Remain vigilant throughout critical days of summer Published July 14, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As we approach the half way point for the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign we must continue to maintain our vigilance. In the last week alone, the Air Force suffered two fatalities - one Airman drowned while swimming, and another was ejected from his vehicle in a traffic accident. While losing a single Airman is one loss too many, losing Airmen to preventable accidents is even more tragic. Besides the incalculable cost of losing a human life, losing duty days for injuries also forces us to do more with less. The Air Force's average cost of a lost duty is $350 per day for quarters and $466 per day for hospitalization. Air Force Space Command so far has suffered two fatalities this fiscal year, one Airman died of cold exposure and another in a head-on collision on a two-lane road. As we approach the second half of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, let's be careful not to become complacent and always remember operational risk management. Stay on guard and remember to assess, consider, take action, and remain safe, not only for the remainder of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, but all year long. Friday was Air Force Space Command night at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the Norris Penrose Event Center. Col. Monteith, Chief Omdal and I attended, and as usual, the rodeo committee did a superb job. The rodeo provides fun for the whole family and we are all lucky to live in a community that offers such diverse activities. If you missed the action, mark your calendar for next year and plan to attend. Proceeds from the rodeo benefit both Army and Air Force charities; this is just another example of the great support the military enjoys from our community. My thanks go out to all involved with this great event. The July topic for the Year of Leadership is Warrior Ethos, a concept that is not just about deploying in theater. For today's Airmen, it is the willingness and readiness to go when called upon to do so. It is a part of the sense of patriotism we had in mind when we joined and the devotion to stay and serve knowing we may be slated to deploy and do our part. Warrior ethos is the pride we feel each day when we put on our uniform. It is about our ability to see the bigger picture and willingness to give our lives, for a cause that is greater than us. Our willing embrace of "Warrior Ethos" is made evident by our desire to create a safer and stronger country and the sacrifices we are willing to make to achieve this goal. Challenge those who tell you that only those involved in direct combat roles are warriors, because warrior ethos has a much broader foundation than simply being in theater. Instead, Warrior Ethos is the basis for who we are as a force and why we do what we do each day. Friday is a busy day, with a Warrior Ethos Panel at 3 p.m. in the auditorium, and culminating in the Year of Leadership Warrior Ethos Dining Out at 6 p.m. at The Club. I encourage everyone to attend the panel and learn from the "Warrior Airman" experiences of Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. and Staff Sgt. Rory Sturm Jr. These are true heroes and their stories truly reflect Warrior Ethos. Our warrior-themed dining out that night will be a tremendous experience, with Gen. C. Robert Kehler, AFSPC commander as our guest speaker. The Air Force has been engaged in nearly 20 continuous years of combat, and last year the wing deployed one third of its military personnel. Warrior culture is truly OUR culture and Airmen are in the fight every day - let's not forget that. The Vosler NCO Academy graduated another class of outstanding Airmen July 16. Attending the NCO Academy is a significant career milestone for NCOs, and the Airmen being honored at the graduation should be proud of their hard work. Congratulations to you, and good luck as you enter into the next phase of your Air Force career. Lastly, as we strive to constantly improve our unsurpassed installation support and protection, a new base access policy is now being enforced at all gates. Personnel requesting access without proper identification - for example leaving your ID card at home - are required to have a sponsor meet and identify them at the gate or Visitor Center. While possibly inconvenient, the policy is designed to improve security, and I ask for your full cooperation.