Issuu

VOL. 64 NO. 45

T H U R S DAY, N OV E M B E R 5, 2020

SPACE OBSERVER P E T E R S O N

A I R

F O R C E

B A S E

OMG: NASA OBSERVES OCEANS MELTING GREENLAND AT THULE By A1C Andrew Bertain | 821ST AIR BASE GROUP

STORY ON PAGE 7 (NASA courtesy graphic)

NASA studies the melting glaciers of the Greenland ice sheet from Thule Air Base as part of a five-year project that started in 2016. Oceans Melting Greenland is a mission that collects data of the glacier size using a Glacier and Ice Surface Topography Interferometer radar and ocean temperature and salinity using airborne expendable conductivity temperature depth probes.

INSIDE

SPACE FORCEâ€™S ACHIEVEMENTS, PATH FORWARD PAGE 2

NEWS 1-12 | CLASSIFIED 13 | CROSSWORD 14

5TH SPCS CELEBRATES ONE YEAR SINCE ACTIVATION PAGE 4

JTF-SD MEMBERS TRANSFER TO SPACE FORCE PAGE 5

VICE CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS TESTS POSITIVE PAGE 6

Barrett, Raymond highlight Space Force’s achievements, path forward By Charles Pope | SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) — Department of the Air Force Secretary, Barbara M. Barrett, offered an upbeat assessment Oct. 28 of the Space Force’s development while also describing in stark terms how the shifting security environment in space is validating the nation’s newest branch of the military. “Increasingly, free and open access to space is under threat. Though the United States will not be the aggressor in space, we will, we must, build a Space Force to defend our space interests,” Barrett said in a virtual address at Space Symposium 365, an influential gathering of space advocates from government, commerce and defense sponsored by the Space Foundation. Barrett, who was joined by Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, underscored that assertion by highlighting activities and threats in space that in the past had been given less emphasis. “Last year, Russia maneuvered an ‘inspector satellite’ into an orbit threateningly close to a sensitive U.S. satellite. And just two months ago, China launched and recovered a reusable space plane … suspiciously similar to our own space plane, the X-37B.” That environment, and the fact that space is becoming more crowded and contested, coincide with the creation of the first new and independent branch of the military since 1947. Together, Barrett and Raymond provided a detailed status report on the Space Force as it approaches

Space Force News

its first anniversary and looks to the future. “We set out for this first year to invent the force. And I use that term ‘invent’ purposefully because we were given an opportunity to start with a clean sheet of paper and not do business the way we’ve done in the past,” Raymond said, describing the Space Force as “purpose built” to meet its missions and responsibilities in space. “On all fronts—on organization, on personnel, on doctrine, on budget—we have tried to think differently and be an incubator for change across the department, while

delivering goodness and value to our nation,” he said. The goal, Raymond said, is to form a “lean and agile” digital service that, while the smallest of all the military services, delivers on a much bigger scale. This demands a “human capital development strategy … a forward leaning, forward looking strategy.” The result is a command structure that fights bloat and inefficiency. That focus is found, he said, in the field command organizational structure that “collapsed two layers of command.” Further evidence of efficiency-seeking is displayed in an acquisition process “that delegates authority down to the lowest level, shortening the gap between approval authority and those who are actually doing the work,” he said. “Big organizations are slow and we don’t want to be slow. We can’t afford to be slow in the domain that we operate in. We wanted to be able to flatten the gap between the experts and the decision makers,” Raymond said. Both Barrett and Raymond said that as the Space Force approaches its first anniversary on December 20, the service is evolving from efforts to assemble the critically important foundational elements that include establishing administrative policies and practices, publishing the first service doctrine and putting in place the training and personnel that yield the necessary See Forward page 12

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5th SPCS celebrates one year since activation

CSMNG (719) 634-5905 235 South Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1246.

