AFSPC commander gets to know Eglin-based space mission

Published May 12, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Chris Fehrm
20th Space Control Squadron

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Members of the 20th Space Control Squadron hosted a visit from the commander of Air Force Space Command April 24 here.

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, together with his wife Marjorie, visited the squadron and base to see the men and women of the 20th SPCS in action. General Kehler received a mission brief from squadron personnel and toured the squadron's new mission operations center as well as areas of the 39-year old phased-array radar. General Kehler then spoke to a crowd of military and civilian personnel about the importance of space control and the squadron's contribution to the mission.

"If we can't provide space situational awareness, we can't protect ourselves and our critical space assets," General Kehler pointed out. "I can clearly see you've made big changes in the operating concept and system employment [to meet emerging threats]."

The 20th SPCS is a geographically-separated unit from its parent wing, the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

As the general became more familiarized with the 20th's day-to-day mission of surveillance and reconnaissance of more than 18,000 orbiting satellites, Mrs. Kehler toured Eglin's quality-of-life programs with Kristi Pohland, wife of Col. Eric Pohland, 96th Air Base Wing commander and Julie Ann Connary, wife of Lt. Col. Shane Connary, 20th SPCS commander.

Commenting on the spouse's tour of those areas affecting the morale and well being of Airmen assigned to him, Colonel Connary noted key spouse tours such as this "allow us to highlight not only our squadron, but the outstanding support we receive from Team Eglin."

"Without the 96th Air Base Wing," Colonel Connary said, "we couldn't accomplish our vital space superiority mission."

The general later concluded his visit by having lunch with military and civilian personnel at the radar site's dining facility.

"Being a (geographically-separated unit), we don't often get the opportunity to showcase our superb personnel who maintain and employ the [radar] system 24 hours a day, seven days a week, especially to senior leadership," said Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 20th SPCS director of operations. "Visits like this are very important."

Located at site C-6 about 35 miles east of Eglin, the 20th SPCS supports U.S. Strategic Command by enabling space superiority for global and theater operations.

AFSPC/CC visits Eglin-based space Airmen