COLORADO S PRINGS M ILITARY NEWSPAPER GROUP
Thursday, May 25, 2017
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A life of service: Air Force colonel’s journey By Senior Airman Arielle Vasquez 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
Did you know the monthly promotion ceremony will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday in the fitness center? Come out and congratulate the new promotees.
Base Briefs Spouses are invited to events marked with
THIS WEEK Opinicus Vista 17-2 exercise The Opinicus Vista 17-2 exercise will take place May 30-June 9. The exercise ground rules have been distributed to the base populous via email. The document contains the rules of engagement for the base. For this exercise, there are additional ground rules and simulations to highlight. The dining facility will not be affected during this exercise and exemption letters are intended to allow an easy flow of mission essential personnel to required locations. They are not to be used as an excuse to ignore everyday safety regulations and procedures. For more information, contact Capt. Devin Shipp at 567-2170.
As a child, Col. Robyn Slade, 50th Space Wing senior individual mobilization augmentee to the commander, never imagined she would make the U.S. Air Force her life-long career. Growing up in the outskirts of Detroit, Slade was the youngest of three children. From an early age, her parents provided her with a stable foundation and inspiration to shoot for her dreams, no matter what the obstacle may be. “I learned about hard work from my parents,” Slade said. “My dad started his own company and worked really hard to establish his business, and my mom went back to nursing school when I started kindergarten. They were both good examples of setting your mind to something and getting it done.” Even though she never envisioned herself in the military, Slade had the opportunity to attend college on an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. She graduated from Boston University in 1987 and started her Air Force career shortly after. Slade’s first assignment took her to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, as a public affairs officer and chief of media relations. “I loved being in that role and fell in love with the mission,” she said. “I always enjoyed being out on the flightline, and going on deployments and exercises.” Slade spent two years as a public affairs officer, but had dreams to fly. “One day, one of the squadron
commanders I knew, said to me, ‘If this is what you really like, you should apply for pilot training.’ So I did.” Initially, Slade did not meet the pilot training board, but this not deter her from pursuing her dream. “When I didn’t meet the board, they gave me advice to earn my private pilot’s license in order to demonstrate that I had the skills,” she said. Six months later, after earning her license, she was picked up on the board and went on to complete undergraduate pilot training. “What drew me to it was the mission,” Slade said. “I really like to see the mission get done and I know there are a lot of ways to do that; however, it’s really interesting when you fly. There’s always different challenges that come up. I enjoyed being able to do that.” Her career as a pilot took her to several bases such as Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota and McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. Becoming an officer and pilot was the beginning of a career that would take her to an array of assignments, which includes being a KC-135 aircraft commander, 21st Air Force assistant chief of training and deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements at Headquarters Air Force. After 14 years of serving on active duty and having her second child, Slade made the decision to join the Air Force Reserve. She joined a reserve unit closest to her hometown, which was
50 OG hosts Morrell Golf Tournament Sign up to compete in this year’s General Morrell Golf Tournament Wednesday, at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course at Fort Carson. $50 entry fee includes: cart, breakfast, lunch, and prizes. Start time is 8 a.m. Register as a team or individual. Register by calling Master Sgt. Abifarin Scott at 567-2476. More Briefs page 4 Sign up for weekly Schriever announcements, news and more. Visit www.schriever.af.mil and click “Public Affairs” under featured links.
Public Affairs
Inside
Memorial Day ..................................3 Transgender panel ............................ 7 Murph ............................................ 16
Vol. 11 No. 21
(Courtesy photo)
Col. Robyn Slade, 50th Space Wing senior individual mobilization augmentee to the commander, stands proudly with the t-38 she flew she flew at initial pilot training. Slade began her Air Force career within Public Affairs, but was able to pursue her dream of flying after years of hard work.
Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. “Robyn is an incredible officer, wife and mother,” said Col. Stephen Slade, 310th Operations Group commander. “She is living proof that you can have a very successful career and family life. When we had our first child, she realized she wanted to be a mom,
but also had a desire to continue serving. Joining the reserve allowed her to continue flying and raise our children.” While many assignments are memorable for her, there’s one in particular that stands out above the rest. See Service page 8
50th Space Wing Priority #3 Invest in a culture of exceptional service and community for Team Schriever and their families
SFS Airmen commemorate Police Week By Airman 1st Class William Tracy 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
For the 50th Security Forces Squadron and the thousands of uniformed police officers throughout the country who put their lives on the line every day, Police Week is a time for reflection on service and sacrifice. Wearing “thin blue line” bracelets; which symbolize the unity of law enforcement personnel as sisters and brothers and their roles in society standing as a thin blue line protecting the community, 50 SFS Airmen spent the week engaging in shooting competitions, combative courses, a golf tournament and other competitions in recognition. “Police week is great, as all officers need to be recognized,” said Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Gewirtz, 50 SFS. “It shows the public what we do to keep them safe.” The week also allowed officers to show their human side. “We want them to see what we do; See Police Week page 10
(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class William Tracy)
Police week furthers the 50th Space Wing’s priority of advancing professionalism and infrastructure to enable mission performance by dedicating a week to recognizing and commemorating the service of 50th Security Forces Squadron Airmen and the service of all uniformed officers and responders.