Chilton pays visit to Cavalier

Published March 1, 2007
By 2nd Lt. John R. Sayers
10th Space Warning Squadron

CAVALIER AFS, N.D. -- Members of the 10th Space Warning Squadron here got a visit from their major command leaders recently.

Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael T. Sullivan, AFSPC command chief, visited Cavalier on their way to Minot AFB, N.D.

"I've always wanted to come up to Cavalier, I just had to become in charge of Space Command to do it," General Chilton said to the packed room.

General Chilton and Chief Sullivan arrived on the warmest day of January: temperatures were a balmy 25 degrees Fahrenheit. General Chilton was surprised to find that "it was actually colder at Peterson" that day. Winter temperatures at Cavalier tend to be below zero on average, and the wind chill can drop even further to 60 below.

The 10th SWS, located about 15 miles south of the Canadian and U.S. border, supports the space surveillance network by providing space surveillance data, tracking, reporting and space object identification. It is a 21st Space Wing geographically separated unit.

The AFSPC commander spoke to the crowd of military personnel, civilians and contractors about the importance of space surveillance to the U.S. Air Force and the Global War on Terror.

"I've heard more stories about how great Cavalier is than about any other place," he said. "Thank you, for what you do for us."

He was also able to present the 10th SWS annual awards.

"Senior NCOs are the ones who make things happen," he said after handing out the Senior NCO of the Year award. "They are where the rubber meets the road in the Air Force."

Chilton visits Cavalier