F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. -- We had a superb end of fiscal year closeout. What a great team effort with our comptroller and contracting squadrons leading the way. While they both stay busy all year long, the last week of September is especially challenging as we try to spend every dollar wisely and carefully. We stayed in constant contact with Air Force Global Strike Command to conduct what I would call a very smooth and well executed process this year.

The last few days I dropped in to see Lt. Col. Chris Nutting, 90th Comptroller Squadron commander, Jim Dockter, and their 90th CPTS team. They explained to me we did better than expected. However, I do know that being ready for more is always key in this process. I then stopped in on Maj. David Wilson, 90th Contracting Squadron commander and his 90th CONS team. I always enjoy talking to these wonderful professionals, because they are the ones who help turn visions into realities. Not only were we discussing the end of year issues, we were going over the multitude of projects that have occurred this past year including those ranging from paving our munitions storage area to our newly purchased gym items.

By all accounts, it's been a huge success for the wing - great teamwork by our organizations and a pretty smooth process for all. This is just another example of the great people in this wing and the focus and dedication everyone gives to ensure the common goal of providing a formidable reality of combat capability.

We held another "Blitz the Field" event Sept. 30. This is where the colonels and chiefs are divided into teams and joined with evaluators from the 90th Operations Group, 90th Security Forces Group and 90th Maintenance Group. I really like these structured looks, because we get a chance to see our Airmen in action and then come back and conduct an extensive hot wash. Basically, it gives the wing leadership a gauge on daily excellence.

My team consisted of Capt. Mark Andrew, 90th OG, and Chief Master Sgt. (sel) Stacey Weber, 90th MXG. After our initial inbrief, we boarded a helicopter piloted by Captain Emily Ladd and 1st Lt Adam Smith, both 37th Helicopter Squadron and headed for Missile Alert Facility Oscar-01. I had just flown with Senior Airman Marke St. Hill, 37th HS, last week, so when I saw his face, I knew our flight engineer for this trip was the cream of the crop.

While I won't give you a play-by-play of everything we saw out there, I will say every time I go out in the field, I learn something. Now, I have been doing this for almost 25 years and it still holds true today. Some things looked really good, while we identified other things still needing some work. But, one interaction I do wish to share with you is when we went to Launch Facility Oscar-08.

Staff Sgt. Carey Burgess, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, and his team were installing a diesel electric unit. The site supervisor was Tech. Sgt. Matthew Trapp, 90th MMXS. I could feel the high energy from them as well as the other eight facility maintenance team members I met on site. This team really had it together. Their sense of teamwork and duty to their mission was simply inspiring. The eight other members were Staff Sgt. Markeus Lee, Senior Airman Nancy Teslich, Airman 1st Class Michael Distefano, Airman 1st Class Nathan Jordan, Airman 1st Class Nicholas Kantor, Airman 1st Class Andrew Oetzel and Airman 1st Class Katie Choiniere, all from the 90th MMXS. What a pleasure it was to spend time with such a dedicated team of Airmen.

Another star performer highlighted by Col. Scott Fox, 90th Missile Wing vice commander, during our "Blitz the Field" last Thursday was Staff Sgt. Dominic Troia of the 320th Missile Squadron. Posted as the facility manager at MAF Foxtrot-01, everything he did stood out as outstanding. His motivation, knowledge and confidence shone brightly in every part of the visit. Great job Dominic!

I was told that Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, coined Staff Sgt. Nicholas White, 90th Security Forces Squadron, and Ben, his military working dog, this past Saturday at the Air Force versus Navy game. They were they providing security. Thanks Nick and hats off to you and Ben for being there to ensure all could safely watch the game.

If you haven't heard, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a serious crime that affects all people, young and old. Bonnie Scotto, 90th MW Judge Advocate, is our coordinator this year for several upcoming awareness events. I hope to see you at one of these to help make those more aware of this issue, as well as to continue to develop ways to eliminate it.

Last Saturday, we kicked off fire prevention week at the base fire station. We had a great showing and it was fun to sit back and watch the younger kids interact with the firefighters and work through the many events that Chief John McDougal, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron and his team had to offer. It was a first-class open house, but what else would you expect from the best small fire department in the Department of Defense?

Go Forth and Conquer!