Command leadership fortify 6th SWS

6th SWS visit

Cape Cod Air Force Station and 21st Space Wing leadership tour facilities at the Pave PAWS radar site, Tues. March 3. Front row from left: Col. Jay Raymond, 21st SW commander, Chief Master Sgt. Tim Omdal, 21st SW command chief, Lt. Col. Max Lantz, 6th Space Warning Squadron commander. Second row from left: Lt. Col. Scott Schroff, 6 SWS director of operations, Master Sgt. Kevin Smith, 6 SWS operations superintendent, Paul Connolly, Cape Cod Air Force Station BAE Systems site manager. Back row from left: Steve Mellin, 6th SWS support officer, Master Sgt. Scott Crossman, 6th SWS first sergeant, Master Sgt. Jake Blake, 6th SWS Chief of Security Forces. (Air Force photo by Barbara Burnett)

Published March 13, 2009
By Barbara Burnett and 1st Lt. Jared Speer
6th Space Warning Squadron Public Affairs and Operations Training

CAPE COD AIR FORCE STATION, Mass -- With Operational Readiness Inspection season opening soon for the 21st Space Wing, Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Tim Omdal, 21st SW command chief, discussed sustainable ways to take care of business with the 6th Space Warning Squadron March 3.

The engaged talks sharpened Airmen's awareness of the actions and attitudes that ensure strong readiness of people, mission and resources.
Chief Omdal urged that hands-on training is critical for the mission and ancillary training such as Self-Aid and Buddy Care.

"Everyone does this first aid training, but when people get in a real scenario they freeze up," Chief Omdal said.

Both 21st SW leaders encouraged 6th SWS Airmen to find a mentor and be a mentor to connect with someone in a shared pursuit of excellence and to help others visualize reaching the best in themselves.

"When you have a guy on the racquetball court go down with a heart attack, you have to be ready to put on that defibrillator and know how to use it," Colonel Raymond said.

Walking through the radar site and work centers, the wing commander and command chief got to hear how specialists at Cape Cod AFS have been working hard together not just for ORI preparedness, but also for crisp, tight accountability throughout the year. Contractors work side by side with U.S. and Canadian Airmen and U.S. DOD civilians to maintain round the clock missile warning and space surveillance for the East Coast of North America.

Colonel Raymond discussed leadership traits, career enhancement, and gave many personal accounts of his 24-year Air Force career during lunch with officers.

This short visit left a lasting impression and reenergized "Team 6," he said.