COMMANDER’S CORNER: WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT AFSPC BANQUET - PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, May 1, 2008 Vol. 52 No. 18 21st SCS competes in 2008 Guardian Challenge By Senior Airman Stephen Collier base could lose a signifi cant portion of its ability 21st Space Wing Public Affairs to communicate. Th e 21st Space Communications Squadron’s “Th e tech control facility is the heart of the two-man team tried to prove they’re the (space communications) squadron with the “best of the best” April 22 during the 2008 limbs coming from our sister fl ights,” he said. Guardian Challenge communications squad- His counterpart, Airman Needham, wasn’t ron competition. as thrilled in the beginning. Competing in the Air Force Space Command- “It was stressful (for me). I was nervous wide event, Senior Airmen Jack Needham and as heck,” Airman Needham said. “And once Jeremiah Toney, both technical controllers in Colonel (Jay) Raymond visited, my stomach the 21st SCS, were competing against rival com- dropped. But once the competition started, the munications squadrons to show who was better nervousness went away. Th at’s when we went at supporting a space-based mission. into the ‘get-it-done’ mode.” “Th e competition was good; it’s what we Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing com- expected,” Airman Toney said. “Th ere was mander, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Omdal, a moderate amount of fun. Overall, it was the wing’s command chief, visited the Guardian enjoyable.” Challenge competitors to help bolster their mo- Th e competition challenged the Airmen in sev- rale beforehand. Colonel Raymond assured the eral areas of communications expertise, including Airmen they would win if they continued to communication security, or ‘COMSEC,’ proce- communicate with one another during any chal- dures. Th ey were also tested on emergency pro- lenges they faced. cedures in the event of damage to the squadron’s “While you’re going through the competition, facility from a fi re or other natural disaster. press on with each challenge before you,” the Before competing, inspectors briefed the colonel said. “Stay professional, don’t dwell on Airmen on safety procedures. Aft erward, they errors and communicate back and forth and handed out scenario cards for Airmen Needham you will win.” and Toney to react to. Airman Toney said the With the competition behind them and competition proved that if they didn’t react in anxiously awaiting the results at the Guardian a timely manner in a real-world scenario, the Challenge score presentation in early May, Airman Needham said it felt good to be chosen Senior Airmen Jeremiah Toney (left) and Jack Needham, to represent their squadron. 21st Space Communications Squadron technical control- “It’s an honor to represent comm(unications),” lers, perform operational checks on fi ber cables before he said. “It’s also cool to be recognized by the the 2008 Guardian Challenge competition April 22 at people you work with because they know you’re Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The 21st SCS is compet- doing your job the best you can.” ing against fellow communication squadrons at Buckley Airmen Toney and Needham will represent and Schriever AFBs in Colorado. The competition allows their squadron once more during Guardian inspectors to determine which communications squadron Challenge events and activities, including a local is best at supporting a space mission through technical Sky Sox game in Colorado Springs, Colo., and U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Collier control functions. in attendance at the offi cial GC ceremony. City manager visits Peterson By Corey Dahl “Not just as a city manager, but as Air Force Space Command’s Space Observer a citizen, I want to just say that I Th e new Colorado Springs city man- ager visited Peterson April 24 to speak appreciate everything our military Outstanding NCO of the Year with base leaders and take her fi rst tour members are doing for us” Staff Sgt. Rory Sturm, Jr., 721st Security Forces Squadron, 721st Mission Support Group, of the base. displayed selfl ess acts of valor and heroism by replacing a wounded gunner during an enemy Just weeks after Doctor Penelope ambush, saving 12 lives. For his actions, he Culbreth-Graft stepped into the city man- Doctor Penelope Culbreth-Graft, was awarded the 21st Space Wing’s fi rst Air ager position in January, she was already Colorado Springs City Manager Force Combat Action Medal. While de- calling 21st Space Wing leadership good ployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq, he supported wingmen. 3,000 coalition forces maintaining security And being a good wingman is just said. of over 12,000 detainees and $300 million the type of relationship the doctor, who “Th e whole notion of a fl awless organi- in government assets. As fl ight armorer, he previously was a city administrator in zation, when you fi rst hear it, is just out- managed and ensured 100 percent account- Huntington Beach, Calif., would like to see rageous,” she said. “You don’t think it’s ability for more than $400,000 of weapons, continue between Peterson and Colorado possible. But when you step on the base, munitions and equipment. Additionally, Springs. Doctor Culbreth-Graft said she’s you really get that impression.” for his steadfast leadership and bravery, looking forward to working with Peterson Col. Jay Raymond, 21st SW commander, Sergeant Strum was selected as the 21st SW on issues that aff ect both the base and the kicked off the visit with a wing mission Lance P. Sijan Award winner. Constantly city. briefi ng to help educate Dr. Culbreth-Graft striving for excellence, he completed 12 “I’d like to see us continue to build on on how the 21st SW provides fl awless space credit hours toward a Community College our relationship,” she said. “And I think it surveillance to the U.S. and its allies. Aft er of the Air Force Criminal Justice Degree. will continue to be a positive one.” the brief, Colonel Raymond echoed the Finally, he devoted 16 hours to the DASH Dr. Culbreth-Graft said she was im- city manager’s comments on the positive program; credited with saving four lives pressed by everything she saw on Peterson relationship the base maintains with the and increasing community safety. Sergeant — the grounds, the people, the missions. city of Colorado Springs. Strum is currently on a 365-day deployment Th e base seems to live up to its mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. of providing “fl awless” operations, she See Manager page 10 U.S. Air Force photo INSIDE 2008 Guardian Challenge Arbor Day News 1-5 Teams from around Air Force Space Children from the CDC plant the Blue Military Spouse Briefs 6 Command arrive at Peterson Spruce trees on base Appreciation Day Movie Times 9 May 6 Surveillance Tips 11 Page 12-15 Page 4 Page 6 Sports 16 SPACE OBSERVER 2 Thursday, May 1, 2008 www.peterson.af.mil Mother’s Day made easy. buy one phone, get one free. $4999 after $50 mail-in rebate debit card. 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