Colonel, Chief take exceptional Airmen to GSUs, other destinations

Published Dec. 4, 2007
By Ms. Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Looking to get out of town for a couple of days? Hard-working Airmen might find a quick trip is easier than they think.

Col. Jay Raymond, commander of the 21st Space Wing, has started selecting exceptional Airmen to accompany him and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Omdal, the wing's command chief, on selected trips out of town and overseas.

Two Airmen have already traveled with the pair - one to Beale AFB in California and the other to Clear AFS in Alaska. Airmen selected in the future will be able to travel to the wing's various geographically separated units, which range from Thule Air Base in Greenland to Hickam AFB in Hawaii, and other locations Chief Omdal and Colonel Raymond visit.

The goal of the trips is to get Airmen better acquainted with the wing's various operational units, said Maj. Steve Osborne, executive officer to the 21st Space Wing commander.

"There are so many units around the globe that support the 21st Space Wing," he said. "By accompanying Colonel Raymond, not only will that individual have a greater appreciation for what's happening in the farthest reaches of the wing, but, when they get back, they can spread that understanding to other Airmen on Peterson."

Airmen won't be randomly selected for the trips, though. Colonel Raymond and Chief Omdal will choose Airmen who strike them as hard-working and dedicated, Major Osborne said. The first two selected were quarterly award winners.

Senior Airman Kathrine Campo is one Airman who made an impression on Colonel Raymond. A systems controller with the 21st Space Communications Squadron, Airman Campo accompanied Chief Omdal and Colonel Raymond to Beale last week. The invitation, she said, came as a shock.

"I was very surprised that they asked me," she said. "I had no idea they were going to, so I was really excited."

Though she grew up in California, just two hours away from Beale, Airman Campo had never been there before the trip. The opportunity to tour the 7th Space Warning Squadron and learn more about its missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance missions gave her a new perspective on how her job ties into the wing's overall mission, Airman Campo said. She would recommend the experience to any other Airman.

"I think it's a good opportunity, especially for young Airmen," she said. "I've only been in for three years, and newer Airmen don't really get to know what other squadrons are doing out there. The trip put a lot of things - especially what I do - into perspective."

GSU visit