F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. -- Company grade officers from across Air Force Space Command participated in the first Space Professional Development Symposium here July 10 and 11.

More than 100 officers from Warren, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., Schriever AFB, Colo., Patrick AFB, Fla., Kirtland AFB, N.M., Buckley AFB, Colo., Vandenberg AFB, Calif., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Twentieth Air Force, and elsewhere were present to gain a better understanding of the big Air Force Space Command picture and ask questions of the leadership on areas such as professional development, assignments, the space professional program and various core areas of AFSPC.

The core areas represented by experts were satellite command and control, the National Reconnaissance Office, space and missiles testing, space lift, education and training and missile operations.

The agenda included the AFSPC mission overview, future systems, officer assignments, professional development, NSSI education programs, and expert sessions conducted by senior commanders and from around AFSPC.

Col. Michael Carey, 90th Space Wing commander, delivered the opening and closing remarks and a presentation titled the "River is Wide," which developed the framework for discussions on career paths, assignment selections and mentoring.

The symposium comes in the wake of AFSPC initiatives requiring certified space professionals to achieve at least 40 hours of continuing education annually.

Symposium participants earn credit and an opportunity to ask the experts from the Space Professional Management Office at headquarters, AFSPC, questions about the program.

By learning about the total AFSPC mission, the future of the command and available mission areas, company-grade officers were able to orient themselves, re-motivate themselves, and return to their wing with what they learned.

Colonel Carey said he was impressed by the turnout for the command's first-ever SPD symposium and pledged his support for another such event next year.