Wing commander reflects on Thanksgiving week, AFGSC transition

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  We lost one of our own this week, Staff Sgt. Dan Branch, 320th Missile Squadron. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathies go out to Sergeant Branch's family and friends.

Thanksgiving day I attended the 319th Missile Squadron's mission planning brief, previously known as pre-pre-departure, with Lt. Col. John Duda, 319th MS. The briefing was conducted by 1st Lt Kristin Nichols, 319th MS. I believe mission success starts with mission planning, and I can't say enough how prepared this squadron was to ensure every detail was thoroughly covered.

I also liked John's presentation of the OODA loop -- observe, orient, decide, act -- during the brief. The OODA loop is a very successful model that, if used correctly, can bring great success. If you are searching for ways to take your mission planning the next level, bring in some fresh ideas, or if you are unfamiliar with OODA, give Colonel Duda a call. He'll be glad to elaborate.

I had the opportunity to see our skid pad and gravel road training courses up-close and personal. I have heard we have the best driver's training in the Air Force, and I wanted to experience this training first hand.

Troy Weaver, 90th Missile Wing, has been working in the safety office since August 2007. As the traffic safety manager, he's trained 47 gravel road course instructors and trained 2,098 people total. Now, make it 2,099.

We have a sterling driving safety record and make no mistake about this -- this is not luck. It takes countless hours by dedicated professionals such as Troy to keep this track record. But we can't become complacent; we must continue to practice and live the concept that perfection is the standard. Thank you Troy, you indeed are simply the best!

I threw my first baseball over the Thanksgiving holiday. I wasn't supposed to, but I actually hurled a few snowballs last month and they fell harmlessly short of the target, but I was covered in snow from my kid's return fire. This may not seem like a big deal, but I ripped the tendon in my shoulder May 28 and it has been quite the experience. The road to recovery did not come easy.

When doctors conducted the surgery, they were only anticipating putting in one screw. After they opened me up, they needed to put in three to properly secure the tear. I can't say enough about our physical therapy team lead by Maj. Evan Kelley, 90th Medical Group. His team is comprised of Tech. Sgt. Micki Hinnershitz, Staff Sgt. Dane Sauer, Airmen 1st Class Heather Zubich and Erica Kapella, 90th MDG. This team had me in therapy within the first couple of days after surgery and while painful, it really paid off. Even the doctor who conducted the operation was amazed at how fast I recovered. During rehab I was asked what my goal was -- that was easy.

While I may never bench heavy weight again, it was important for me to be able to throw a baseball and soon. Spring training for my two sons is just around the corner. All I can say is mission accomplished by our wonderful physical therapist team ... now if you could just teach me how to get my curveball to break like the pros!

Please be sure to pay extra special attention to your work centers and your teammates. The wingman concept is alive a well here at FEW and we need to be sure we all have a safe and joyful holiday season. Always have well-thought out plan, and be sure to stick to it.

We had a great visit by Lt. Gen. Klotz, Air Force Global Strike Command commander. Lt. Col. Dave Martinson, 90th MW, Barb Lutz and the entire 90th MW protocol staff and Airman 1st Class Ahren Steis, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, set the tone for a fabulous visit. As of Tuesday, we now fall under AFGSC. Like I said last week, this is a good thing for the nuclear mission and a new beginning.

I appreciate the hard work put in by all. This was no easy task hosting a major command commander as well as a number air force evaluation team at the same time.

During his visit, General Klotz shared a few thoughts with us. One item that stuck out to me was when he said to insist on the right things all the time. I see this daily in our wing as an uncompromising adherence to all directives. The high operations tempo of this wing has us constantly moving from MAJCOM and distinguished visitor visits to hosting national level events to moving toward an inspection ready culture, while still carrying on our daily operations, security, maintenance and support mission. This just goes to show you that this wing continues to shine no matter what challenges are presented to us.

As you all are well aware, we have four more days of the combat capability evaluation. This is a big deal to this wing. Be sure to run through the finish line!

Tonight we will have our annual tree lighting ceremony as well as celebrate the grand opening of Fall Hall. We have been working very hard and it is easy to get caught up in our daily routine. Events like these allow us to take a step back and ensure we do not lose sight of the things we hold dear and celebrate this holiday season.

Fall Hall was built right before World War II. It has been a gym with a sauna, indoor track, and three racquet ball courts and it has housed various morale, welfare and recreation offices. How appropriate under the auspices of Year of the Family, it will now be a community center to include a coffee bar, basketball court, training center, laser tag, an indoor pitching machine and more.

Thank you to Lt. Col. Shelley Strong and her entire 90th Force Support Squadron team -- in particular Tara Morton and the community center staff, as well as the 90th Civil Engineering Squadron, the 90th Contracting Squadron and all the volunteers who helped move, assemble and clean a variety of items to help us prepare for this grand opening. Hope to see you there!

Go forth and conquer!