Operational professionalism: All day, every day

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  We held one of our many scheduled wing-level exercises again last week. I need to be sure everyone understands the rules of engagement -- here at Warren our preferred method of conducting exercises is that we simulate nothing. If this is not feasible due to the nature of the particular exercise, then we try to simulate as little as possible. I need everyone playing full tilt until you are pulled back by an evaluator. It is important as we sharpen our sword while we "react to status." We have a lot more exercises planned, and my goal is to get better each time.

What a pleasure it was to host Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, 20th Air Force commander, for the day and show off our Airmen and the mission to him last Tuesday. We started the day by attending mission planning with the 320th Missile Squadron. Lt. Col. Eric Brown, 320th MS commander and his Airmen provided Gen. Burg a very crisp and well presented mission planning briefing. We then attended the pre-departure session. The briefing was given by Capt. Chris Ormaza, 320th MS. I really enjoy pre-departure -- it was a no-nonsense, to the point, professional briefing. Well done, Chris.

We were joined by Col. Steve Miller, 90th Security Forces Group commander, and then we all boarded a helicopter and were flown to Camp Guernsey by Lt. Col. Clarke Pleasants, 37th Helicopter Squadron commander, Capt. Barrett Vandegrift, 37th HS, and flight engineer Staff Sgt. Matt Ruebelman, 37th HS.

Let me take a moment and share a story with you about helicopter squadrons. When I was the Operations Group Commander at Minot in 2006, the helicopter squadron's at the three wings were not where they needed to be. Constant problems surfaced with regards to mission degradation and professionalism.

When I arrived at Minot, Maj. Dave Smith was my helicopter squadron commander. I pulled him in my office and told him a senior officer stated to me the week before I transferred in, that I should have the helicopter squadron commander call me, personally, before every take off and landing of every helicopter movement. Yes, that was how bad the trust and confidence was in our pilots and flight engineers. I think what I told Dave, shocked him. I told him if I had to take the call from him before every takeoff and landing, I would fire him. As many of you know me, I am not a leader that leads by threats. This was not a threat, it was a promise.

Right after that promise, a young major named Clarke Pleasants took over as the operations officer, and between the two of them, they took a ragged and undisciplined unit and turned it into a professional military squadron.

Clarke brought that discipline here to the 37th HS. Clarke and Lt. Col. Steve Mackenzie, 37th HS, have now set the standard here for the other two helicopter squadrons to attain. Every day I hear the helicopters buzzing around our base, and it does not faze me one bit. I know the work being done by our pilots and flight engineers is by the book -- they really do set the example of what daily perfection means.

Once we arrived at Guernsey, we were greeted by Dave Lycan, and Master Sgt. Garrett Langston, 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron. They gave a good run down on the recent improvements. There is a lot happening out at Guernsey not only with us, but with the Army Guard. I can't stress enough that Guernsey is a first-class training facility. The 90th GCTS has 37 active duty personnel and an additional 10 Air Reserve Component volunteer NCO instructors.

This regional training center offers courses ranging from the Nuclear Convoy Course and Tactical Response Force Assault Course to Antiterrorism Force Protection Level II Mobile Training Team and Combat Airman Skills Training. This past year, the dedicated cadre trained over 1,600 Air Force and 800 Army personnel in nuclear security and pre-deployment skills training.

I was given the opportunity to speak at Freedom Elementary. As you know, May is the Month of the Military Child. I really enjoy speaking to the youth of our country. We discussed the fact that there are bad folks on our planet, and that it is necessary for their moms and dads to be a part of the armed forces to ensure that our country remains safe from harm. I thanked them for the role they play as they too endure the absences from parents and the permanent changes of station they experience as they move to new places to meet new friends.

Colonel Miller and his group, led the efforts this past Friday for a ceremony in honor of "Police Week." While the ceremony was to be staged outside by the base flag pole, the rain forced the event inside. Despite the scheduling change, well done to Colonel Miller and his folks for putting on a very professional event honoring all those who wear a law enforcement badge and are sworn to defend, protect and uphold the laws and citizens of our nation.

United in Strength was the theme for this past weekend's 60th annual Armed Forces Day celebration. Team F.E. Warren swung for the fences, and I can honestly say we knocked it out of the park. The events kicked off last Friday with the Air Force Association Banquet.

This occasion would not have been possible or a success without the leadership of Irene Johnigan, the AFA Cowboy Chapter President. Irene has unlimited energy and the heart of an angel -- we are so lucky to have her on our team. The Despain sisters, Mica and Naomi, sang the National Anthem and like every time I hear them, they did an outstanding job. Brig. Gen. Everett Thomas, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander, was the guest speaker, and it was an honor for me to present the Pitsenbarger Award to Staff Sgt. Christopher Melton, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron and Staff Sgt. Millie Gargurevich, 90th Force Support Squadron.

Although Saturday brought rain, it also poured in the masses. Round two of Armed Forces Day was held at Cheyenne's Frontier Mall. Fay Rodgers, Old Country Buffet, Lt. Col. Joanne Ruggeri, 90th Medical Operations Squadron, and 1st Lt. Nicholas Spear, 90th Contracting Squadron, organized a booming event for the city of Cheyenne, which may have set a record for mall attendance. Wayne Johnson, Wyoming State Senator District 6, did an outstanding job emceeing the event. Warren brought everything to include the kitchen sink. I'd like to thank all our Airmen that took their Saturday to show off our stuff to the community and demonstrate to the public some of the tasks we perform.

The opening ceremony was very powerful. Mayor Rick Kaysen gave a heartfelt speech in where he reflected on his time in Vietnam and his personal relationship with the military working dogs he trained and went alongside into battle. Another was a flag folding ceremony by 1st Lt. Alexander Stanton, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Michael Martinez, 90th Medical Support Squadron, from the base Honor Guard. Another showing was the POW/MIA ceremony performed by Master Sgt. Stephen Hart, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, Master Sgt. Jerry Dixon, 90th Medical Group, Master Sgt. Lee Schmidt, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, Master Sgt. Daniel Ballinger, 90th Operations Group, and Master Sgt. David Moore, 90th Security Support Squadron, all of the First Sergeants' Association. The narration for both of these performances was superbly accomplished by Master Sgt. Mark Leuquire, 90th FSS.

Elmer Davis, a war reporter during the 1940's and 1950's stated, "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." I believe today's service men and women are as brave as ever as well as committed and focused. I know we here at Warren set the example of this everyday ... 24-7.

Go Forth and Conquer!