VOL. 64 NO. 08
T H U R S DAY, F E B . 20, 2020
SPACE OBSERVER P E T E R S O N
A I R
F O R C E
B A S E
Wanted: Ideas on Space Force members’ name, ranks By Staff Reports | SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — The U.S. Space Force is looking for feedback from U.S. military space professionals on what Space Force members should be called – similar to how the Air Force refers to its members as ‘Airmen’ or the Army refers to its members as ‘Soldiers’. Given the significance a name has to the identity and culture of an organization, the Space Force is taking a deliberate approach to ensure Space Force member titles and ranks appropriately convey the nature of the newest Armed Forces branch and the domain in which it operates. Toward that end, Space Force officials are soliciting ideas related to Space Force ranks, names for operational units and what Space Force members should be called collectively. They are especially interested in soliciting ideas from those currently assigned to the U.S. Space Force or those who expect to be members of the Space Force in the future. Air Force CAC card holders with access to Air Force Portal should submit their ideas online by Feb. 24 through the IdeaScale web-
site at https://usaf.ideascalegov.com/a/ideas/ recent/campaigns/122. Space Force officials will also be reaching out to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps space communities to enable military space professionals in other services the opportunity to submit ideas. “As we continue to forge the Space Force into a lean, agile and forward-looking 21st Century warfighting branch, we want to provide space professionals the opportunity to influence what the members of our new service will be called,” said Lt. Gen. DT Thompson, U.S. Space Force vice commander. “The decisions we make today will shape the Space Force for decades to come, so we want to ensure those who will serve in the Space Force have a say when it comes to important organizational and cultural identity considerations.” Officials emphasized several guidelines respondents must consider when submitting ideas. For example, proposals must be gender-neutral, distinctive and should emphasize a future-oriented military force. In addition, submissions cannot violate copy-
rights, infringe on trademarks or other intellectual property rights, or be proprietary. Any submission falling into those categories will not be considered. Submissions must also be in good taste. Once the submission deadline closes, a panel of Space Force officials will review
inputs along with other feedback received from various sources to help inform a final decision on the new Space Force member moniker. That decision, which will be made by senior Space Force leaders, will be announced publicly at a future date to be determined.
Snow happens "weather" you like it or not By Erica Blanton | STAFF WRITER, 21ST SPACE WING
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Winter in Colorado Springs, especially if you are new to the area, can be frustrating. It can be snowing in one area of the city, while the sun is shining bright in another. So, how does base leadership decide whether or not you go to work? A snow call! The process starts two to three days prior to expected weather when the 21st Operations Support Squadron weather flight forecasts a potential for hazardous weather conditions. Information like precipitation, temperature and wind speeds are recorded and analyzed before submitting an official weather statement to base leadership. However, weather forecasts change rapidly in Colorado. “Mountains throw a wrench in every forecast,” said MSgt Jonathon Winston, 21 OSS Weather Flight Chief. “Depending on the system, if it’s coming from the north or south, that can change expectations on snow accumulation. You won’t know until a day out if you’re going to get one inch or three inches, so you really have to pay attention.” If a forecast calls for two inches or more, the weather flight notifies the 21st Mission Support Group who then determines if a snow call is necessary. Snow calls are used to evaluate if there needs to be a phased early release, base closure, or (U.S. Air Force photo by Erica Blanton) normal reporting. Early release is determined by current 1st Lt. Travis Hodos, 21st Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander, and Master Sgt. Jonathon Winston, 21st OSS weather flight chief, analyze weather forecasts, weather conditions, whereas delayed reporting is typically Jan. 5, 2020 in anticipation of a snow call on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The 10-person weather flight monitors weather conditions around the clock to provide the See Snow happens page 5 most accurate and up-to-date information to base leadership.
INSIDE
SPACE FORCE NAMES FIRST SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR PAGE 2
NEWS 1-10 | BRIEFS 4 | CLASSIFIED 13 | CROSSWORD 15
INTERVENTIONS SUPPORT FITNESS IMPROVEMENT PLAN PAGE 5
HOSPITAL’S AEROSPACE NURSE PRACTITIONER IS FIRST IN AF PAGE 7
AF WEEK IN PHOTOS PAGE 8