Peterson to host State of the Wing address

Published Sept. 27, 2016
By Robb Lingley
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. -- The State of the Wing address is an annual event held at Peterson Air Force Base where 21st Space Wing leadership discusses improvements within the base with key civic leaders in the Pikes Peak region.

This year’s wing address will be held at The Club on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 3:30 p.m. Col. Doug Schiess, 21st SW commander, will summarize his first year in command of the wing and highlight future goals for his final year as wing commander.

The State of the Wing was created from financial uncertainty. Facing historic budget cutbacks in 2012, a strategy was created that minimized costs while executing maximum community engagement.

By hosting a single civic leader event to inform and educate Colorado Springs city leaders simultaneously, the wing learned to make every dollar count while educating them on wing objectives.

The goal is to educate local leaders about the wing’s mission, current affairs and forward outlook, maximize commander’s participation to give a sense of ownership and pride, and create personal relationships between the military and community to help build working relationships.

“The importance of any educational experience is the exchange of ideas and, in my opinion, the exchange of ideas in person is invaluable and efficient,” said Jeff Bohn, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs community relations division chief.

As of February 5, the base employs 10,206 personnel, including active duty, reserve, guard, Army, Navy, Marines, Canadian forces and civilians, with a total economic impact of $1.26 billion.

“To continue to build public trust and support for our current and future missions, it’s imperative those in influential positions know what we do now, our challenges, and our successes in order to keep our wing on track to provide space superiority in a contested environment,” said Bohn.

Budgetary constraints demand that Peterson re-evaluate the way it does business and seek alternatives to existing conditions by looking for more improved ways of completing each mission in a well-organized manner. In this fiscally constrained environment, each dollar Peterson spends must be spent to bring about a maximum benefit. By reducing costs, identified real savings can be used to recapitalize the wing in the midst of a confined budgetary landscape.

Airmen’s morale, readiness, quality of life and benefits are dependent on decisions made at higher levels than the 21st SW. Without creating an environment of public trust and support, many of these elements are at risk.

Schiess and other wing leadership will have approximately 90 minutes to interact with congressional staff members, civic leaders, Colorado Thirty Group members and elected Colorado Springs officials. Two tours will be available after the State of the Wing event for 30 minute base excursions.

“Whether our audience is an elected body, part of our local educational system, community partners or community advocates, our goal is to efficiently educate them on our objectives,” said Bohn.