Mighty Ninety continues to do great things Published June 18, 2010 By Col. Greg Tims 90th Missile Wing commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- I just can't brag on the Mighty Ninety enough these days. Make no mistake about it -- you are doing a fantastic job. This is a no-nonsense mission that requires focus and demands discipline. This wing continues to excel in everything we do to include finishing up our last code change. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record when it comes to code changes, but it is by far our most complicated and critical peacetime task we accomplish. To better manage our resources and people, we took a look at a four-day code change versus a five-day. This was a good plan and helped save many miles driving by cutting it down by a day. Many teams were done in the very early afternoon on a five-day schedule. Therefore, moving to four-days maximized our efforts in the field. Well done Mighty Ninety! The good news continues to roll. It was a pleasure last Wednesday to hand Airman 1st Class Rolando "Danny" Catano, 15th Munitions Squadron, his Academy prepatory acceptance letter. Additionally, Airman 1st Class Andre Guthrie, 90th Force Support Squadron, was also selected. We wish them well as they move into a new phase in their Air Force careers. I saw a break in the schedule, so I grabbed Lt. Col. Trevor Flint, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander, and took off for the missile field. We stopped in on a code change penetration team out at the Kilo-09 Missile Site. I got a superb post brief by Senior Airman James Moore, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, followed by a very professional safety brief given by Staff Sgt. Demichah Rumph, 90th MOS. We went downstairs and were able to see Airman 1st Class Katie Choinere and Airman 1st Class Nancy Suarez, both 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron technicians. The facility maintenance team is in good hands with these two on the team. Later, I found out that Airman Suarez has just been selected for a below-the-zone promotion to senior airman. Quite frankly, it was no surprise to me -- congratulations Nancy. The 90th MOS mechanical and pnuedraulics section team members were finishing up conducting launcher equipment room shock isolator maintenance. Let me just say that these teams really have their act together. Thank you, Staff Sgt. Rob Remele, team chief, Staff Sgt. Luke Crenshaw and Senior Airman Aubrey Toney. We headed off to the Juliet-01 Missile Alert Facility. Master Sgt. Robert Cyr, 320th Missile Squadron, was the facility manager on duty. The place looked great! Senior Airman Matthew Wanner's lunch was first-class. Additionally, I enjoyed spending a few moments with the "Dustin Crew," 1st Lt. Dustin Petrash and 1st Lt. Dustin Mayne. This was Dustin Petrash's first alert as a commander, however, I thought he looked like a seasoned professional. We then headed out to the Lima-08 Launch Facility. There were multiple maintenance teams conducting LF launcher closure door lock-pin removal and replacement. After asking Staff Sgt. Trey Allen, 90th MMXS team chief, a great amount of questions, I was convinced there wasn't anything about the launcher closure mechanism and functions that he could not answer. Airman 1st Class Lilian Vidal-Contreras, 790th MSFS, smoked her post brief. Additionally, I got to chat with Bill Wagoner and Frank Huff, both from 90th MMXS corrosion control. These teams are out every day ensuring that all of the weapon system parts are working in proper order. It doesn't take long for corrosion to bring the weapon system to its knees. I sure do appreciate their hard work. Finally, I had a chance to watch Al Leo, Rivet MILE chief and Russell McClain's, RVM team leader, teams working on the lock pin assembly. When I say we have fabulous people in the Mighty Ninety, I mean everyone, to include our mission partners such as the Rivet MILE team from the 309th Missile Maintenance Group. Our contractors provide a critical service and are truly valued members of our team. I have learned throughout my 24 years that I can usually tell within the first minute of entering a missile alert facility, launch control center or launch facility if things are in proper order. Everyone we encountered at K-09, L-08 and J-01 not only had their act together, but excelled in what they do. I could not be more pleased at the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of the 90th Missile Wing. I also have some more good news I'd like to share with you. As many of you know, I'm part of the coaching staff for my son's 11-year-old All Star team. Last week, we entered into a 12-team tournament in Winsor against teams from all over Colorado and Nebraska and walked out with the first place trophy. This win was particularly sweet by three accounts. First, our team has been practicing since January. The kids have definitely put in the time to hone their skills. Secondly, it was our first tournament win. Finally, the first two teams we played thought they were going to walk all over us. They both had superior records and had won a few tournaments this year. I know this for a fact because I coach first base and could over hear the opponents talking in their dugout. They were already looking past us and to the next game. We won the first game 8-0 and the mercy rule was applied on the second win in the fourth inning with a score of 15-3. I really enjoy being a part of Cheyenne baseball. Our team is getting a reputation of a team filled with young men of character, focus and who thrive on playing hard-nosed baseball. Our kids are not afraid to dive for balls or stretch out a single into a double by relying on shear will and hustle. As I thought back to our tournament win, I couldn't help reflect that good teams, like ours here in the 90th Missile Wing, not only understand some of these basic concepts but can apply then as well. We have put the hours into refining our combat capability -- and it shows. We never look past the obstacle in front of us and have a reputation for conquering every challenge that we face -- look at our inspection record (7-0). We are a unit with character, focus and heart. Our Airmen go daily well beyond our expectations. And as you have heard me say before, we are a blue-collar team who takes on a hard-nosed attitude whether we are preparing for a code change, properly checking out a launch facility, completing a construction project on base, ensuring our personnel reliability program is flawless, and the list goes on and on. So what is the byproduct of all of this? It is right in our mission statement; it's about producing combat capability. Our standards are high, and they need to be. We follow prescribed procedures and policies. Our mission is critical, and we don't ever lose sight that the citizens and leadership of our nation rely on us. They just don't count on us Monday through Friday or when world tensions increase. Our mission is one that requires a silent commitment every single day--24-7-365. You deliver, and it shows. Go Forth and Conquer!