Leaders confident wing best in show for ORI

Published Oct. 23, 2006
By Senior Airman Jessica Switzer
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Phase II of the 21st Space Wing operational readiness inspection wraps up with the inspector general's outbrief Oct. 23, and wing leadership is confident the wing has had a strong showing.

"We've had a challenging set of exercise scenarios, and the wing has done well," said Col. Jay G. Santee, 21st Space Wing commander.

Exercise scenarios started Oct. 10 testing the wing's ability to respond to a variety of events that could happen on the base. Situations included a robbery, terrorist actions, suspicious packages and others.

"There were several people who stood out during these scenarios, showing the inspectors the high caliber Airmen we have stationed at the 21st Space Wing," Colonel Santee said. "I am proud of these people and the work they are doing; they are a credit to the wing and the Air Force."

Some of the outstanding work was not done just by individuals, and inspectors noted outstanding performance by whole teams as well.

"Everyone performed at an exceptional level," said Col. Edward Knowles, 21st Space Wing inspector general. "I believe we will be scored based on that performance.

"Everyone did everything wing leadership asked them to do and they showed the inspectors they know what their mission is and what their roles are," he said. "The Airmen of the 21st Space Wing proved they can and will do what is needed to complete the mission."

The focus shifted Oct. 16 to units stationed at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.
This means the scenarios weren't happening on Peterson anymore but the 21st SW supported this geographically separated unit.

"We supported our units at Cheyenne Mountain through the crisis action team, disaster control group and other agencies," Colonel Santee said. "We showed the inspectors just how brightly we shined here and how we directly support those units that aren't physically located on Peterson."

Phase I of the ORI was from Sept. 6 to 15. The inspectors went to several of the 21st Space Wing's GSUs around the world, including the 821st Air Base Group, Thule, Greenland; the 7th Space Warning Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; and the 4th Space Control Squadron Holloman AFB, N.M.

To the rescue