Commentary Search

Mighty Ninety highly motivated in all they do

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
What a treat we had last week hosting Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy and his lovely wife Paula. What a team effort between the 90th Missile Wing Protocol; Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson, 90th MW command chief; and Chaplain (Maj.) Alan "AC" Chouest, 90th MW Chaplain, to coordinate the visit and take care of the many details to ensure the visit was a huge success. I really appreciate Chief Roy providing closing comments at our NCO Induction Luncheon and for being the guest speaker the following day at our National Prayer Luncheon.

I'd like thank my wife Julie, Kim Anderson, and Mrs. Sandy Chouest who escorted Mrs. Roy to many places on this base showing her the life style that we live in ICBMs. Chief Roy also went to numerous places on base, his message back to me was one I hear often-we have professional and very motivated Airmen in the wing.

I really appreciate the efforts of Vicki Liles, 90th MW Protocol, and her top notch team, AC, Chaplain (Capt.) Shane Marley, and the Chapel Staff for talking the time to ensure every facet of this visit went smoothly.

Like I told Chief and Mrs. Roy, they could have flown to a thousand different places last week, but chose to accept our invitation. We here are their biggest fans, and we appreciate what they do for our Airmen, Air Force Global Strike Command and our Air Force. I told them if they ever need a break from the beltway they are welcomed back anytime -- no advance notice needed!

If you missed the National Prayer Luncheon last Thursday, you missed a good one. Not only was Chief Roy's message heartfelt and moving, but Capt. Tom McGillicuddy, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, did a superb job as the emcee and we had many inspirational readings and prayers. I can't pass up this opportunity to say that every time I see 1st Lt. William McCoy, 319th Missile Squadron, I can't help but get my batteries recharged with his smile and testimony. I've said it many times and I'll say it again, it is a thrill to see Will's smiling face around base-thank you for sharing your message with the wing!

We also had a great visit by Maj. Gen. William A. Chambers, Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. He is the second person to hold this title -- Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston, 20th Air Force commander, was the first. He was here to observe the ICBM mission up close and personal.

Let me start off by saying that Airman 1st Class Justin Hines, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, did a superb job driving the surrey. General Chambers coined him on his superb performance and his top-notch professionalism. Nice job, Justin!

The tour began with a superb Uniform-01 tour led by Senior Master Sgt. Marc Vogt, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron, showing the general the impressive array of job knowledge and professionalism possessed by the men and women of the Mighty Ninety. General Chambers also attended Operations Squadron pre-departure and observed first-hand the importance of ensuring all facets of a pre-deployment are carefully scrutinized within our operations group.

The general then received a maintenance facilities briefing by Col. Don Adams, 90th Maintenance Group commander, and got an upclose and personal look into maintenance operations.

Also, hats off to Airman 1st Class Shemera Calhoon and Senior Airman Sherman Hernandez, 15th Munitions Squadron, for doing an outstanding job during the tour as well!

In the afternoon, the general was driven to Missile Alert Facility Alpha-01 by Lt. Col. David Martinson, 319th MS commander and project officer for this tour. Great job Dave! While onsite at Alpha-01, General Chambers observed a complete missile combat crew change-over conducted by 1st Lt. Frank Timothy, 1st Lt. Mark Wullschleger, both with the 319th MS, Capt. Charles Cook and 1st Lt. Michael Stanton, both with the 90th Operations Support Squadron.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Withey, flight security controller with the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, Airman First Class Evaristo Mares, a security response team leader with the 90th MSFS and Airman 1st Class Francisco Osoria, SRT member with the 90th MSFS, ensured all of the general's questions on security were answered. Because of the efforts of Tech. Sgt. James Dunn, a facility manager with the 319th MS, the MAF looked great. I always enjoy eating out at the MAFs and why not when you get superb meals such as the one Senior Airman William Shelby and Airman First Class Jessica Chivers, both chefs with the 319th MS, cooked up! Well done William and Jessica -- what a great lunch!

Transportation back was provided by Capt. Robert Konowicz, and Capt. Quentin Rohlfs, both with the 37th Helicopter Squadron. ("Mustache March" is indeed alive and well within the 37th HS!) What a win-win for everyone that day. My hat goes off to all of the supporting units that make this type of visit such a success.

I have to share with you a very special event Julie and I attended last Sunday. It was John and Irene Johnigan's sixtieth wedding anniversary. Both Irene and John know how we feel about them -- F. E. Warren can't thank them enough for what they do for our base and our Airmen. Congratulations to you both!

Finally, the limited no-notice nuclear surety inspection finished up last Friday. The one nugget I want to share with you is they told me it was obvious that Warren is highly motivated and takes great pride in what they do. This comment was no surprise to me! In fact, it was the same message Chief Roy shared with me during his visit. Well done Mighty Ninety, well done!

Go Forth and Conquer!