Fitness activities, training; ceremonies close out June Published July 1, 2009 By Col. Jay Raymond 21st Space Wing Commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On Thursday, Chief Omdal and I competed in the "Fire Fighter Challenge" along with 12 other teams through a tournament-style relay competition of fire-fighting and rescue related exercises. All the teams did well and exhibited great teamwork and sportsmanship through all of the rounds of this strenuous competition. The 76th Space Control Squadron team, 21st Operations Group, came out of the challenge as #1. Congratulations to the members of the 76 SCS team: Master Sgt. Anthony Llamido, Staff Sgt. Deliela Hill, Staff Sgt. Christopher Haidul, Staff Sgt. Julia Valenzuela, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Pischke, and good job to all of the other teams and to our volunteers. The 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Structures Flight supported this competition by constructing several portions of the course. Thanks to Edward Miller; Tech. Sgt. James Bond, Staff Sgt. Aaron Butts, Staff Sgt. Gabriel Lira, Staff Sgt. Erick Lizarraga, and Senior Airman Micah Moore for building the fire hose bull's eye targets and fire hose boxes. Also thanks to Staff Sgt. Nichole Piazzo, from my command support staff, and Staff Sgt. Brian Burmeister, 21st CES Fire Emergency Services Flight, for designing the Fire Fighter Challenge Trophy. This competition gave all of us a greater appreciation for how our fire fighters train, and the types of challenges they face. I had a chance to speak with Chief Master Sgt. Roy Nelson and several members of the 21st CES Fire Emergency Services Flight. It's clear they love the work and are highly trained professionals, ready to save lives. I was extremely impressed with the motivation and excitement of the events and with the attention given to safety, every step of the way during the challenge. While the Chief and I were doing a practice run with the Fire Fighter Challenge teams, the 21st Medical Group was leading an intense work out for June's Wing Warfit. Cindy White, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Staff Sgt. Donald Wheat, 21st Medical Operations Squadron, worked together to put on a great Warfit session. Both the Fire Fighter Challenge and our Monthly Warfit exercise were perfect events to close out June's Year of Leadership theme of "fitness". Remember however that maintaining your physical fitness is something that must be accomplished throughout that year. Thursday and Friday were busy days for the wing in other ways as well. The 21st Space Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinators put on several training sessions on a very difficult but important subject: sexual assault and rape prevention. Performers Sharyon Culverson and Bryan Golden presented these issues in a direct and to the point manner. The sessions were both humorous and serious, and connected with Airmen through a number of plain-spoken scenarios which incorporated audience participation. What I'd like us all to take away from this training is respect for one another. On Saturday, I went to the U.S. Air Force Academy and watched our Peterson Fire Department Team compete against 100 other fire fighters from departments around the region in the "Rumble in the Rockies" competition June 26 and 27. Our team did outstanding and qualified for the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada; later this year. Congratulations to Sergeant Burmeister; Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hall; Staff Sgt. Jimmy Welch; Staff Sgt. Joseph Absher; Senior Airman Christopher Ingle; and Senior Airman John Dannen for representing Peterson AFB so well in this grueling competition. This month's Team Pete Promotion Ceremony honored 47 Airmen and noncommissioned officers with scheduled promotions in June and July. Promotions are always a special time to recognize our folks. Promotions are an opportunity to say "thanks," and "good job" - you've proved yourself able to handle the next higher level of responsibility and leadership. Congratulations to our recent Team Pete promotees. I look forward to working with you in your new higher grades. Another important military tradition is the Retreat ceremony. Every weekday at 5 p.m. on base we hear the sound of Retreat echoing across Peterson. As we all know, Retreat serves two purposes: 1) it signals the completion of another duty day and 2) it serves as a ceremony for paying respect to our flag. At the 21st Space Wing, we remember this tradition in a special way, through a monthly formal Retreat ceremony. The 21st Security Forces Squadron and 21st Mission Support Group conducted the ceremony on June 30, and it was flawless. I, along with leaders and personnel from units around the base, witnessed the professionalism that the 21st SFS Airmen showed to the American flag and for all of those who have served under it. I encourage all Peterson Airmen to participate in these monthly formal Retreat ceremonies. Finally, we're nearly halfway through the 101 Critical Days of Summer and approaching our highly deserved 4th of July weekend. I hope you all take time to relax with your families and friends and have a great time celebrating our nation's independence. I'd like to remind everyone who's able to take time off to be safe in all of your holiday activities and to come back healthy and regenerated next week. Also, while you are taking this well-deserved break, please remember those Airmen who are deployed around the world and their families left behind. Let's keep them in our prayers and hearts. Have a great rest of the week and an enjoyable 4th of July weekend.