Wing continues to provide flawless missile warning, unsurpassed installation support Published April 29, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing Commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- I hope you all enjoyed the extended weekend and I'm happy that you all returned safely. Last Thursday's fun day was a great success, with much of the Wing turning out for lunch, as well as bowling, golf, volleyball and the 5K run. The activities were just a small thanks for all the long hours and preparation for and completing the inspections - thanks for the hard work you do every day. And thanks to all those who put the events together for all of us to enjoy - well done! While we were going through the inspections, there have been changes afoot - the 21st Space Wing never sleeps! I wish to welcome Chief Master Sgt. Troy Engholm, the incoming 821st ABG superintendent at Thule Air Base, Greenland. Good luck to you Chief, I hope the frozen north treats you well. Thule may be a little cooler than you are used to, having just left Florida. Closer to home, Air Force Space Command held its 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet Friday. Congratulations to all the winners, including Senior Master Sgt. Jeffery Steagall, communications and information systems inspections manager assigned to Air Force Space Command, Office of the Inspector General. Sergeant Steagall won the senior NCO category. Air Force Space Command also announced the winners of the 2008 Space and Missile Operations awards. These awards honor AFSPC's most outstanding operations units and individuals. Congratulations to these organizations, including the 21st Operations Support Squadron, which received the Chief Master Sergeant Edward W. Weaver Award for best operations support squadron with a space mission, and the 20th Space Control Squadron, one of our GSUs at Eglin AFB, Fla., which received the Chief Master Sergeant. Robert G. V. Pecqueur Award for the best space surveillance squadron. Keep up the crisp work! Former AFSPC commanders also gathered at Peterson Friday to receive a firsthand update on the command, prior to the Air Force Space Command commander's conference this week. Air Force Space Command commanders from years past converged here for the conference, and it was a pleasure to host the distinguished group of leaders. As usual, the Peterson Club did an outstanding job providing support for not only the 21 SW, but also AFSPC. Great job, and thanks to all of the valued members and employees of our second-to-none base club. As April comes to a close, so too does our Year of Leadership monthly focus on "Character". During this month, we had the privilege of having several outstanding and motivational speakers discuss the importance of character. We heard from a panel of former prisoners of war; enjoyed listening to Col. John Norton, director of Character Development at the Air Force Academy, and had the honor of having Maj. (retired) Kenneth Carpenter, pilot of the AC-47 Gunship "Spooky 71" speak to our Airmen. On Major Carpenter's crew was Medal of Honor recipient Airman 1st Class John Levitow. Thanks to these speakers for sharing their keen insight into the topic of character. And a special thanks to the POW panel, not only for their service and sacrifice, but also for their willingness to share their stories with the rest of us. Character is a vital part of leadership, and I urge all Airmen to develop this important trait. Using your character as a compass is as varied as a real compass. You have 360 degrees and only you, the person making the decision on what to do, can read it. You can get advice or try to follow someone else's input but every situation is different. Surround yourself with people of good character, both personally and professionally, and you will grow as a leader. Have a great rest of the week.