Airmen provide feedback from the field Published June 16, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As summer rolls along, it seems the perfect time for a well deserved break from the office. The conditions for our Sports and Field Day on Thursday should be terrific. Thursday's Sports and Field day will be filled with competitive and fun sporting events for Airmen of all varying skill levels. The main focus of the program is to promote camaraderie and a sense of unity amongst all the units and personnel and to provide a fun day of activities away from the stresses of the work environment. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eagle Park, and an awards ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. to announce the day's winners. There will also be a DJ playing music from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the pavilion. My thanks to the 21st Force Support Squadron for their hard work and dedication in arranging the event. A lot of effort went into organizing the activities - from horseshoes to racquetball, tennis to track and softball to swimming - well done to all. I hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to participate and has a great day. On a different note, the circus was in town last week, and on Sunday they offered a free show open to military and their family only. Once again, Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities showed their unwavering support of our military. We are fortunate to enjoy such a great relationship with our neighbors and I encourage our military members to be an active part of the community. On Wednesday, Chief Omdal and I took part in a volleyball match with ROTC cadets visiting as part of Operation Air Force. Operation Air Force gives selected cadets from ROTC programs across the country the opportunity to learn more about the "real" Air Force. While here, the cadets integrated with our groups on Peterson, learning first hand our missions and responsibilities. They also had a chance to visit and learn more about Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Schriever Air Force Base, the Air Force Academy, HQ AFSPC and HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM, and on Monday took a C-130 incentive flight with the 302nd Airlift Wing. Maj Miquelle Miller, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, did a great job of organizing and overseeing this program for our wing. It was refreshing to meet such an eager group of tomorrow's Air Force leaders, and I look forward to working with them as they begin their Air Force careers. Also on Wednesday, the 21st Medical Group held an open house to officially inaugurate the renovated medical group clinic. The renovation project was a 12-phase $10 million project which began in November 2007 and completed in April. With the completion of the project, our medical group now has a facility that matches the high quality of care provided by our outstanding medics each and every day. The clinic, built in 1972, was in dire need of additional space to treat its many patients. After the renovation, the Family Practice Clinic and Pediatrics saw a 19 percent increase in space, while the Women's Health grew by 38 percent, Optometry by 21 percent, Tri-Care Operations by 22 percent and Public Health got a 15 percent increase in space. The renovation has enhanced the high quality and compassionate care the 21st Medical Group provides for its more than 24,000 beneficiaries. The project was designed to incorporate many of the latest technologies to meet the newest standards set for force protection and anti-terrorism. The new front entrance and parking lot gives patients and visitors a first class impression of Peterson Air Force Base and the 21st MDG. Lastly, on Tuesday we farewelled our outgoing 21st Operations Group commander, Col. Chris Crawford. Colonel Crawford has done a stellar job leading one of the most complex and geographically dispersed groups in the Air Force. His area of responsibility includes control of 12 weapons systems at 14 locations in five countries across 13 time zones, and he has done a superb job of leading the most geographically diverse operations group in the Air Force. I have been associated with the 21st Operations Group for many years, and although there have been a lot of great leaders of this prestigious group, in my opinion; Chris has raised the bar to new heights. Thanks Chris, for your dedication to the mission, and best of luck to you and your family as you depart for your new job at the Pentagon.