COMMANDER’S CORNER: TAKING CARE OF AIRMEN - PAGE 2 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
Thursday, November 30, 2017 Vol. 61 No. 47
SECDEF visits NORAD, U.S. Northern Command
By Master Sgt. John Gordinier Secretary of Defense
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Jim Mattis visited Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command Nov. 16 to discuss the topics of homeland defense, ballistic missile defense and NORTHCOM's role in assistance to response efforts
to natural disasters. During his visit, Mattis toured NORAD and USNORTHCOM command and control centers, viewed exercise demonstrations, had a roundtable discussion with command leaders, met and engaged with servicemembers and provided them future strategic insight during a headquarters assembly. “I have come down here to pay my respects to you and feel I owe that to you,” Mattis said to a room full of Soldiers, Sailors,
(Photo by Amber I. Smith)
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks during a town hall at U.S. Northern Command headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado., Nov. 16, 2017.
Airmen, Marines, Canadians and civilians. “I have a deep sense of gratitude for you because I cannot over emphasize the importance of your mission,” referencing NORAD’s mission of missile warning and USNORTHCOM’s mission of ballistic missile defense. “You are going to hold the line, you’re going to maintain alertness, you’re going to watch for aerospace and maritime threats to the North American continent,” Mattis continued. “You’re going to do this job at a time when both of our nations need you to be at the top of your game.” Secretary Mattis went on to inform the audience of his three priorities in the Department of Defense and things he is focused on: to build a more lethal military; to strengthen our alliances/partnerships by building trust; to change the way we do business. “I wanted you to be aware of those three priorities I’m working on and I want you to focus on creating harmony,” Mattis said. “I want to you to create harmony at this command and I want you to create harmony in your future assignments and it may even be a vicious harmony as we close in on the enemy. We need to keep the U.S. military tight-knit, we need to keep our alliances strong and let them know that we need them. If we concentrate on what other nations bring to the table, you’ll find that they all have something to offer.” Mattis highlighted the importance of discipline saying, “You have to make certain that you discipline yourself and that you discipline each other. You have to take care of each other because sloppiness and lack of discipline are not very forgiving in this world.” Mattis concluded his speech by opening up for questions and answers. Upon completion of the NORAD/USNORTHCOM allcall, Secretary Mattis continued his visit of Colorado Springs with a visit to Air Force Space Command and Schriever Air Force Base.
Moore covers priorities in Commander’s Call By Dave Smith Staff writer, 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Col. Todd Moore, 21st Space Wing commander, discussed the 2018 mission and vision for the wing during his commander’s call here Nov. 16, 2017. In relation to those items, Moore also shared his top priorities for the wing. The event began with a classified briefing aimed at helping Airmen understand why Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station are vital to national defense. “The goal is that I want you to see what’s going on around the 21st Space Wing and North American Aerospace Defense Command/ United States Northern Command operations that we support,” Moore said. The primary mission of the wing is to execute combined global capabilities to defend the homeland and enable space combat operations. In light of that mission, he said wing Airmen should be aware of what takes place throughout its geographically separated units. Before moving on to his priorities, Moore clarified a portion of the wing vision state-
INSIDE News Briefs Crossword Classifieds
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ment. The statement reads, “Assert space superiority with disciplined, aggressive, and creative Airmen.” He wanted to make sure his meaning of “aggressive” was crystal clear. “I am not talking about a hostile work environment or physical violence,” said Moore. “I am talking about tenacious problem solvers who do not back off at first contact; people passionately and relentlessly pursue the right answer.” Winning today’s and tomorrow’s fight is his first priority. The 21st SW is in the fight daily, he said, so providing intellectual leadership and executing capabilities properly are critical. “If we get that wrong, history will judge harshly,” said Moore. Taking care of warriors and their families is a priority that lays at the core of the 21st SW mission. Moore said the wing is reduced to nothing without its Airmen. “They are our greatest resource and responsibility,” he said. “Most importantly, we need to be the best leaders we can be. You will not be perfect, and it’s a good thing because perfection isn’t a core value, excellence is You can expect me to be the best I can be.” Another priority, optimizing resources
to advance mission readiness, involves aging weapon systems and infrastructure, as well as efficiently handling manpower and funding in the best ways possible. Moore encouraged Airmen to be creative and think outside the box about enhancing lethality, new concepts for employment, or required changes to policy. “Innovation and curiosity are long-standing traits of Airmen,” he said. “It is not one we will neglect in the 21st Space Wing.” Strengthening partnerships across the board is another priority. “We do nothing for ourselves, we do nothing alone,” said Moore. “We need to deliberately and methodically engage with our key beneficiaries and stakeholders throughout the globe.” Airmen in the wing come from diverse social, economic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds, he said, making promoting a culture of dignity and respect a wing priority. Moore called upon leaders to proactively set the tone for conduct and promote factors to minimize interpersonal or self-directed violence. “We have to refuse inappropriate behavior and words,” Moore said. “Leaders need to
take this into account by setting the right climate and setting and enforcing high expectations for everyone’s conduct.” His final priority is to develop space-minded Airmen across the wing. Training and maximizing educational resources such as the National Security Space Institute and the Advanced Space Operations School for all ranks and career fields are part of fulfilling this focus. Designing ways for Airmen to interact, with the purpose of learning from each other, is another. “Our Airmen must understand and communicate what space brings to the fight,” said Moore. “This can be difficult to do because of the intangible nature of space operations.” Classified briefings -- such as the one held at the beginning of the event -- aimed at increasing awareness of the wing’s impact on national defense will continue to be held going forward. Before closing, Moore encouraged Airmen to take care of themselves and to take breaks. “Take your leave,” he said. “You earn your leave like you earn your pay. Not taking a break leads to a break down. I want you to take the time, I really, really do. Take care of each other, watch out for each other.”
AFSPC Unveils Tribute
Chief Chaplain pays a visit to Peterson
Snowball event brings smiles
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