Warfit vital part of readiness role Published July 28, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Tuesday I held my last commander's call at the auditorium. I want to thank each and every one of you for your dedication and professionalism during my time here as commander. You have achieved many great things over the past two years and will achieve many more in the years to come. There is not enough time in a commander's call to cover all the accomplishments of the 21st Space Wing, so I could only highlight a few, but please know you all are truly professionals and it was my pleasure to serve with you. Chief Omdal and I were able to attend the SNCO Academy in Montgomery, Ala., which graduated three of our very own from the 21st Space Wing; Master Sgt. Brian Hinkle, 21st Medical Group; Master Sgt. Lisa Gibson, 21st Operations Group; and Master Sgt. Joe Stratil, 21st OG. They represented the 21st Space Wing well and a special congratulations to Sergeant Stratil, who took top honors and earned the John L. Levitow Award! Be sure to congratulate each of them when you see them. Warfit last Thursday was exceptional as usual, this month organized by our 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron - great job. The physical training activities, including a 5K run, are examples of the regular PT that is a vital component to our ongoing readiness. Col. Nina Armagno, 21st Operations Group commander, provided remarks to the wing at the end of the session. Readiness is essential to deploying Warrior Airmen and a part of the wing mission I take very seriously. Additionally, warfit isn't just for passing a physical fitness test. There are many benefits to regular exercise that we've all heard for many years. It reduces stress, helps with weight loss, improves overall health, and helps prepare Airmen for the physical rigors of deployment, so as the old slogan goes, just do it. Wednesday the enlisted aides held a cooking demonstration at The Club. Enlisted aide is a unique Air Force specialty that is part of the trusted staff for our most senior Air Force commanders. They perform tasks as necessary to aid the officer in performing his or her military and official responsibilities. Their demonstration was mouth-watering and highlighted not only their skills, but what it takes to become an enlisted aide. My thanks to them for sharing, not only their culinary abilities, but also their experience in this unique Air Force career field. Today we are having the monthly Team Pete promotion ceremony at the museum. This is a chance to recognize all the new promotees within the Wing for their new rank. If you are available, I hope you can come out at 3 p.m. and congratulate these deserving Airmen. The promotion ceremony is normally held on Friday, but due to the another significant base event, the Concert in the Park on Friday, we moved the ceremony to Thursday. On Friday, our Peterson Air and Space Museum is holding its annual Concert in the Park at 5 p.m. There will be free food, drinks and music by the Air Force Academy's Wild Blue Country band. The concert is their way of saying 'thank you' and showing appreciation for servicemembers who have made and are still making sacrifices for their country. Thanks to our museum and the band for making this event possible. I encourage all of you to come out and enjoy the music, relax and have fun at this terrific event that will lead us into a great weekend. On Sunday Peterson's chapel is sponsoring an open house and picnic on the chapel grounds. Services start at 9:30 a.m. followed by a picnic at 10:30 a.m. There will be food, games, entertainment, fun and most importantly, fellowship. Thanks to the outstanding chapel staff for organizing this great event for our base, and I hope everyone can make it out to enjoy this great event and fellowship. Friday is a busy night for Peterson AFB as it is also the SNCO Induction Ceremony where 85 master sergeant selects will be inducted into the senior noncommissioned officer corps. We are honored to have Chief Master Sgt. Allen Usry, NORAD/NORTHCOM senior enlisted leader as the guest speaker. Finally, congratulations are due for two of our Airmen who were recently honored by the Colorado Air Force Association. Capt. William Burich, 16th Space Control Squadron, was named the 2009 Colorado Air Force Association company grade officer of the year and Master Sgt. Brandi Limardo, 21st Medical Group, was named the 2009 Colorado Air Force Association senior noncommissioned officer of the year. Congratulations Captain Burich and Sergeant Limardo, for your hard work and dedication, not only to the Air Force and the mission, but your educational and community contributions as well.