By Airman 1st Class Alexus Wilcox | PETERSON-SCHRIEVER GARRISON

PUBLISHER AND EXECUTIVE EDITOR AMY GILLENTINE Amy.Gillentine@csbj.com

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The 5th Space Control Squadron celebrated 1-year since their activation during a small ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base Oct. 7, 2020. The 5th SPCS was activated Oct. 10, 2019, and their mission is to provide combat ready electromagnetic forces to the Commander of U.S. Space Command in order to protect and defend the U.S. and Allied global operations. The ceremony was a symbolic way to honor the milestones the 5th SPCS has achieved in their first year. One milestone was sending a site configuration team to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in June 2020. This team stood up real-time communications between multiple areas of responsibility and worked with multiple government agencies in concert with contractors to complete mission essential tasks to support future mission sets. The 5th SPCS also had 23 organic and six common Air Force Specialty Codes transfer into the United States Space Force. “Though in its infancy, the 5th SPCS is a fantastic squadron,” said Tech Sgt. Robert Hales, the standardizations and evaluations non-commissioned officer in charge. “It’s honestly like a close-knit family.” However, along with the milestones there are challenges as the unit expands. The 5th SPCS shares their facility with eight members from the 72nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron, Archer Flight. Over the next few years, the two organizations plan to grow a combined total of more than 120 personnel.

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GRIFFIN SWARTZELL Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers Group, 235 S. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, 80903, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Peterson/ Schriever Garrison. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by DoD, the Department of the Air Force, or CSMNG, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided bby the Peterson/Schriever Garrison Public Affairs Office, 775 Loring Ave., Suite 219, Peterson AFB, Colo., 809141294, (719) 556-5185 or DSN 834-5185, fax (719) 5567848 or DSN 834-7848. All photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. The Space Observer is published every Thursday. For advertising inquiries, call Colorado Springs Military Newspapers, (719) 634-5905. Employees of Peterson Air Force Base who want to place a free classified advertisement should call (719) 329-5210. Articles, announcements, news briefs or feedback for the Space Observer should be submitted to the P-S GAR via space.observer@us.af.mil. For further information, to the P-S GAR at (719) 556-5185 or DSN 834-5185 or e-mail space.observer@us.af.mil. Deadline for article submission is noon the Friday one week before publication. All articles, copy and announcements submitted will be edited to conform to AFI Series 35 and the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. For information in the event of a Peterson Air Force Base emergency, contact the Straight Talk line at (719) 556-9154.

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“In the interim we mitigated this issue by renovating our current office space to expand desk spaces from 35 to 63,” said Master Sgt Bryan King, 5th SPCS superintendent. “This contract was awarded in September and work should begin in the upcoming months.” Another challenge is classification in the relation to communicating with external organizations due to their current security classification guide. “With a lot of hard work and effort on the units and higher headquarters part we finally received a new Security Classification Guide,” King said. This new guide allows the unit to interface with other organizations across multiple classification levels, which hasn’t been able to be done before. This history of 5th SPCS begins with their first activation as Detachment 2, 73rd Space Surveillance Group, in February 1989. In October 1989, the unit was designated as the as the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron and was reassigned to the 21st Space Wing as a geographically separated unit in April 1995 when the 73rd SSG was inactivated. At that time, then Lt Col. John W. “Jay” Raymond, was the squadron commander from 2000 to 2001. “The first Chief of Space Operations once commanded this unit and to this day often uses the 5th SPCS as an example of the kind of squadrons we want in the Space Force,” said Chief Master Sgt. Roger A. Towberman, the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the U.S. Space Force. “Close knit, mission focused, and people driven. The place where we learn, grow, and forge our warfighting and team building ethos we will carry into the future.”

