Warren rocks! Published March 3, 2008 By Col. David Martinez 90th Security Forces Group commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- I've been assigned to Warren for about eight months. I'm still getting used to understanding Twentieth Air Force issues, but I have come to know this base well. Our mission here is very important and one that most Americans know little about. The young men and women who perform this mission are outstanding Americans who often do not appreciate the work they do and the sacrifices they make. I am not just talking about the cops but all of the folks that are supporting the ICBM mission. Again, as a person that did not grow within this command, I did not have an appreciation for all of the hard work and the stress that is placed daily upon the 20th AF folks. The training, preparation, exercises and time away from the family takes its toll on our people. The harsh weather our folks have to endure is incredible. The miles it takes to get to the work location is tremendous. But even with all that, our folks do an excellent job and show enthusiasm each and every day. I visited my security forces at a missile alert facility, and from the facility manager to the on-site chef, everyone displayed pride in what they do and a sense of team. My cops bragged about the facility and how well they were being taken care of by the people at the MAF; it was all about the team. This is what I have encountered since my arrival at Warren: a sense of team. We have a wing commander who supports each of the missions and allows us to do our job. I have the pleasure of working with outstanding fellow group commanders who work as a team and support each other daily. They are a group of terrific personalities, and it is great to refer to them as friends. We have great commanders who are taking care of the troops each and every day and always support one another. We could not have better chief master sergeants than what we have here at Warren. Our chiefs, along with the newly arrived Chief Master Sgt., Tammy Elliott, 90th Space Wing command chief, continually make positive changes for our Airmen and the base. I attended an airman leadership school graduation last week. This is probably the fifth graduation I have attended since being assigned here. At past graduations, some of the units cheered their graduates, but other groups were not so enthusiastic. This last graduation, each group had developed their own cheers, and the morale at the club was unbelievable. There is an expression in the Air Force that it is not the location that makes a great assignment, but the people. My wife, Becky, and I could not be happier than we are here in Wyoming. I have a great group, great friends and feel a sense of pride each day I go to work. The local community is great, but it has been the people of this base that has made Warren a great assignment. To everyone who has supported our group and especially my young Airmen, I thank you all. We really have a great team, and because of that team, F.E. Warren rocks!