Focused, dedicated Airmen keep America strong

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Discipline is one of the traits that separate us from other institutions. It is the bedrock on which the military is founded.

This week we had a couple of breeches in discipline that we will respond to. I take this concept very seriously. Understanding the profession of arms helps cement the bonds of trust between warriors. This is a sacred bond that should not be taken lightly. I ask that you stay vigilant, and if you identify breeches in discipline, have the character and toughness to confront it and correct it. No doubt, this is not an easy thing to do. This job is not easy nor is it intended to be. However, discipline will ensure daily excellence is maintained and that we are ready to fight anytime, anywhere.

We had a fabulous National Prayer Luncheon this week. Well done to Chappy and his staff. Chaplain (Col.) Greg Tate, Air Force Space Command, was our guest speaker. I tell you what, I could listen to him all day long. I first met Colonel Tate back in 1994 when we were Squadron Officer School instructors together. He was a great instructor and a fierce athlete.

Despite his late entry into the chaplain corps, he was a major when he was selected, he has hit the ground running, touching the hearts and minds of thousands of Airmen with his unique and fiery blend of preaching the gospel.

Last week we briefed two of our eight-step processes to Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, Twentieth Air Force commander, then took our team to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., to brief Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, Air Force Global Strike Command commander. We looked in-depth at an issue in our Personnel Reliability Program, as well as the wing exercise program.

The team consisted of Col. Steve Miller, 90th Security Forces Group commander, Col. Francesca Vasta-Falldorf, 90th Medical Group commander, 1st Lt. Gabriel Yoder, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, and Physician Assistant Robert Washburn, 90th Medical Operations Squadron. I really appreciate the time and effort of this team and the support from their respective groups to put these briefings together.

Many of you have heard me say, PRP is the epitome of where perfection is the standard. Additionally, we now have a very robust wing exercise program that will push us with complex, integrated exercises. The efforts put into both of these processes will make us smarter, sharper, tougher and wiser -- ensuring we are ready to fight anytime, anywhere.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Timothy McMahon, senior advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, visited us this past Tuesday. He was the guest speaker for the Air Force Association community partners luncheon.

I always enjoy hosting General McMahon, and I very much appreciate his passion for our people and our mission. As one of our strongest advocates, General McMahon has been with us every step of the way as we continue to move toward further strengthening the nuclear enterprise. General McMahon took a full day to visit the professional Airmen who work in the 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. I like to show off Guernsey because it has become a world-class training facility.

While there, he was met by Capt. Ken Bush, 90th GCTS interim squadron commander; his deputy, David Lycan; and Master Sgt. Garrett Langston, 90th GCTS, who briefed the camp's mission. General McMahon toured the base and watched multiple weapons and explosives demonstrations given by Tech. Sgt. Roy Eberle and Staff Sgts. Ricky Purdy, Chris McCrory and Alfredo Duran, 90th GCTS.

General McMahon also made it a point to try to speak to as many Airmen as possible while here. During his two-day visit, he found the time to speak to upwards of 50 Airmen to include a large portion of the wing's chief master sergeants, including Chiefs Mike Zirkle, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, Jimmy Williams, 90th Mission Support Group, Chris Barnard, 90th MDG, Ray Guest, 15th Munitions Squadron, and Daniel Arvin, 790th MSFS.

He also spent time with a host of Airmen from the 90th SFG, 90th Communications Squadron and 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron to include Senior Airmen Carolyn Williams, 790th MSFS, Joshua McCool, 90th SFG, Danielle Gottstein, 90th Security Support Squadron, and Airmen 1st Class Logan Smith, 90th Force Support Squadron, Megan Rocamontes, 90th CS, and Jonathan Cobb, 90th LRS. All in all, I think I can say it was a great visit!

Kevin Paintner, the Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank of Wyoming, is one of the members who serves on the AFGSC Civic Leader Program. We had Kevin out last Friday to show him around the base and to some of the military construction projects we have lined up.

As usual, Tech. Sgt. Christine Ramler, 90th Medical Support Squadron, provided him with our wing mission brief, and Glenn Garcia, 90th MDOS, outlined our Warren Operation Resiliency program.

Col. John Boyle, 90th MSG commander; Lt. Col. Mike Geer, 90th LRS commander; and Chief Master Sgt. Jimmy Williams, 90th MSG, provided him with a base tour. Col. Eric Batway, 90th Maintenance Group commander, and Master Sgt. Jerry Stienbarger, 90th Missile Operations Squadron, gave him a first-class tour of Uniform-1, our training launch facility.

After the tour, Mr. Painter commented to me that while the base looked great, it was our people that really impressed him the most.

Not to be boastful, but this is no surprise to me.

I've said it before and I'll probably say it a thousand more times before I leave, our Airmen are the most dedicated, focused and professional Airmen I have seen in 24 years.

Only a handful of bases are charged with fighting oversees as well as deterring another conflict at the same time. Because of you, America sleeps very soundly at night. Because of you, America remains strong and free.

Go Forth and Conquer!