Commander: Excellence abounds for our base

  • Published
  • By By Col. Greg Tims
  • 90th Missile Wing commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Great news! Our fitness center received four stars, which meets the Air Force chief of staff's goal that all Air Force fitness centers strive to attain. Only 29 other bases reached this goal, and the congratulatory letter said our fitness staff demonstrated diligence in their operation, creativity in their programming, attentiveness in their training, excellence in their facilities, and pride in their customer service. Well done to Lt. Col. Shelley Strong,
90th Force Support Squadron commander, and your team!

On that note of excellence, I had an opportunity to go out to the field for a day and want to share with you some of the highlights. I traveled with Maj. Randy Snyder and Staff Sgt. Robert Trotter, 90th Maintenance Group, and Staff Sgt. Tipton Burnette, 90th Security Forces Group. These three have demonstrated superior performance and either lead or work in the quality control shops of their respective disciplines. They accompanied myself to take a "snapshot" of daily field excellence.

First, I received a post briefing from the 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron's mobile fire team Zebra 2: Senior Airmen Christopher Stewart and Peter Pritchett; Airman 1st Class Joshua Heflin and Airman Stephen McKinzie. Mobile fire teams provide the lethal fire power to stop an enemy and protect our strategic resources.

While gaining entrance to the launch facility, I received a superior post briefing from Senior Airman Montavion Ponder, 790th MSFS. Montavion is preparing to attend College of America and study graphic design. I encourage all of our Airmen to get degrees of higher learning. The other set member was Airman 1st Class David Hoffman. It really recharges my batteries to be around motivated warriors such as Montavion and David!
I also had the opportunity to watch Tech. Sgt. Lance Anderson, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, and his team, Senior Airmen Troy Cahoon and Joshua Pinson, prepare the site for the installation of a post-boost control system. I know I mentioned them for their fine work back in the Oct. 23 edition of this paper, but watching them in action is worthy of a second recognition. This team has the toughness I look for in our young leaders.
When we departed the site I had the opportunity to receive another post briefing from the 790th MSFS' mobile fire team Zebra 4: Staff Sgt. Blair Bauer and Airmen 1st Class Kyle Simms, Matthew McMahon and Dan Mulhern. Their post briefs where absolutely first-class!

Before heading back to the support base, we stopped by the 321st Missile Squadron's missile alert facility at November 01. The place looked great -- talk about a "spit-shine" performance. The facility manager in charge of the site was Staff Sgt. Chad Colgate, and the chef was Senior Airman Parrish Moore. The flight security controller was Senior Airman Kit Purdy, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, and I also had a chance to talk with the flight leader, 2nd Lt. David Ratte. The security response team at N-01 was Staff Sgt. Aaron Withey and Airman 1st Class Antonio Medina. Well done to all of you! The procedures looked sharp, and your performance was commendable.

I went downstairs to visit with the missile combat crew commander, Capt. Louis Rognoni, and the deputy, 1st Lt. Charles Higham. They had the place in order as they had two open sites as well as having to process message traffic. Our missile launch officers go through monthly training that tests their combat skills. It's not easy being a missileer, nor should it be -- we don't want anyone being a missileer; we want only the best.

Being the best also speaks about our volunteers and generosity. Huge kudos to Master Sgt. Keith Vivian and Tech. Sgt. Matthew Stoetzel, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, for their great work for our base-wide Combined Federal Champaign fundraiser. Such generosity really shows our character -- we shattered our goal of $105,000 by $48,000 and generated 1,152 donations!

That success is compounded by a very successful retiree appreciation day Saturday. First Lt. Erin Mahoney, 90th Medical Support Squadron, did a fabulous job. Our retirees paved a road for us to follow ... and what a great road they paved for us. It was a pleasure meeting many of our retirees and watching them sit back and get first-rate care by the members of our wing. Well done Mighty Ninety -- they deserved all the hard work you put into this event.

On that same day, I had a chance to work the gate with Airman 1st Class Christian Cabague, 90th Security Forces Squadron. Christian has been working the gate for about
a year now; however, he looked like a seasoned pro. As I have said before, our cops rock -- I would put them against any foe anytime, anywhere!

As you know, the Combat Capability Evaluation begins Monday. I have watched you at "vehicle rodeos," in the shops and out in the field. I know we are ready. The hard work this wing has put into this inspection will pay great dividends in the long run.
Finally, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, will be on station Tuesday as we officially move from Air Force Space Command to AFGSC. This is a big deal, and it is indeed a new beginning. Let's be sure to show him that pre-eminent combat capability starts here.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Go forth and conquer!