Winners announced at AFSPC awards banquet; Guardian Challenge begins Published April 29, 2008 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Last week, Gen C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, hosted the AFSPC Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards banquet at the Peterson Club. Although all awards ceremonies are special, this was even more so as the absolute best in AFSPC gathered together to see who would be selected to represent our command at the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards competition. Being able to meet and talk with each of the attending nominees in the First Sergeant, Senior Non-commissioned Officer, NCO and Airman of the Year categories was an absolute privilege and I know they were extremely proud to have been a part of the night's festivities. Capping off the evening was the announcement of the four winners chosen from the original field of 22 nominees. The 21st Space Wing was fortunate enough to be home to the AFSPC NCO of the Year award winner, Staff Sgt. Rory E. Sturm, Jr. Although Sergeant Sturm, a 721st Security Forces Squadron controller stationed at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station is currently deployed, his wife Tiffany was present to accept the award on his behalf. Sergeant Sturm's performance during 2007 was truly phenomenal. Having earned the Air Force Combat Action Medal and a Purple Heart for actions taken while deployed, along with numerous other accomplishments, he is truly deserving of this award and we wish him the best of luck as he competes for the ultimate honor of being selected as one of the elite 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Way to go Rory, we are all extremely proud of you! In addition to the banquet itself, the evening was preceded by a week-long series of events aimed at honoring each nominee's exceptional performance during the past year. Scheduled activities included tours of the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and the U.S. Olympic Training Center. These events turned out to be a great opportunity for the nominees, especially those who are not stationed in the local area, to enjoy Colorado Springs while also learning more about the unique contributions others have made in carrying out the Air Force mission. It's too bad that there could only be four winners at the AFSPC level; however, I know each nominee will take home memories to last a lifetime as they were a part of an incredible week honoring them as the "best of the best" in the command. Speaking of the best of the best, Guardian Challenge competitions continued this past week on Peterson and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The events included fitness, firing range and tactics competitions as our wing team, with members from the 21st and 721st Security Forces Squadrons, battled against other units in AFSPC to see who will take home bragging rights as best in the command. Additionally, our communications competitors showed off their skills to 14th Air Force evaluators. I know each event was fiercely competitive and look forward to hearing which participants came out on top when the results are announced during the Guardian Challenge awards banquet May 9. As many of you already know, this year's Guardian Challenge competition features events in three separate categories: missile warning and space surveillance operations, communications and security forces. Even at the squadron level, the level of competition is top-notch and to be chosen to represent one's wing is a tremendous honor. Congratulations to all the competitors that made the 21st SW Guardian Challenge team and good luck in the competition; I know you will make us all proud once the scores are posted. Some of the upcoming Guardian Challenge events include more than just the competitions themselves. In fact, there are a number of events on tap, beginning with the opening ceremonies at the base auditorium May 8. Other events, to name just a few, include a Colorado Springs Sky Sox game, a golf tournament as well as a number of professional development tours in the Team Peterson area. Be sure and keep your eyes out for information on the various events or contact our 21st SW liaison, Maj. Rickey McCann at rickey.mcCann@peterson.af.mil for more information. Aside from Guardian Challenge, the next couple of weeks promise to be extremely busy. This coming week, Team Peterson is proud to host the AFSPC commander's conference May 5-7. The AFSPC commander's conference is always a great event and allows those in attendance to get the latest wing updates from throughout the command as well as the unique perspectives from our commander, General Kehler. The North American Aerospace Defense Command's 50th anniversary celebration is also an event to look forward to as this year's guest speaker is scheduled to be the Honorable Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The anniversary dinner, which takes place at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs May 12, includes a formal ball with dancing, entertainment and several historical displays. The celebration is open to all military members, Department of Defense civilians and the general public. I look forward to going and hope to see you there.