Wing can be proud of year’s accomplishments

Published Dec. 15, 2010
By Col. Stephen N. Whiting
21st Space Wing commander

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The year is rapidly coming to a close, and the men and women of the 21st Space Wing can be proud of all you have accomplished this year. Across all six of our installations and our other 23 operating locations in six countries across 14 time zones, in all of our 39 units (and five associated units), you have made a lasting contribution to the nation's defense as America's Space Superiority Wing.

While the totality of the day-to-day actions you take to ensure our wing is always mission ready are too numerous to recount here, I did want to share with you just a few of the key highlights of the accomplishments you have made happen this year.

In the 21st Operations Group, our space control units deployed more than 80 Airmen to the 1st Expeditionary Space Control Squadron, the 16th ESPCS, and Operation Silent Sentry - marking its fifth year of continuous deployed operations. These units directly supported U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command taskings. Our space control units and the 21st Operations Support Squadron also provided continuous critical manning for the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid, Qatar. Additionally, the 16th SPCS successfully assumed responsibility for the Standardized Process for Interference Recognition and Interference Targeting system from the Joint Spectrum Center, and is successfully employing this defensive space control system from two locations on behalf of U.S. Strategic Command. All this while, the 21st OG is continuing to provide 24/7/365 missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance operations from around the world, and enhancing the tactics, techniques, and procedures in each of these areas. In 2010, the group also prepared for its first-ever visit to the Air Force's famed Red Flag exercise that will occur in 2011.

The Airmen of the 21st Mission Support Group had numerous accomplishments in 2010, including the 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron's air transporters mobilization and redeployment of Fort Carson personnel in support of current overseas operations. Total 2010 combined deployment movements in support of the Army include 27,000 Soldiers and 1,700 cargo short tons on 292 aircraft. Total combined 2010 receptions include 18,700 Soldiers and 681 cargo short tons on 181 aircraft. Personnel from the 21st Civil Engineering Squadron continued their partnership with Tierra Vista Communities/Actus Lend Lease to deliver 155 new privatized homes in 2010. This brings the total number of new homes at Peterson AFB to 238 of the 597 that will be constructed through 2013, providing homes that are the equivalent of any available on the local market. Finally, the 21st Force Support Squadron won the coveted 2009 Curtis E. LeMay award for best large force support squadron in the Air Force.

The men and women of the 21st Medical Group opened 2010 by earning the best score in the Air Force for the last six years on a Health Services Inspection. The "Outstanding" score, rated as 95 on a scale of 100, was the highest rating given Air Force-wide in the previous 150 inspections. A notable contributor to this triumph, the 21st Dental Squadron's Area Dental Lab, provided excellent support to dentists and patients throughout the Department of Defense, while serving as the flagship for Air Force dental labs around the globe.

At Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, the 721st Mission Support Group led the systems setup for a national level strategic communications exercise. The exercise enabled the validation of U.S. survivable communications. The 721st MSG also executed $9 million in missile/air warning and space surveillance upgrades at Cheyenne Mountain to aid in world-wide sensor and command center fielding. In order to increase the volume and space inside Cheyenne Mountain, the 721st MSG Civil Engineering Division oversaw the first excavation of granite rock since the original construction was completed in the 1960s. Finally, the efforts of the 721st Fire Department were recognized at the MAJCOM level with their win of Fire Department of the Year, small department category.

At the top of the world, the 821st Air Base Group sustained operations at DoD's farthest north installation, Thule Air Base, Greenland, and facilitated Operation BOXTOP, the annual Canadian Forces resupply mission to Canadian Forces Station Alert. Heavy sealift and airlift sorties shipped 315,000 gallons of JP-8 and 325 tons of cargo from Thule AB to CFS Alert, enabling continued allied presence at this vital intelligence and weather station. Unique to this year, Thule supported Canadian C-17 operations participating in Operation BOXTOP for the first time. The men and women of Thule AB continued to serve as a model for the entire Air Force by aggressively posturing itself to increase operational efficiency and capture energy savings through a multi-year facility consolidation plan. Initial phases include enhancements to power generation systems installed in 2010 that will save more than $4 million per year in fuel expenses in the years ahead.

Last but not least, the 21st Space Wing Staff Agencies, led by the Director of Staff, had a very successful year, highlighted by the Peterson AFB and Thule chapels winning a combined award as the Air Force's Outstanding Chaplain Corps, Medium Team Category. In 2010, the 21st Comptroller Squadron had their busiest year ever as they executed more than $430 million supporting both the 21st SW and our vital mission partners here at Peterson. Additionally, 21st SW Protocol masterfully directed outstanding support for 247 events attended by 33,500 personnel - including support for the NORAD/USNORTHCOM change of command, Guardian Challenge, 48 four-star DVs, CORONA, and the dignified reception of four fallen warrior flights.

These are all great accomplishments to be proud of, and there are numerous others. While we celebrate these successes, we know excellence is only maintained through careful diligence and we must consistently work for improvement in all our units and across all our mission areas. Let me thank each and every one of you for your commitment to excellence and a very successful 2010, and I wish you and yours the very best of the holiday season and a Happy New Year!