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JTF-SD members transfer to Space Force

By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Whitely | PETERSON-SCHRIEVER GARRISON PUBLIC AFFAIRS SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Eleven field grade officers from Joint Task Force - Space Defense transferred to the U.S. Space Force from the U.S. Air Force Oct. 23, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. JTF-SD’s mission is to conduct unified action with mission partners, space superiority operations to deter aggression, defend capability and defeat adversaries through the continuum of conflict. The ceremony’s presiding officials were Col. Scott Brodeur, JTFSD director of operations, and Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons, JTF-SD senior enlisted leader. “This is a momentous occasion for us,” Brodeur said. “Today is a day we should look on in envy and be proud of what’s about to happen as some of the first senior leaders we will have in the Space Force transfer.” The transferees joined Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, USSF Chief of Space Operations, Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman, USSF Senior Enlisted Advisor, the 86 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates and other space professionals as members of the USSF. Also in attendance were JTF-SD leadership and friends and family of the transferees. “This was a great opportunity for friends and family to witness a historical event,” Jackson said. “Transferring is a great growth opportunity and I’m proud to be serving in the U.S. Space Force.” The transfer comes nearly two months after enlisted personnel were able to transfer into the USSF. The process for officers is different as they must resign their commission within the USAF and be reconfirmed into the USSF. “These [officers] believe in the mission and vision of the Space Force in the future,” Brodeur said. “They get to define the next evolution of the Space Force. They are going to lead us into the next generation and define [the] space warfighting culture.”

(U.S. Space Force Photo by Dennis Rogers)

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The Joint Task Force - Space Defense is the latest organization to conduct its transfer ceremony into the U.S. Space Force at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Oct. 23, 2020. The ceremony’s presiding officials were Col. Scott Brodeur, JTF-SD director of operations, and Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons, JTF-SD senior enlisted leader.

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Vice Chief of Space Operations tests positive for COVID-19 U.S. Space Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON — Space Force Gen. David D. Thompson, Vice Chief of Space Operations, tested positive for COVID-19 Oct. 28, 2020. He took the test after learning a close family member, with whom he had contact, tested positive for the virus. In accordance with established

COVID policies, Thompson is selfquarantining and working remotely from home. The Department of the Air Force continues to follow established DoD and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policies and guidelines for COVID. Measures include temperature

testing, social distancing to the greatest extent possible, the wearing of masks when social distancing is not possible, and contact tracing and quarantining, if needed. The U.S. Space Force remains operationally ready to answer the Nation’s call.

Schriever showcases diversity, inclusion in Space Force

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SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Since its inception Dec. 20, 2019, the U.S. Space Force continues to set the bar high for diversity and inclusion. “We have a lot of strength in our diversity and we pull from a lot of different walks of life,” said Tech. Sgt. Latoya Walker, Schriever Air Force Base equal opportunity specialist and advisor. “When different demographics are able to come together as one, we build our strength within that diversity and inclusion frame.” The Department of the Air Force, which supports both the Air Force and Space Force, stood up a diversity and inclusion task force in June. The task force addresses racial, ethnic and other demographic disparities and their impact on personnel, according to the U.S. Space Force website. In June, Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, USSF Chief of Space Operations, addressed the importance of having an experienced force as well a diverse and inclusive one. “We have an opportunity to get this right from the beginning and we are committed to doing so,” Raymond wrote in June in a letter to service members. “We must build diversity and inclusion into our ‘cultural DNA’ — make it one of the bedrock strengths of our service.” The Space Force showcased its talented members, notably on Oct. 1 when Chief Master Sgt. Taryn Stys, 4th Space Control Squadron superintendent, and Chief Master Sgt. Karmann-Monique Pogue, 4th Space Operations Squadron superintendent, each promoted to Chief Master Sergeant, the first women in the USSF to do so. In July, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron had an eightmember, all-female crew of space operators gain satellite control authority of GPS satellite vehicle number 76. “I’m all about female empowerment, so it was so cool to be a part of that,” said Airman 1st Class Larissa Contreras, 2nd SOPS satellite systems operator. “I remember [our 2 SOPS, all-female crew] going around and speaking about [that moment] and it was such a great thing to be involved with.” For Contreras, who is Mexican-American, the moment held other historical value as it also showcased diversity. While many of Contreras’ family member represent the various Armed Forces, she said she’s the first one to join the Space Force. She said being Mexican-American in the Space Force offers the opportunity to become a beacon to other MexicanAmericans who consider joining the military. Airman 1st Class Daryl Griffin, 4th SOPS space-ground link system operator, shared similar sentiments when he

