Pride, honor, respect radiates across wing

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  I just can't say enough about the daily performance of the men and women of the Mighty Ninety. We just finished our second of three code changes. This time the weapon system did not cooperate quite like the first code change, but the Airmen involved didn't even blink. They handled issues with a few non-cooperative B-plugs in an outstanding manner. Additionally, they had to deal with tornadoes and other severe weather. No matter how difficult the challenge, it was easily conquered. Let's be clear on one thing, while it may appear easy, it takes a tremendous amount of pre planning and then toughness to see a code change through completion. Looks to me like we continue make evident to all others that preeminent combat capability starts here at F.E. Warren.

I got another e-mail this week praising one of our gate guards, Senior Airman William Berrios, 90th Security Forces Squadron. The e-mail stated, "No matter what part of his duty cycle he's in, despite how horrific the Wyoming weather may be, he always greets me with a smile. His attitude is upbeat, professional and cordial. His uniform is always perfect - crisp, clean, looking very sharp." I agree -- every time I see him I see a young man with a very bright Air Force future. Sometimes the only thing that separates the great from the good is attitude -- well done Will!

Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson, 90th Missile Wing command chief, Capt. Bob Evans, 90th MW executive officer, Airman 1st Class Jon Gasparetto, 321 Missile Squadron and the 90th MW Airman of the Year for 2009, and I, went to visit our Senators and Congressmen last week. We met with Senators Enzi (R-WY) and Barrasso (R-WY) as well as with Congressmen Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Adrian Smith (R-NE) and staffers from Betsy Markey's (D-CO) office. All members were excited to hear about the great things the men and women have been accomplishing here at Warren. Every one of them thanked us for our service. As the force structure numbers continue to be debated with the recent release of the Nuclear Posture Review and new START treaty, we assured everyone to whom we spoke with that whatever the final terms are, we will support, maintain, operate, secure and sustain our weapons system -- perfection has been and always will be our standard.

Three of our Airmen were honored this week by the Veterans of Foreign Wars: Tech. Sgt. Terry Gilbert, 90th MW Security Forces Group, Staff Sgt. Frederick Stewart, 90th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard NCO in charge, and Senior Airman Kylle Tyler, 90th Medical Operations Squadron. Mr. Thomas J. Tradewell, VFW Commander-and-Chief, Mr. Harold Lowe, National Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Larry Orr, Dept. of Wyo. State Commander and Mr. Earl Sellers, Dept. of Wyo. District 5 Commander invited Chief Anderson and myself for a dinner to honor Terry, Frederick and Kylle.

I had an opportunity to address the VFW members and I told them I fear no man or thing. However, if I do lose sleep at night, it is my concern that we will not be able to live up to the standards they set, the sacrifices they made, the professionalism they displayed and the guts that they had. The footprints they left behind in their journey are ones I sincerely hope we can fill in our way ahead as we begin to write our memoirs in American military history. What they gave and achieved will never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, I was out of town and missed sending off and receiving the 110 World War II veterans from across Wyoming who participated in the May 17 through 19 honor flight to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Col. Scott Fox, 90th MW vice commander, attended in my place. He told me it was an honor to be able to personally shake hands with every single veteran, thank them for their service, and listen to many of their stories. There were veterans from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and the Army Air Corps. He described it as "standing inside a living history book!" One of the members was a B-17 tail gunner who flew and survived through 47 missions over Germany. Another flew B-29s in the Pacific as part of 20th Air Force under "Old Iron Pants" -- General Curtis Lemay. Yet another was a WAC, or Women's Army Corp, medical technician.

The return crowd was just as impressive. There was a line stretching from the base of the stair truck at the plane all the way through the terminal and out the front door. Col. Bryant Anderson, 90th Operations Group commander, Col. Sean Boyle, 90th Mission Support Group commander, and Col. Don Adams, 90th Maintenance Group Commander, met them upon their return. Most of the vets were excited to see the crowd there and quite a few had tears in their eyes as they came off of the plane. The universal answer to the question "Did you have a good time?" was "We had a GREAT time!"

Truly a memorable experience for all as they are heroes and deserved every bit of recognition we could offer. Their country called and they answered. Now it is our turn to follow their exceptional example.

Go Forth and Conquer!