Farewell to a great wing Published Aug. 18, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It is time to say goodbye to the men and women of the 21st Space Wing and to two of the most rewarding years of my Air Force career. We've had many opportunities together and we've overcome many challenges. I thank you, the men and women of the 21st Space Wing, for a great tour. I've spent the last few days reflecting on what we've been able to accomplish together and I'm very pleased with the results of all of your hard work. We were able to increase manning to ensure better mission accomplishment. Under the guidance of the 21st Operations Group, we restructured our space control squadrons into deployable combat units that train and deploy together and are capable of multiple, simultaneous deployments. The 21st Operations Support Squadron worked closely with 14th Air Force and the 25th Space Range Squadron to develop live-fire missile warning and defense training. Additionally, in the last two years we significantly advanced the thoroughness of these training events to make them as close to real-world situations as possible. These advancements have led to a great leap in operator knowledge and combat readiness. The wing is now a more integral part of the missile defense mission with the operational acceptance of upgraded early warning radar at three sites in the wing. I thank you, 21st OG and 821st Air Base Group, for your hard work and dedication to flawless space control and missile warning. In the capable hands of the 21st Mission Support Group, there've been numerous improvements to our installation support and protection mission. Over the past two years, we've completed more than $90 million in quality of life, military construction and safety projects that include 21st Medical Group and aquatic center renovations, east and west gate renovations and new visitor control center, resurfaced track at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, and bowling center renovations. The single largest quality of life improvement to Peterson AFB in the last two years is our privatized Tierra Vista housing development. I had the privilege of cutting the ribbon on the first 31 homes in what will eventually be a 597 home development. Thanks to the 21st and 721st MSGs, 821st ABG, and the space warning squadrons who provide unsurpassed installation support for the wing's six installations across the nation. The dedication of the 21st SW Airmen has not been limited to the confines of our state-side bases. In fact, over the past two years the wing has deployed nearly 1,200 warrior Airmen to support the joint fight abroad. I'm pleased to report that many others outside of the wing have taken notice of your outstanding work over the past two years; the wing earned the 2007 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and 2008 U.S.A.F. Design Merit Award, Landscape Architecture. At the AFSPC level, the wing won the 2007 Gen. Robert T. Herres Award, which acknowledges an outstanding space wing with a space mission; the 2008 Major General M.C. "Tim" Padden Award for Facilities Excellence in the Large Installation Category; our Deployment Ready Expeditionary Skills Training was recognized as an AFSPC best practice; and we've passed one of the most rigorous inspections in AFSPC history. In addition, AFSPC recognized 21 SW Airmen with more than 100 individual and unit awards. As I begin the next phase of my career as director of plans, programs and analyses at AFSPC, I'm confident the 21st SW will be in good hands with Col. Stephen Whiting. He comes to the wing from Newport, R.I., where he was the chief of staff United States Air Force fellow with duty at the chief of Naval operations' Strategic Studies Group. He has a distinguished academic and military record and will be well equipped to handle the challenges that lay ahead for America's Space Superiority Wing. In addition to Colonel Whiting, the wing will welcome a new vice commander today, Col. Jim Jennings. He comes to the wing from Air Education and Training Command headquarters where he served as the commander's executive officer. He has also served as the 76th Space Control Squadron commander. I'm confident that Steve and Jim will form a team that will lead the wing to new heights. On Aug. 26 the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy will visit the wing, meeting with senior leaders and enlisted Airmen at a variety of locations on Peterson, CMAFS, and Schriever AFB. I encourage all Airmen to put their best foot forward as always during this distinguished visit. Thank you for an outstanding tour of duty. It has been an absolute privilege serving with each and every one of you.