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(U.S. Space Force photo by Kathryn Calvert)

Airman 1st Class Larissa Contreras, 2nd Space Operations Squadron, speaks to fellow Airmen after 2nd SOPS gained satellite control acceptance of satellite vehicle number 76, July 23, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The key symbolizes 2nd SOPS gaining satellite control acceptance of SVN-76. Contreras was one of eight women involved with the all-female crew. became one of the first African-American Airmen to transfer to the Space Force. The move not only affords Griffin the chance to show his talents as a systems operator to leadership, it allows him to be an example and highlight a vast selection of career options within the military. “I feel like this gives me purpose and I hope that it can be motivation for all kids who look like me,” he said. “Joining the Space Force is a moment that will live on forever and I hope it can help someone else write their story.” Walker believes it’s important younger people and those who consider joining the military understand the inclusion Space Force provides. Space and system operators typically aren’t familiar career fields to minorities and Walker said she’s grateful that is changing. “Anyone can [succeed in] what they strive to do. As long as they remain consistent,” Walker said.

OMG: NASA observes Oceans Melting Greenland at Thule By by A1C Andrew Bertain | 821ST AIR BASE GROUP

THULE AIR BASE, Greenland — With arctic air and oceans getting warmer, NASA has been observing Greenland’s ice sheet to see how much of the glacier melt is caused by warming oceans as part of the Oceans Melting Greenland mission. Since 2016, Thule Air Base has provided NASA with a temporary base of operations due to its location and accessibility. “[Many] of the most important glaciers in Greenland are just south of Thule, in a place called Melville Bay,” said Josh Willis, OMG principal investigator. “There's a huge number of really big glaciers there, and they are all reacting to what the ocean is doing.” “Every year, and sometimes twice per year, we've done survey flights of the oceans and ice from Thule,” continued Willis. “There's a lot of [Greenland] that you just can't reach from anywhere else. Thule has been a great hub for us to bring in equipment and swap out crews.” The OMG mission works in two parts: ice surveillance and ocean surveillance. The ice survey takes place in the spring and is done by flying NASA’s Gulfstream III plane over 80 locations around the entire coast of Greenland while using a Glacier and Ice Surface Topography Interferometer, or a GLISTEN-A radar. The Ka-band radar measures glacier heights and finds the edges of the glaciers. This allows the OMG scientists to see how the thickness of the glaciers are changing over the years. The ocean survey takes place in the summer and is done by dropping 250 airborne expendable conductivity temperature depth probes a year. The probes measure the temperature and the saltiness of the water. To accomplish this, the planes must fly low to assure the probes do not fall onto the ice or the local wildlife. As of right now, Greenland’s ice sheet area is approximately 684,000 square miles or roughly 80 percent of Greenland, second only to the Antarctic ice mass. If it all melted, the world’s sea level would rise 25 feet, so the OMG observation mission is studying environmental information that is of worldwide importance. “The science we do on OMG affects practically everyone across the globe,” said Willis. “Sea level rise is one of the biggest potential impacts of our warming world, and if we can't predict it accurately, hundreds of millions of lives will be directly affected and trillions of dollars of infrastructure is at risk.” Since the beginning, the Airmen from Thule have supported OMG’s mission success. “Thule has assisted NASA with their OMG mission on a couple different issues. First, we received a shipment of 130 probes to resupply their OMG aircraft,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Iavarone, 821st Air Base Group deputy commander. “The OMG contracted aircraft came to Thule for two nights to re-supply probes, fuel, and to launch and drop probes into the waters surrounding the Northwest part of Greenland.” “The Airmen of Thule are critical to the success of OMG,” Ian McCubbin, OMG Project Manager, exclaimed. “The Thule team has been incredibly supportive of the OMG mission, and NASA missions as a whole. We thank everyone for the hospitality during our campaigns over all of these years.” With five years of data collecting soon to be completed in 2021, members of the team look to the future with hopes of spreading awareness. “I've really gained a huge appreciation for just how big an impact people can have on the Earth and its climate,” Willis admitted. “It's one thing to know that Greenland is melting, but it's quite another to fly for hours and hours of this giant sheet of ice that's two miles thick and see that it's melting, and that the sea level everywhere in the world is rising because of it. It's my hope that OMG helps a few other people realize this, too.” In 2020, with COVID-19 becoming a worldwide pandemic, the OMG team ran into difficulties to continue the project, but were able to continue with the support of Thule AB. “[This year] created roadblocks for the project, and thanks to Thule AB and the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen we were able to pull off the impossible,” said McCubbin. “We started planning the OMG mission in January, and when the COVID shutdown hit in March we found support and guidance on how to make OMG happen.” “It has been a great experience to host our NASA guests and provide support for a very worthwhile project that will ultimately benefit mankind,” said Iavaron.

