Continual community commitment is impressive Published July 30, 2010 By Col. Greg Tims 90th Missile Wing commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO. -- I just wanted to be sure to thank all the volunteers from the base who work CFD. Every corner I turn when I'm at the park, it seems I run into someone who had graciously volunteered their time to work the various jobs available. While you may not get many pats on the back for doing this, I would like to ensure you hear it from me. Thank you for your continual commitment to our community. You not only do it during CFD, but all year around. Just as impressive, our mission never misses a beat. My hat's off to all our volunteers for your selfless service. Last week, I took my physical fitness test with Scott Flack, 90th Force Support Squadron. Scott is one of our fitness assessment cell monitors. He not only will help ensure the test is accomplished correctly, but his motivational skills are perfect. Thanks Scott -- I'll see you next year. I hope you have noticed how nice the base looks. Thank you to all who helped out in last week's mayoral day. While we sometimes struggle keeping the base trash free when the wind picks up, I have been very impressed in the last couple of months. One reason our base looks so clean is our summer hire program. We have 30 student summer hires who work in the civil engineer squadron, contracting, force support squadron, security forces group and the missile wing staff. While some are involved in clerical duties, many are around ensuring the base looks perfect every day. They also have been instrumental in preparing for Fort D.A. Russell Days. I have run into several of them and am inspired by their upbeat attitude and willingness to go the extra mile. I sure do appreciate their hard work and truly consider them a part of the Mighty Ninety. Additionally, I want to share a quick story with you. I was running one morning around the parade field track when I noticed someone way ahead running who stopped, picked up a plastic bag and proceeded on his run. When he ran by a trash can he threw the trash away. I never could catch up to him to say thanks, but I was most impressed that someone on their run took the time to pick up trash. The level of excellence we have is very impressive to see on a daily basis. Members of this wing take pride in the base and the mission and it shows! We had a great visit with Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, Air Force Global Strike Command commander and his wife Nancy this past week. Lt. Col. Paul Johnson, 90th Operations Group deputy commander, was the point of contact between his leadership and Vicki Liles, 90th Missile Wing Protocol, and her fabulous staff; the visit was simply first-class. General Klotz was the Grand Marshal for Cheyenne Frontier Days. However, before the parade started, we had a chance to take him out to Alpha-01. This was a homerun by Lt. Col. Dave Martinson, 319th Missile Squadron commander and his folks at A-01. The facility manager, Master Sgt. Troy Holbrook, and chef, Senior Airman Patrick Luma, set the professional tone right from the start. 1st Lt. John Adams and 2nd Lt. Andrea Patrick provided the general with a flight status briefing and had a chance to run a few checklists for him to observe. Master Sgt. Kevin Polson, Staff Sgt. Brian Stokes and Airmen 1st Class Bryan Gill and Robert Johnsen, all from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, did a superb job answering his questions about security forces issues. Additionally, Senior Airman Justin Ridenour, and Airmen 1st Class Henry Hewitt, Adam Guy and Dela Wood had a chance to demonstrate their weapons capability under the oversight of Tech. Sgt. Brian Valentine and Airman 1st Class Robert Walls. Well done to you all. After his trip to the field, General Klotz had lunch with our chiefs at the dining facility. Next, he had a chance to congratulate John McDougall, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief and his firefighters as they just won the Air Force Best Small Department category and now will compete at the Department of Defense level. General Klotz' last stop was to our codes shop. I really believe Major Gabe Harris, 90th Operations Support Squadron, and his team, run the most professional and most efficient codes shop I have seen in 24 years. What a fabulous event to have General Klotz ride in the CFD parade as the Grand Marshall the following day. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes tour as well as seeing Paula Taylor, 90th MW, in action at Fort D.A. Russell Days. Paula does such a wonderful job each year preserving our base's history and allowing others to experience the past. I thank her and all the volunteers for a job well done. We held a party at our house in General Klotz' honor. Julie had a great idea to take Rodney Atkins' song, "It's America," and build this year's theme off of it. This party also allowed us to say thank you to the local and surrounding community and its leaders. We saw kids serving lemonade, a high school prom and a ride in a Chevrolet, neighbors helping each other out, a flag blowing in the summer wind over a fallen hero's grave. The lyrics certainly build a picture of Cheyenne, our military and our nation. Thanks to Col. Steve Miller, 90th Security Forces Group commander and Staff Sgt. Andrew Denike, 90th Security Support Squadron, for providing the vehicles. Julie and I were grateful for the many folks who ensured we appropriately captured this year's theme. Maj. Joel Briske, 90th MSFS commander, Kelcy Stefansson, Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Dave Clark, 90th MW Safety, Staff Sgt. Jackie Austin and many others ensured every aspect of food preparation was done to perfection. Jill Miller, Diana Boyle, and Lynn Clouse made the best cobblers I have ever tasted! The team leads were indispensable and my sincerest appreciation goes out to Master Sgts. Dave Eckmann, 90th SSPTS and Brain Sartori, 90th SFG, Tech. Sgts. Penni Williams, and Bryan Sammons, Staff Sgt. Lawrence Vaden, 90 SSPTS. 1st Lt. Alana Bates, 319th MS, did a great job ensuring the beverage setup was ready and Staff Sgt. Preston Lane, 90th CES, ensured old glory was flying strong and proud. Go Forth and Conquer!