We couldn't do ops without you

Published Aug. 3, 2010
By Col. Nina Armagno
21st Operations Group commander

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Greetings from Central Command Area of Responsibility! After having visited every unit in the 21st Operations Group, including our deployed locations, I am struck by one common theme: each of our units receives incredible support from bases and nearby installations around the world, and certainly from the 21st Space Wing. Our missions of missile warning, missile defense and space control are far reaching with both global and theater impact, but we couldn't do it without the tremendous help we get from the men and women of the 21st Space Wing.

From the high quality medical care from the 21st Medical Group to the critical test control from the 721st Mission Support Group to the care and feeding of our Airmen at Thule Air Base by the 821st MSG to the vast support we receive from 21st MSG -- not only does this wing's support give us the tools we need to do our jobs, it directly contributes to operational mission success. Let me share a few examples with you.

At the 7th Space Warning Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif., Jerrold Lowder from the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron coordinated with the Beale AFB environmental inspector to get our four main backup generators rated from "Critical Power" to "Emergency Power." The change in classification exempted our diesel generators from Airborne Toxic Control Measures issued by the California Air Resource Board. Mr. Lowder reviewed all inspection and maintenance documentation on all of our diesel engines, large and small, in preparation for the inspection. He helped us get an "Outstanding" rating by the district's inspector, and we received our "Permit to Operate" as a result of his visit.

At Detachment 1, 20th Space Control Squadron at Dahlgren, Va., the 21st Communications Squadron provided our unit critical support in maintaining our ITE account and assisting us with paperwork for disposing excess IT inventory. 21st CS ensured our unit was included in technology updates and helped us keep our Air Force Enterprise Network NIPR/SIPR assets up-to-date.

At 13th SWS at Clear AFS, Alaska, 21st Contracting Squadron and 21st CES provided outstanding support and assistance in timely accomplishment of Solid-State Phased-Array Radar System severable work, using Facility Excellence Reward Program funds to remove plastic gym flooring. Due to 21st CONS's and 21 CES's effort, BAE, the SSPARS contractor, was able to get the old gym flooring removed in time to meet 354th Fighter Wing's timeline for filing a purchase request to have the original wood floor refurbished. If 21st CONS and 21st CES had not provided such outstanding support, Clear AFS would not have been able to accomplish its primary goal for the FERP funds and some or all of the awarded funds would have been lost.

At the16th SPCS here on Peterson AFB, we received great support from 21st CS recently when they installed a cable and a router for our new weapon system. Without their rapid support, we would not have been able to prepare for transition of a new operational system.

At Detachment 2, Diego Garcia, Mrs. Fowler from 21st SW Program Management has been actively engaged with getting funding for a safety issue. Det 2 needs to extend the metal platforms on all three telescope towers to fix a gap. This gap can be dangerous if someone gets their foot stuck or even pushes through the opening. She has worked with 21st CES and 21st OG to receive and properly place the funds so the work order to fix the gap can start.

From July 15 to 19, it was determined that a mission critical part was needed to replace a failing one at the GEODSS site at Socorro, N.M. The part is the main assembly that is used to track satellites at 21st SW GEODSS sites located at Socorro, N.M., Diego Garcia, and Maui, Hawaii. The Socorro site had no assembly in their forward supply point, but the Maui site had two spares. Ms. Cynthia Dalton at 21st LRS ensured required paperwork was completed late in the evening on July 19 to allow release and transfer of the part. In all, her efforts ensured a very expensive, very needed part was moved in an efficient manner, something that would not have been possible without the direct and timely support of the 21st LRS.

A collaborative effort between 21st SW contractor security representatives, 21st Security Forces Squadron, and the 21st SW Information Protection office, forms a team that is the space control mission's sentry, instrumental in ensuring a balance between mission protection and mission support. In Air Force Space Command's most dynamic mission, they kept abreast of the enormous requirements of securely fielding capabilities at the speed of need, readying and projecting war fighters into the joint fight, and ensuring, to the maximum extent possible, recognition of these efforts. This was accomplished through crafting of first-ever instructions, providing guidance, facilitating working groups, conducting product reviews, and personnel mentoring across five in-garrison and expeditionary space control squadrons.

Senior Master Sgt. John Murray, Howard Moran and Ronald Meyers of the 21st CES directly supported 10th SWS at Cavalier AFS, N.D., in a positive manner when the installation experienced a generator fire. After the initial event, 21st CES provided the catalyst for a contractor to perform necessary equipment monitoring. Additionally, 21st CES provided direct coordination with 21st SW Safety, who in-turn, coordinated with the 319th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office at Grand Forks AFB, N.D., for fire cause determination. 21st CES also organized the Civil Engineer Inspection Repair Team response providing direct support from the generator manufacturer to our installation. The end result is the GSU will have the generator back online 20 percent faster than expected due to the timely clean-up, cost repair, and fix actions 21st CES orchestrated.

As you can see from the above examples, we couldn't accomplish our operational missions without the wing's extraordinary support. From all of us in the 21 OG, from around the globe -- thank you, 21st Space Wing!