Guardian Challenge comes to Peterson Published Aug. 31, 2006 By Col. Jay G. Santee 21st Space Wing commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On behalf of the men and women of the Air Force's only space superiority wing, welcome to Guardian Challenge! For the first time in GC history, Peterson Air Force Base is hosting the greatest competition in Air Force Space Command. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who've made this historical event a success. With it comes the culmination of months of planning by both Air Force Space Command and 21st Space Wing agencies. From lodging to meals, communications to protocol, and contracting to logistics, hundreds of people from multiple agencies have devoted months of work and countless man hours planning every detail. They too are winners, and have given us the best they have to prepare for the event. About 950 people from eight different wings are expected for the competition. Those 950 people bring theneed for more rooms, flights, fuel and food from not only Peterson, but the surrounding area as well. The estimated economic impact of the competition is $725,000, according to finance officials here. Local organizers will take away lessons learned to make the next Challenge here bigger and better, and the best team will receive a trophy, and bragging rights, until the next Guardian Challenge in two years. In the end, all the teams competing here have the right to hold their heads high. They are the best of the best, representing their respective wings, in space command's finest competition. While I'm eager to see champions emerge (and I'll certainly be rooting for the 21st Space Wing), I have already seen a championship performance in the effort and teamwork that went into the planning and execution of this memorable week. I'd also like to extend my congratulations to all those competitors who've earned their rightful place in this fierce competition. Your hard work and dedication is the reason AFSPC remains the greatest command in the Air Force. Good luck.