Combat action medal recipients epitomize Warrior Ethos

Published Aug. 11, 2009
By Col. Jay Raymond
21st Space Wing commander

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- At 9 a.m. Friday on the Peterson parade field, Maj. Gen. Thomas Deppe, Air Force Space Command vice commander, will retire after 42 years of service to our nation.

General Deppe started as an enlisted Airman and served 12 years rising to the rank of technical sergeant before earning his commission in 1977. After earning his commission, he spent another 30 years as an officer commanding at the squadron, group, wing and Numbered Air Force levels. General Deppe has been a great mentor to me over the past couple of years as he has been to so many Airmen across our Air Force. Thank you sir - Mollie and I wish you and Eileen all the best in your retirement and future endeavors!

This past Thursday, I had the privilege of presenting the Air Force Combat Action Medal to Tech. Sgt. Brandon Richardson, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, and Senior Airman Grant Schneider, 21 CES. Thank you, gentlemen, for your courage and dedication.

These warriors, both explosive ordnance detachment technicians, were awarded this medal for combat in Afghanistan during August 2008. The medal is given to Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement.

On Friday I had the pleasure of hitting the first tee shot from the newly renovated ninth hole tee box at our Silver Spruce Golf Course. The renovations were necessary mainly for safety reasons, as well as to make the hole more challenging. For those who support our golf course, I'm sure you will appreciate the changes.

Thanks to Mr. Trace Kea, the golf course manager, Mr Scott Anderson, the maintenance director, and the rest of the maintenance crew for making this change possible. I also want to thank Tierra Vista for their help in making this new tee box a reality.

Also on Friday, we had our monthly deployed families dinner coupled with a concert in the park. It was an absolutely spectacular evening with great weather, great food and great music. My hat goes off to the Chief's Group for volunteering to cook this month. Additionally, I would like to thank Blue Steel from the United States Air Force Academy Band for their outstanding performance.

Finally, a special thank you to the Peterson and Schriever First Sergeants for their leadership each month in making these deployed family dinners so special. It is always difficult to have your loved ones away from home, and these monthly dinners allow us to say thank you to our families for their tremendous sacrifice and to offer them any support they may need. Caring for our Airmen and their families is one of our Air Force's top priorities and a core competency of the 21st Space Wing.

On Tuesday, AFSPC held the annual Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Building 1. This annual Air Force-level award honors individuals - military, DoD civilian, or contractor - who have made a lasting and significant contribution to Air Force space and missile programs.

This year's honorees are Dr. Benjamin Blasingame, Mr. Roger Easton Sr., Col. Vernon Hastings (USAF retired), Dr. F. Robert Naka, and Col. Bradford Parkinson (USAF retired). Congratulations to all of the inductees and thank you for your outstanding service...we stand on your shoulders.

In conjunction with the Space and Missile Hall of Fame ceremony, on Tuesday we also dedicated our new Minuteman III missile display at Otis Street and Peterson Boulevard.

This missile display proudly reflects the professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence of the Airmen who have operated, maintained and supported the ICBM mission.

Thanks to Gail Whalen and Jeff Nash at the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron and the AFSPC Historians Office, for their efforts to preserve and portray the rich history of Colorado Springs and Peterson Air Force Base.

On Wednesday, we shifted our focus to the future, as we held the Airman Leadership School's graduation ceremony at the Peterson Club. Congratulations to the graduates and good luck to each of you as you become the newest supervisors in our Air Force. As front line supervisors, make sure you set high standards, hold yourself and your Airmen accountable to meet those standards, and never pass up an opportunity to lead. Well done, keep up the good work.

Finally, I would like to congratulate our own 21st Space Wing Vice Commander, Col. Wayne Monteith, who was named the next 50th Space Wing commander at Schriever AFB. Colonel Monteith will take command of the 50th SW Aug. 20. Well done Wayne, thanks for your service here at the 21st and we wish you and your family all the best in the future.