21st Space Wing marks official change of leadership

  • Published
  • By Corey Dahl
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AFB, Colo. --  The 21st Space Wing said goodbye to one commander while welcoming another at the base parade grounds June 28.

Hundreds of Airmen and base employees, along with several city and government officials, gathered to watch Col. Jay G. Santee, who has led the 21st Space Wing since 2004, pass command to Col. Jay Raymond. Colonel Santee leaves to become vice commander of 14th Air Force at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Speaking at the event, Maj. Gen. William Shelton, 14th Air Force commander, acknowledged it was a sad day for Colonel Santee, but he said it was also a joyful day, a chance to welcome Colonel Raymond.

"This is a time to celebrate," he said. "It's time to look to the future, to the next chapter in this wing's storied history."

Colonel Raymond is no stranger to the wing or Peterson, though. He's served here three times, most recently from June 2001 to July 2002 as the 21st Operations Group deputy commander.

Leaving his position as operations group commander for the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg, Colonel Raymond said he was glad to be back in Colorado for a fourth time.

"It is indeed a privilege to be back in the shadows of Pikes Peak and to call Colorado Springs and Peterson Air Force Base my home," he said. "The city of Colorado Springs provides such outstanding support to our Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, civilians, contractors and their families who are assigned here, and I look forward to continuing this outstanding relationship."

But there will be challenges ahead for the new commander, General Shelton said. Colonel Raymond will have to continue to prepare Airmen for deployment, work on improving base infrastructure and deal with constantly evolving threats - all with a decreasing budget and fewer Airmen.

Colonel Raymond said he and the wing are up for the challenge, though, and encouraged all base employees to strive for flawless operations as a standard, not a goal.

"We must foster a culture that relentlessly strives for excellence and ensure the only thing that surpasses our professional competence is our zeal and passion for perfect mission accomplishment," he said.

Colonel Raymond's goals have already earned him one fan - Colonel Santee, who told the crowd he's sure Colonel Raymond and the wing will continue to work hard to "Save the Nation" even after he's gone.

"I've been dreading these final words for quite awhile, and I've been dreading them because it's very hard to leave the men and women of this wing," Colonel Santee said. "The only thing that gives me solace is that I'm leaving behind another great leader in Colonel Raymond." 

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