12th SWS unveils new booster club coin symbolic of its culture change Published May 11, 2011 By Lt. Col. Jeff Van Sanford 12th Space Warning Squadron commander THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- "Culture does not change because we desire to change it. Culture changes when the organization is transformed; the culture reflects the realities of people working together every day," wrote Frances Hesselbein in "The Key to Cultural Transformation, Leader to Leader." One symbolic emblem of a unit is its booster club coin. Leadership at all levels in the 12th Space Warning Squadron has contributed to the unit's current "do work" mentality and transformed the unit into a positively focused and productive unit. The unveiling of a new booster club coin is the work of Staff Sgt. Jeff Roberts, 12th SWS crew chief, which is helping to promote a positive image for the unit and leave an emblem of the professional culture. Located at Thule Air Base Greenland, approximately 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the 12th SWS is one the 21st Operations Group's many geographically separated units. Harsh arctic weather conditions and family separation are just some of the daily challenges for members of this unit, yet they remained focused on mission success. Their desire to succeed grew into a culture of working endlessly toward improving operational proficiency while under evaluation and during exercises. Crews were rated "Satisfactory" and the training and evaluation/standardization shops were rated "Excellent" during the 14th Air Force Standardization and Evaluation Team inspection in March 2011. This success is reflected in the unit's new coin as well. Professional behavior is required on and off duty, and at close-knit Thule AB, there is visibility on off duty activities as well as on duty performance. The members of 12th SWS contribute to the overall professional conduct off duty. It requires great leadership and it's an inherent responsibility that should be shared at all levels. Delegation is a powerful tool and ensures all members of a team work together on a common vision. That vision is now being characterized into one of the remaining emblems of the unit. The booster club coin will leave a legacy the current members of the 12th SWS family can take pride in knowing that they had a positive impact on this unit and its culture. The unit's booster club coin will remain symbolic of the professional qualities of the squadron members' efforts that contributed to a culture of excellence. With the high turnover in the unit, we're reminded of Gen. Speedy Martin's quote: "things don't stay fixed." It will take the efforts of the successors to this team, which is more of a family at 12th SWS, to ensure the culture continues in a professional manner. The unit will stay focused on Col. Nina Armagno's motto for the 21st Operations Group: Always Ready.