COMMANDER’S CORNER: TEAMWORK IN REMOTE LOCATIONS - PAGE 2 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Vol. 61 No. 27
Col. Schiess bids farewell Commentary by Col. Douglas Schiess 21st Space Wing commander
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Knights, serving as your commander for the past two years has been an absolute honor and a privilege. Over and over again, I’ve been amazed by your innovation, work ethic and your dedication to the mission. As Debbie and I prepare to transition to Washington, D.C., allow me one final opportunity to reflect and thank you for a job well done. When I took command back in June 2015, I asked you to live the words of former President John Quincy Adams when he said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader,” and together as a wing, you’ve done just that. Together, we have actively begun implementing the Space Mission Force, fundamentally changing how we present forces to U.S. Strategic Command. We have executed more than 140,000 hours of missile warning, missile defense and space situational awareness in support of combatant commanders across the globe. In 2016 alone, we tracked 3.1 billion objects making up 96 percent of data for the space object catalog. Downrange, we have deployed more than 500 of our Airmen to austere locations in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Silent See Farewell page 4
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lundberg)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Col. Doug Schiess, 21st Space Wing commander, and his wife, Debbie, prepare for their transition to Washington D.C. after serving as the wing commander since June 2015. Schiess is in command of the Air Force’s most geographically separated wing located in eight countries, crossing 13 time zones, and 38 units at 22 locations. Schiess’ change of command is scheduled for July 11, 2017.
Base, civilian agencies respond in remote active shooter training By Kristin Stewart 96th Training Wing Public Affairs
(U.S. Air Force photo by Kristin Stewart)
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Deputy Ross Richards, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, responds to a report of shots fired at the 20th Space Control Squadron during active shooter training at site C-6 Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 27. Geographically separated from Eglin main by several miles, responding to incidents creates a challenge for the 96th Security Forces Squadron. The base unit has an agreement with WSCO to respond to any site C-6 emergency. Walton County Sheriff deputies and first responders from Eglin participated in the joint exercise to improve local active shooter processes, communication, and response coordination.
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Airmen from the 20th Space Control Squadron led the first joint active shooter training with Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, first responders, June 27, 2017. The joint training simulated an active shooter scenario where Walton County deputies entered the building after responding to a report of shots fired on the second floor of Eglin’s site C-6. Due to their distance away from Eglin main, the Airmen at the remote radar site took the initiative to organize the localized training with law enforcement and base responders. “This event sharpened our local active shooter processes, communication, and response coordination,” said 1st Lt. Dominic Vicino, 20th SPCS crew commander and active shooter training coordinator. “These improvements will help mitigate any potential real-life threats.” Geographically separated from Eglin main by several miles, responding to incidents creates a challenge for the 96th Security Forces Squadron. See Training page 10
INSIDE News Briefs Crossword Classifieds
1-18 4 22 21
Proud to serve Page 3
Healing from invisible wounds Page 8
Iron Mike is face of the 21st Space Wing Page 14