First commander's call of the year looks back, forward Published Jan. 15, 2008 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Jay Raymond, commander of the 21st Space Wing, thanked the wing for a great 2007 and outlined the year ahead at the first commander's call of the year Jan. 10. Speaking at the base auditorium, Colonel Raymond recapped the major events of 2007, to include China's anti-satellite weapons test, a successful Missile Defense Agency intercept test, the opening of several new facilities on Peterson and the 21st Space Wing's Air Force Outstanding Unit award win. Soon after, he focused on the wing's goals for 2008. Chief among them? A continued focus on space superiority. As established in the wing's new mission and vision statements, the wing's goal is to conduct "flawless missile warning and space control operations," and that won't change in the year ahead, Colonel Raymond said. "Our mission stays the same - space superiority," he said. "It's critical today, and it's even more critical tomorrow." The wing will also focus on providing better installation support and services for its Airmen. Though 2007 saw the opening of the new base exchange and commissary complex, a new dental clinic and STRIPES pub, Colonel Raymond said the wing will focus it's efforts on quality of life improvements for Airmen. In the year ahead, Airmen can expect to see upgrades to the fitness center - starting with the opening of a renovated swimming pool around the end of February - and an increase in services, including regular free movies in the base auditorium. "Although we live in a tight fiscal environment, there's no reason we can't have a five-star fitness center and quality services," he said. "It takes leadership, attention to detail and some additional resources." Various organizational changes will be coming down the pipe to help the base run more efficiently. The 21st Maintenance Group is deactivating this year; the 21st Mission Support and 21st Services Squadrons will merge into one Force Support Squadron; and the Military Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity offices will combine. Finally, the base continues to support deployed Airmen, as well as the families they've left behind. Colonel Raymond said the monthly Deployed Families Dinners will continue and encouraged Airmen to work on staying or becoming medically 'green' for deployment. But regardless of whether Airmen are deploying in the year ahead, Colonel Raymond said all of Team Pete's members can expect an eventful 2008 on base. "Thanks for a great year, thanks for your service," he said. "And hold on tight, this coming year's going to be even busier."