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Unarmed Minuteman III test launch from Vandenberg 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

(U.S. Air Force photo by Michael Peterson)

An Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test at 12:27 a.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. ICBM test launches demonstrate the U.S. nuclear enterprise is safe, secure, effective and ready to defend the United States and its allies. ICBMs provide the U.S. and its allies the necessary deterrent capability to maintain freedom to operate and navigate globally in accordance with international laws and norms.

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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base Thursday, Oct. 29, at 12:27 a.m. Pacific Time. All test launches validate and verify the effectiveness, readiness and accuracy of the weapon system as they are conducted to test the entire intercontinental ballistic missile system, according to Air Force Global Strike Command. Mr. Ron Cortopassi, 30th Space Wing executive director, was the launch decision authority. “The ICBM test launch program demonstrates our Nation’s nuclear deterrence forces are safe, secure, effective and ready to defend the United States, and Vandenberg plays an integral part in providing the capabilities necessary to meet those test objectives,” said Cortopassi. “Even in times of global pandemic, our Airmen are able to provide the range support required to safely test an ICBM launch.” For questions regarding the launch window or Vandenberg AFB range operations, contact 30th Space Wing Public Affairs at 805-606-3595 or 30sw. pa.workflow@us.af.mil. For queries regarding the ICBM test launch mission and missile, contact AFGSC Public Affairs at 318-456-1305 (After Hours 318-532-1215) or afgsc. paworkflow@us.af.mil.

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A clear barrier to COVID-19: Academy installs Plexiglass shields across campus By Ray Bowden

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Plexiglass barriers have been installed in classrooms across the Air Force Academy to help shield cadets and faculty from the coronavirus. In all, 800 Plexiglass shields have been mounted in classrooms and common areas across the campus since July. “The dean of the faculty and the Academy at-large bought a significant amount of materiel to make sure Fairchild Hall was safe for cadets and faculty,” said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Milligan, the dean of faculty’s senior enlisted manager. "The health and safety of everyone remains a top institutional priority.” Cadets have assigned seating in classrooms and use the same desk or computers for each class session, said Tech. Sgt. Aimee Grills, a lab manager in the school’s civil engineer department who helped order the barriers. Grills said the Plexiglass shields in classrooms are fitted between desks to separate cadets from their faculty. The barriers are also installed in common areas across the campus including McDermott Library, the Registrar’s Office and the Main Exchange Shoppette in Fairchild Hall. The shields “encourage staff to return to work and teach in person when able by helping them feel comfortable and safe,” Grills said. Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Academy’s superintendent, said one of his goals is eradicating COVID-19 from the base. He and other school officials will continue to work

(U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Armstrong)

Cadets study on opposite sides of one of several Plexiglass barriers installed in McDermott Library at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Oct. 27, 2020. The barriers were installed in classrooms and common areas across the campus to help shield cadets and faculty from the coronavirus. closely with the city of Colorado Springs, the state of Colorado and the Defense Department to develop methods to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. “Our goal is to graduate the class of 2021 and set ourselves up to graduate the classes of ’22, ’23 and ’24,” he said earlier this month. Restrictions and guidelines to keep cadets and faculty healthy include mandatory facemasks, a ban on all tours, large gatherings and sightseeing at the base. The Academy remains closed to the public.

In August, Col. Brian Hartless, commander of the 10th Air Base Wing -- the Academy’s host unit -- extended the public health emergency at the base through Nov. 11. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 8,184,788, confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 219,497 deaths related to the disease in the U.S. as of Oct. 22. That same day, the state of Colorado reported there have been 89,245 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 2,220 deaths related to the disease.

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Operation Warp Speed technology, expertise help determine vaccine distribution

By Lisa Simunaci | OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ATLANTA, Ga. — An Operation Warp Speed contingent in Atlanta is working with regional coordinators on the distribution efforts for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Courtesy photo)Ten military officers assigned to Operation Warp Speed are embedded at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist the allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. Operation Warp Speed, led by the Department of Health and Human Services and DOD, employs a “whole of America” approach to develop and deliver 300 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics to treat the virus. More than 600 miles from Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington D.C., each of the Army, Navy and Air Force officers in Atlanta are teamed with a CDC regional coordinator responsible for a specific area of the country and its territories. “The country’s existing public health infrastructure is well tested - we see evidence every fall when Americans receive the flu vaccine in large numbers. But these are not normal times,” said Army Gen. Gus Perna, Operation Warp Speed’s Chief Operating Officer. “Leveraging our military planning and logistics capability and combining that with proven methods will allow existing systems to scale quickly to get the vaccine to the American people.” The military liaisons and partner regional coordinators are communicating daily with various agencies within their assigned regions to discuss how vaccines

will be prioritized, packaged and shipped. Information exchanges are continuous as regions work through the special handling instructions - like cold storage - and other considerations surrounding delivery. “Like most of America, public health professionals are working through the challenges brought on by quarantines, telework and social distancing,” said Deacon Maddox, Operation Warp Speed’s chief of plans, operations and analytics. “While the pandemic stresses both people and systems, our expertise and technology tools provide a disciplined and deliberate approach to prioritize vaccine delivery and ease the burden of public health officials throughout the nation.” Operation Warp Speed is using a cutting-edge data platform to collect, correlate and visualize data across the entire operation. The “Tiberius” platform is loaded with data from various sources - U.S. Census, Department of Health and Human Services, State Health Offices, and the CDC. Tiberius integrates the data related to manufacturing, clinical trials, supply chain, allocation, state and territory planning, delivery and administration of both vaccine products and kits containing needles, syringes, and other supplies needed to administer the vaccine. No personally identifiable or personal health information is contained in the Tiberius system. All 50 states recently submitted COVID-19 distribution plans to the CDC, and the Operation Warp Speed team is involved in helping the CDC review those plans. Once the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization

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Practices makes its recommendations on who should first receive the vaccine, the HHS secretary, in consultation with national leadership, will decide how to prioritize the initially limited doses. Operation Warp Speed will input these decisions into Tiberius, and using several other logistical factors, compute the quantities to be allocated to each jurisdiction. The jurisdictions will work inside the Tiberius platform to decide where every allocated dose will go - from local doctors’ offices to large medical centers. These decisions will then be sent to distributors to complete deliveries across the country. “We still have several unknowns, but that is what the military is best at - planning for every contingency, and that is what we are helping states with now,” Maddox said. “Every state is different - no two information systems are the same.” Through the Tiberius software though, Maddox said the team has visibility within one system to see a full snapshot across all U.S. jurisdictions to provide decision support for distribution and allocation using 2020 technology. While most of the nation is eagerly anticipating the first vaccine delivery, Maddox noted the Atlanta team is looking beyond initial distribution to the hundreds of millions of doses expected in subsequent shipments. “Timing for the first dose is the beginning, but we are going to be in continual distribution as production comes off the line daily or weekly - and it must be distributed,” Maddox said.

Nov. 11 • 4:30-6 p.m. • $25/person Hosted virtually on Zoom MARK STAFFORD

Mark Staﬀord always wanted to run his own company. Following college, he joined the Air Force, but continued to carry those aspirations. Now an Air Force reservist, Staﬀord launched a career in aerospace engineering and joined Delta Solutions & Strategies LLC in 2015, where he quickly moved into the role of COO before being promoted to CEO last year.

2020 Leadership Lessons

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50th FSS hosts trunk decorating contest By Marcus Hill | PETERSON-SCHRIEVER GARRISON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

(U.S. Space Force photo by Marcus Hill)

Bri Sovern, 50th Contracting Squadron key spouse, left, and Bobby, 11, stand with a skeleton during the trunk decorating contest Oct. 30, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Their mad scientist-themed trunk won the contest and they earned $500 for their creation.

(U.S. Space Force photo by Marcus Hill)

Lance Reece, on ground, plays the webbed victim as Airman 1st Class Katie Hattersley, Joint Task Force-Space Defense administrative assistant, looks on Oct. 30, 2020, during the trunk decorating contest at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The decorated trunk was a “cave” for the man-eating spider. (U.S. Space Force photo by Marcus Hill)

Jeremy Wheeler, left, Reid, center, 11 months, and Schenly Wheeler, 50th Force Support Squadron customer service apprentice, celebrate “tea time” with their Alice in Wonderland-themed trunk Oct. 30, 2020, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado during the 50th FSS’s trunk decorating contest. The competition had 10 entries and the top three earned cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200, respectively.

(U.S. Space Force photo by Marcus Hill)

Eric McCullough, left, 50th Force Support Squadron community cohesion coordinator, Joe Montoya, center, 50th FSS visual assistant, and Jennifer Anthony, 50th FSS commercial sponsorship coordinator, get in the spirit of Halloween by wearing costumes to the 50th FSS trunk decorating contest at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado on Oct. 30, 2020. The event provided pre-packaged candy, hot cocoa and free caramel apples to attendees.

Forward FROM PAGE 2

warfighting culture and staff functions. Those roots are now securely planted, they said, and today the force numbers more than 2,000 men and women. Recently the first Space Force recruits were inducted and began basic military training. At full strength the Space Force is expected to have about 16,000 people.

12 SPACE OBSERVER

“This first year was about inventing the force. This next year … we’re really focusing on integrating that force across our joint partners,” Raymond said. Despite a fast-paced and encouraging first 10 months, Barrett and Raymond admitted that the work ahead is challenging, especially with a relentless need to go fast. Revising the often-moribund acquisition system is a major focus. Other issues include efforts to re-evaluate how information and hardware are classified. “It’s time for us to take a new look at what we classify,” Barrett said. “We don’t deter people from their negative behavior if they don’t know what our capa-

| NOVEMBER 5, 2020 | CSMNG.COM

bilities are. We reveal to deter, and conceal to win.” As the session came to a close, Barrett suggested that perhaps the biggest Space Force achievement to date is the public’s increasing understanding that space is important and it must be protected. “A year ago, Space Force was an idea,” she said. People did not realize “how very dependent everyday life is on space and how vulnerable our space capabilities could be. “There’s been a big mindset change, and we’ve got to build on that … to achieve what people now agree needs to be done,” Barrett said.

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