisors are increase from last year. We lost another some of these factors, but stress will sessions alone. It’s going to take an often deployed. We rely on those who 99 Airmen to accidents. Combined, always be a concern. Stress is a prob- effort from the whole force, from our remain behind as acting commanders that’s an order of magnitude greater lem we can manage. The Air Force commanders and supervisors to every and supervisors to be familiar with the than our combat losses in both Iraq and leadership is confronting this problem. Airman in the force. It will take your stresses confronting their Airmen and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001. We cannot relieve the tempo of deploy- total commitment. to be familiar with all the tools neces- We’re causing ourselves more harm ment. When our nation calls, we must Commanders – you bear the sary to deal with these stresses. than the enemy. respond. However, we can and will responsibility for the total welfare of I need everyone’s help on this. We must do a better job of looking work to provide our Airmen with the our greatest asset – Airmen. You are Take care of your wingmen on the after one another – be better wingmen. support they need to carry their load. responsible for their physical, emotion- ground so we can continue to confront Our jobs are inherently stressful. We are reinvigorating our suicide al, social and spiritual well-being. Use America’s enemies from air and space. This is a fact of our profession. We prevention program that had dramati- your base resources. You should know Stress is not going away; it is a have more than 30,000 Airmen cally dropped the number of suicides when your Airmen need help and where reality we must accept and manage. We deployed across the globe, with more over the past seven years. The program to send them to get it. are the world’s greatest Air and Space than 7,000 of them in a combat envi- worked, but it needs a shot in the Supervisors – you are our first Power because of you, America’s ronment. Many Airmen are now on arm. Along with suicide prevention, line of defense. Like commanders, you Airmen. The needless loss of one their sixth deployment in 10 years. we’re continuing to focus on safety are responsible for the well-being of the Airman is one loss too many. Those at home face increased work and risk management, with zero people you supervise. It is you who Look out for each other – look out hours, inconsistent manning and a con- mishaps as our goal. look every Airman in the eye every day. for your wingman. Commander pilots motorcycle; safety rides shotgun By General Lance W. Lord cycle riders provided a few personnel, this means attend- tage. It is important to “flight and programs to match novices Air Force Space Command commander great safety reminders I’d ing the proper motorcycle- plan” our ride ahead of time, with more experienced riders like to share. training course before you considering all the potential are designed to make the sport This year, I was privi- It was surprising to see ride. Just like wearing proper dangers we may face. safer and more enjoyable leged to participate as a how many riders did not wear safety gear, the training course Remember, every ride is a for all. I encourage you to guest speaker in the Salute protective gear. As all Air is not optional. The rules are “combat sortie” and we must become a member. to American Veterans Motor- Force motorcyclists know, we spelled out in AFI 91-207. If plan accordingly. Our day at Cripple Creek cycle Rally in Cripple Creek, have regulations mandating you’re a rider, be sure you Finally, for riders at was perfect. We got to ride an annual event honoring those the wear of prescribed safety know the rules and that you’ve Peterson, Patrick and Los in beautiful country, enjoy who have sacrificed in service gear – it’s not optional. It is attended the required training. Angeles Air Force Bases, your the camaraderie of thousands to our country. Several of amazing to me that someone Third, and perhaps most base-level motorcycle clubs of fellow riders and pay tribute us formed a group and rode would choose not to wear important, we all must under- are an outstanding resource for to those who have served from Colorado Springs to the “armor,” optional or not. In a stand the risks we’re taking fun, camaraderie and safety America. It was a great day, in rally in Cripple Creek. The serious mishap, the proper when we ride and plan for tips. The clubs are part of an large part because there were 45-mile ride through moun- protective equipment can liter- them. Any encounter between Air Force-wide test program. no accidents. As responsible tainous terrain was exhilarat- ally make the difference a motorcycle and an automo- They are laying the foundation motorcycle riders we must ing while spending the day between life and death. bile, bridge abutment, for motorcycle clubs that will go the extra mile to be sure all in such a beautiful setting was Second, I was reminded guardrail, etc is never a fair be formed at other bases of our motorcycle outings end truly inspiring. The interaction of the value of knowing how to fight – the motorcycle rider is across the Air Force in coming with that same great feeling with such a variety of motor- ride properly. For Air Force always at a severe disadvan- months. Their organized rides of satisfaction. A Moment in Time ! Nov. 1, 1995 – Wright-Patterson Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado AFB, Ohio, hosts the presidents of 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 for members of the U.S. Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia for peace military services. 21st Space Wing Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Commander talks designed to end the war in the for- the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute Brig. Gen. Richard E. Webber endorsement by DOD, the Department of the Air Force, or CSMNG, of the products or services advertised. Everything Chief of Public Affairs mer Yugoslavia. advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, reli- Capt. Amy Sufak gion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of Editorial Staff ! Nov. 4, 1960 – The U.S. Air Force the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office, 775 Editor revealed the use of a converted C-97 as Loring Ave., Suite 218, Peterson AFB, Colo., 80914-1294, (719) 556-4351 or DSN 834-4351, fax (719) 556-7848 or Staff Sgt. Denise Johnson DSN 834-7848. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated.