Sky Sox honor

local Air Force

Community

Page 12

News BriefsMorrell Award dinner

The 50th Operations Group will hold its annual Maj. Gen. Jimmey R. Morrell Award din-ner at the Peterson Air Force Base Consolidated Club June 8.

Prices are $15 for servicemem-bers in E-1 to E-6 pay grades, $20 for E-7 to E-9 pay grades and com-pany grade officers, and $25 for field grade officers and above.

For ticket information, contact 1st Lt. Jamey Richardi, 2nd Space Operations Squadron, at 567-3767.

Col. Hyten farewell dinnerThe Schriever community is in-

vited to attend a farewell dinner for Col. John Hyten, 50th Space Wing commander, and his family at the Peterson Air Force Base Consolidated Club May 21 at 6 p.m.

The dinner is $15 for club mem-bers and $18 for non-members.

For more information, including ticket sales representatives, contact Alicia Chavez, 50th SW Protocol, at 567-5048.

Hubble Avenue to close Hubble Avenue is scheduled to

close May 23 for road repair and re-paving, with a projected reopening date of June 10. Drivers who nor-mally use Hubble Avenue should divert onto Falcon Parkway.

For more information, call Dave Barnett, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron, at 567-4728.

Peterson gate hours changePeterson Air Force Base will

change the hours of operation for its north and east gates begin-ning June 1. The North Gate will be closed weekends and federal holidays. It will be open weekdays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The East Gate adjoining Marksheffel Road will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends and federal holidays.

For information, contact the 21st Security Forces Squadron’s Police Services Section at 556-6282 or 556-8235.

Learn contracting ins, outs The 50th Contracting Squadron

here will hold a Contracting 101 class May 22 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the DeKok Building, Room 346, for customers interested in becoming more familiar with the government acquisition process.

Topics will include building a requirements package, proper use of funds, and preparing for the end of the fiscal year.

To register for the class or for more information, contact Capt. Edgard Flores of 50th CONS at 567-3439 before May 18.

InsideNews.............................1-5Chief ’s Pick ......................6Sports ..............................10

VOL. 9, NO. 20 May 17, 2007 www.schriever.af.milSchriever Air Force Base

The Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne met with Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, Commander of Air Force Space Command, and senior leadership May 7, for an orientation on the command and several focus areas, including Space Professional Development and the National Space Security Institute.

SECAF sets sights on Space CommandBy Tech. Sgt. Kate Rust

Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

“Setting the strategic conditions for victory starts right here in (Air Force) Space Command,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne as he visited Headquarters AFSPC May 7.

Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, met with the secretary for an office call and several briefings, focusing on the command’s mission as well as current training initiatives.

“Space is approaching a $200-billion global industry,” said General Chilton. “The world has come to depend heavily on space.”

Secretary Wynne also holds that opinion, stating that AFSPC continues to be there for the nation and the world.

Clearly a priority, the general led the day’s discussions with space professional development. And National Security Space Institute rep-resentatives provided background information and training status to the secretary.

“We were very proud to present the success of the Space Professional Development Program, since it is critical to enabling the command’s priority of developing and retaining people with necessary expertise,” said Maj. Denise Harris, Space Professional Management Office at HQ AFSPC. “It is an Air Force-level program focusing on career develop-ment, which ensures we have highly competent, motivated Airmen with the depth and breadth of skills to deliver space power.”

When the discussion turned to retaining space professionals, the secretary indicated he is “pushing hard to make professional training relevant to personal goals.” As it stands, it can be problematic to pursue a graduate degree due to course availability and funding, according to the Space Professional Management office. The command has a number of initiatives which include a space certificate pilot program and on-line distance learning.

“Once you’re in space,” he said, “the bug hits you, and you don’t want to leave,” continued Secretary Wynne, referring to careers based around space operations. “To offer advanced academic degrees in the space fields could help secure professionals beyond 25 years to 35 and even 45 years.”

The Air Force’s senior leader was here for half a day, and the general took every opportunity to showcase the command.

“I relish each opportunity to show off the people and mission of Air Force Space Command,” said General Chilton. “I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to be in this job and be assigned here at Peterson and in command of the greatest space force in the history of the world.”

More Briefs page 14

Integrated ops center a realityBy Staff Sgt. Don Branum

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The Wing Integrated Operations Center, first introduced during a presentation of the 50th Space Wing’s vision in May 2006, became reality May 16 during a ceremony in Building 400 here.

“The WIOC is more than a room, and it is more than a build-ing,” said Col. John Hyten, 50th SW commander, at the ribbon cutting.

The WIOC is a concept that will give the wing situational aware-ness of its space assets and communications and support resources, allowing the wing to respond as a single entity to a coordinated attack on its capabilities, Colonel Hyten said.

“This is Phase 0 – this is not the final answer,” he said. “We need to fight our weapons systems and continue to deliver combat effects, and we have to look at the WIOC as a small step toward doing business in a better way.”

The WIOC is intended to build situational awareness for space operations squadrons and the 50th SW, as well as the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., said Maj. Chad Riden, WIOC director and 50th SW weapons officer.

“Someone in the 1st Space Operations Squadron has situational awareness of what’s happening in their squadron, but not what’s happening in 2nd, 3rd or 4th SOPS,” Major Riden said. “People in other squadrons may be dealing with similar anomalies but don’t have the awareness to build overall situational awareness of what’s going on. The WIOC can build that picture and push it back down to the squadrons.”

During the Space Flag 07-1 exercise, the JSPOC contacted person-nel in 3rd SOPS to get information during a scenario, Major Riden said, which affected the squadron’s ability to perform its mission.

“Now the JSPOC can make one phone call instead of four, get the same space situational awareness and free the people in the squadrons to fight their weapons systems,” he added.

Watch officers from each space operations squadron, orbital ana-lysts, the intelligence community and the 50th Network Operations Group are present to explain weapons system issues.

“Each system speaks a slightly different language,” Major Riden said. “This way, everyone’s in one spot so that the wing is fight-

WIOC gives wing situational awareness of space assets

From left: Maj. Chad Riden, Col. John Hyten and Lt. Col. Rory Welch cut a ribbon to celebrate the official opening of the Wing Integrated Operations Center here May 16. Major Riden is the WIOC director, Colonel Hyten is 50th Space Wing Commander, and Colonel Welch is director of operations for the 3rd Space Operations Squadron. The WIOC is the 50th SW’s first step toward giving the wing situational awareness of its space assets and communications and support resources.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum

See WIOC page 7

� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007 Commentary

�Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

50th Space Wing commander

Col. John hyten, Chief of Public Affairs

Ed ParsonsChief of Internal Information

Capt. Jean DugganEditor

Staff Sgt. Don Branum Staff Reporter

Lorna GutierrezLayout and Design

Jeff Adcox

Published by Colorado Springs Military News-paper Group, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Schriever Air Force Base.

This Commercial Enterprise newspaper is an au-thorized publication for members of the U.S. military services.

Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Depart-ment of Defense or the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. government, Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage with-out regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affili-ation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 50th Space Wing Public Affairs office. Paid ad-vertising is accepted by the publisher at 634-5905.

Deadline is Friday at noon, the week prior to pub-lication.

E-mail submissions to flyer@schriever.af.mil or call the Public Affairs office at 567-5040 for more information.

Satellite Flyer210 Falcon Pkwy. Ste. 2102 Schriever AFB, CO 80912-2102719-567-5040.or.Fax.719-567-5306

Commander’s call focuses on Wing’s futureBy Staff Sgt. Don Branum

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The 50th Space Wing commander shared his insight about the wing’s fu-ture direction during a commander’s call in the Main Fitness Center here May 10.

Colonel Hyten be-gan his commander’s call by discussing the tremendous breadth of activities going on within the 50th SW – all focused around delivering combat ef-fects to warfighters around the world.

“The capabilities here are so embedded that there would be chaos if those combat effects went away,” Colonel Hyten said.

Colonel Hyten then walked through the wing – group by group and squadron by squadron – highlighting some of the amaz-ing work taking place.

Airmen train to fight with their weap-ons systems using task-based training and evaluation, originally developed at the 50th Operations Support Squadron here.

“It’s critical that our operators understand what the satellite’s doing when they send a command,” Colonel Hyten said. “They can’t have a checklist mentality.”

The 50th SW has endured its share of force-shaping cuts, the colonel said, which will force the wing to integrate its operations as mission requirements increase.

“When I got here (in 2005), I started talking about a Wing Integrated Operations Center,” he said. “We have to have one. When you look at all the systems we fight out here – the Defense Satellite Communications System, Wideband Global Satcom, Milstar, Advanced

Extremely High Frequency satellites, GPS, the Space-Based Space Surveillance system – we’re going to operate all those capabili-ties with the same number of people we have today.

“We cannot continue to do business the way we’re doing it today. We have to integrate where we can; we can’t afford to stovepipe,” he added.

The increasing operations tempo also af-fects the 50th Network Operations Group, which provides ground-to-space commu-nications through the Air Force Satellite Control Network in addition to Defense Switched Network operator service and a robust computer network infrastructure.

Additionally, the 23rd SOPS at New Boston Air Force Station, N.H., has set records for its opstempo recently, calling into question how to manage the AFSCN as demand grows. Colonel Hyten said the answer must include a single approach to network operations.

The 50th Mission Support Group will also face increasing demand for its services as its manpower stays the same or diminishes, Colonel Hyten said. Since 2005, the base has expanded from approximately 5,500 people to about 6,900. Mission and administrative facilities on base will expand enormously in the next few years, and Actus Lend Lease will begin construction on 269 base housing units later in 2007.

“For example, the Fire Department here was designed and sized to support the base as it was built 20 years ago, not for today,” Colonel Hyten said. “They’re also first re-sponders for a five-mile radius around the base. They’ve saved lives and homes working with the local community.”

The colonel praised the 50th Contracting Squadron – “it’s the best contracting squad-ron in the Air Force as far as I’m concerned” – for its role in allocating hundreds of mil-lions of dollars that flow through the 50th

SW each year. The 50th Services Division, as well, received kudos for events it supports for the Schriever community.

“The Spring Fling and base picnic that the Services Division puts together are the best I’ve ever seen,” Colonel Hyten said. “You’ll see 3,000 or 4,000 people out here, and it’s tremendous.”

Colonel Hyten will leave Schriever for Headquarters Air Force Space Command on May 22. He thanked the audience for everything they’ve done, and will continue to do, in support of the nation.

“I’ve always loved Schriever AFB,” he said. “Every time I come to Schriever, I’m a happy camper.”

He also asked the wing’s people to sup-port the incoming commander, Col. Teresa Djuric, when she assumes command.

“You need to give her 180 percent of the support you’ve given me, because the chal-lenges she faces will be even greater than the challenges we face today,” he said. “We fight and win on the battlefield because of what we do here everyday. We cannot fail – we have to continue to do great things.”

Col. John E. Hyten Commander,

50th Space Wing

“We fight and win on the

battlefield because of what

we do here everyday. We

cannot fail – we have

to continue to do great

things.”Col. John E. Hyten Commander,

50th Space Wing

� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

PUBLISHERLon P. MatejczykLon.Matejczyk@csbj.com

EditorialEditorMike BoydMike.Boyd@csbj.com

Managing EditorRob LarimerRob.Larimer@csbj.com

ADVERTISING

Advertising Director/GMTex StuartTex.Stuart@csmng.com

Kathleen GannonKathleen.Gannon@csmng.com

Mike KeplingerMike.Keplinger@csmng.com

Tabitha KiddTabitha.Kidd@csmng.com

Linda StuartLinda.Stuart@csmng.com

Classified Ad Manager Emily FrazeeEmily.Frazee@csbj.com

ART DEPARTMENT

Art DirectorRowdy TompkinsRowdy.Tompkins@csbj.com

50th OG to name Morrell Award nomineesStaff Report

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The 50th Operations Group here will an-nounce its enlisted, officer and civilian nomi-nees for the third-annual Maj. Gen. Jimmey R. Morrell Awards in the weeks preceding the award dinner at the Peterson Air Force Base Consolidated Club June 9 at 6 p.m.

Enlisted nominees will be announced the week of May 24, followed by officer nominees May 31 and civilian nominees June 7.

The civilian nominee category is a new de-velopment in the award program, which was eligible only to enlisted and commissioned of-ficer nominees in 2005 and 2006.

“We felt it was important to add the civilian category to recognize the irreplaceable contribu-tion our civilian professionals bring to the table,” said 50th OG commander Col. Clinton Crosier. “We simply couldn’t accomplish our mission without the expertise and commitment of our dedicated civilian professionals.”

Maj. Gen. William Shelton, commander of 14th Air Force, will be the guest speaker at the June 9 ceremony. Dinner prices are $15 for enlisted pay grades E-1 to E-6, $20 for senior NCOs and company grade officers, and $25 for field grade and senior officers as well as civil-ians. People interested in buying tickets should contact 1st Lt. Jamey Richardi of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at 567-3767.

A golf tournament will lead up to the dinner and award presentation. The tournament is a two-person scramble with a shotgun start on Peterson AFB’s Silver Spruce Golf Course June 7. Ticket costs are $35 for enlisted in E-1 to E-6 pay grades and lieutenants, $45 for senior NCOs and company grade or higher officers, and $55 for civilian guests. Tickets can be purchased until June 1 through Senior Airman Charity Estrada of 3rd SOPS at 567-2843.

The General Morrell Award is named after the third commander of the 2nd Space Wing, which later became the 50th Space Wing. General Morrell is credited with being most responsible for adopting and maturing the three

core mission areas of Air Force Space Command: space control, satellite command and control and space lift.

“Jimmey Morrell’s legacy was far-reaching and enduring,” said retired Maj. Gen. Donald Hard, guest speaker at the 2006 Morrell Award dinner. “He pursued his visions with unbounded courage and commitment. He didn’t question whether his vision could be achieved but dedi-cated himself to figuring out how.”

Col. Kevin McLaughlin, currently the 460th Space Wing vice commander at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., inaugurated the Morrell Award in 2005. The original award dinner and ceremony was scheduled for Sept. 17, 2005, but was postponed when General Morrell fell ill. General Morrell died March 8, 2006, three weeks before the rescheduled award dinner was to be held.

General Morrell’s widow spoke at the 2006 ceremony.

“I hadn’t planned on speaking tonight, but I am so thrilled an honored to be with all of you and to see your enthusiasm,” Margie Morrell said at the ceremony. “Thank you for saluting my husband in such a way. I really appreciate it.”

(Capt. Paul Lawson of the 50th Operations Support Squadron contributed to this report.)

Major General Jimmey R. MorrellRetired Aug. 10, 1993. Died Feb. 8, 2006. Major General Jimmey R. Morrell is com-

mander, 45th Space Wing, and director for the Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

General Morrell was born in 1946, in Morgan City, La. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Nicholls State University in 1968 and a master of arts degree in economics from the University of South Dakota in 1975. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1972, Air Command and Staff College in 1977, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1985.

He graduated from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was assigned to

The Maj. Gen. Jimmey R. Morrell Award

U.S. Air Force photo

Air Intelligence Officers School in 1969. The gen-eral then transferred to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, as a wing intelligence officer, and flew more than 100 combat hours in various aircraft.

For a complete biography, visit www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6537.

�Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

Visit the

Satellite Flyer

online at

www.csmng.com

21st SOPS receives AFA’s Schilling Award

By Valerie Joseph21st Space Operations Squadron Public Affairs

ONIZUKA AIR FORCE STATION, Calif. – The 21st Space Operations Squadron here recently received the Air Force Association’s David C. Schilling Award for 2007.

This is the second time in three years 21st SOPS has won the Schilling award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to na-tional defense in the field of manned flight in the atmosphere or space.

“Winning an award like this recognizes a total team effort – government employees and contractors working together as one team,” said Lt. Col. Larry Price, 21st SOPS commander. “The people of Team Onizuka continue to impress me every day, from those who ensure we have people to perform the mission, to those who ensure our safety and security, to those who maintain and operate our base infrastructure, to those who operate our mission systems with excellence. You are all top-notch professionals, and I’m proud to be on your team.”

In 2006, the squadron provided opera-tional support for the space shuttle’s Return to Flight mission and an International Space Station construction mission. The organi-zation developed and integrated a special communications architecture required to transmit space shuttle main engine perfor-mance data through the Air Force Satellite Control Network to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., allowing engi-neers to verify main engine performance and safe ascent to orbit.

The squadron performed flawless space and network communications support to manned space flight, including superior op-erations, maintenance and base support for the 900-person installation; commanding, controlling and maintaining one of two gate-ways to 15 satellite communications antenna to eight locations around the globe; and ex-pert operations of the $8.2-billion AFSCN, according to the award package.

In addition, the squadron enabled launch and early-orbit operations, specialized com-munications and spacecraft deployments for Department of Defense and NASA pro-grams, including 94 space shuttle contacts in 2006; and served as the interface between the AFSCN and NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite program.

As space pioneers, 21 SOPS prevented AFSCN mission loss during communications system interruptions. Additionally, squadron members provided the foundation for long-term Air Force Space Command support of NASA’s human and robotic spaceflight missions.

21st Space Operations Squadron The 21st Space Operations Squadron, a unit

of the 50th Network Operations Group, 50th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., is the host unit at Onizuka Air Force Station in Sunnyvale, Calif., 37 miles southeast of San Francisco.

MissionThe mission of 21st SOPS is to plan and

conduct specialized communications for a wide spectrum of Department of Defense, al-lied, civil and commercial space systems. 21st SOPS is a squadron that is rich in tradition. Every Space Shuttle mission to date has been supported from Onizuka AFS. The squadron monitors, maintains and updates the status of Air Force Satellite Control Network resourc-es and provides status, configurations and readiness of controlled resources to multiple users and command centers. As a back-up control node to AFSCN under the auspice of 22nd SOPS, it schedules, allocates, conducts orbit analysis and configures AFSCN com-mon user resources.

Missile defense ‘in great shape’

By Corey DahlSpace Observer

The list of countries with weapons of mass destruction seems to grow daily, but the United States is prepared for the threats, according to the director of the Missile Defense Agency’s Warfighter Support Center here.

Steve Fleet gave an update on the nation’s missile defense system during a Military Officers Association of America meeting at Peterson Air Force Base May 3.

Mr. Fleet told local members that com-pared to just a few years ago the U.S. missile defense system is in great shape and will likely improve in the years to come.

“When (President Ronald) Reagan talk-ed about (the Strategic Defense Initiative) years ago, it was just a pipe dream,” he said. “Three years ago, that was still true. Now, just in time for our nation, we finally have the capabilities.”

International cooperation has played a large role in beefing up the nation’s missile defense, Mr. Fleet said. The United States is working with five partner countries, in-cluding the United Kingdom and Japan, to establish radars and other defense com-ponents. A recent presentation to NATO also drew interest and support from 17 countries.

“We have programs with many of our allies right now,” he said. “We’ve been really active, particularly internationally.”

Other developments include the sea-based X-Band Radar, a 300-foot-tall por-table station built on an oil rig. The highly sensitive radar, which will eventually be stationed near Alaska, can detect the launch of objects as small as a baseball.

Additionally, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system has been in testing stages since 2005. Once fully developed, THAAD will be able to shoot down ballistic missiles inside or outside the

The Warfighter Support Center is part of the Missile Defense Agency at Schriever Air Force Base.

atmosphere.Additional projects in the development

stages could help missile defense even more – a big plus as more countries continue to develop long-range ballistic missile tech-nology, Mr. Fleet said.

“More than 20 nations have ballistic missiles today,” he said. “That number is growing everyday. That’s something we’re worried about.”

But some of the challenges the MDA faces are domestic, he said. More projects need more money, but missile defense is facing a $750-million budget cut this year. Declining interest in math and sci-ence fields has also made it tough to find scientists and engineers for projects.

“We’re not getting the scientists and engineers we need anymore,” he said. “We have to outsource them, and that’s a shame.”

If resources come through, though, Mr. Fleet said he predicts a bright future for missile defense – a statement that reas-sured audience members like retired Col. Frank Wisneski.

“You read stuff in the newspapers, and it makes you kind of wary,” Colonel Wisneski said. “I was pleasantly surprised by how well we’re doing. It was comforting.”

International partners strengthen system

� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

Chief’s PickWeek Ending May 11

Staff Report50th Space Wing Public Affairs

Master Sgt. Douglas Perry, 22nd Space Operations Squadron superinten-dent, is the 50th Space Wing’s Chief ’s Pick for the week ending May 11.

At workJob descrip-

tion: Squadron superintendent.

Best part of your job: Interaction with people, especially people at remote detachments.

Best Air Force expe-rience: My deployment to Haiti.

Time at Schriever: One year, 10 months.

Time in Air Force: 16 years.

Career goals: Make chief master sergeant.

How do you sup-port your Wingmen? Simply by letting them know I am always there for them.

At homeLife goals: Become a teacher.Hometown: Logan, OhioOne word to describe you: ProfessionalHobbies: Golf, hiking and bicyclingWhen I’m with friends, I enjoy: Playing cards and golfFavorite Food: ChickenPet Peeve: Someone telling you they will do something

and don’t.When I was growing up, I wanted to be: In the CIA or

FBI.The first thing I would do if I won $1 million is: Invest

it.

Master Sgt. Douglas Perry is the 22nd Space Operations Squadron superintendent.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum

Friends from space support IAGBy Army Sgt. Shannon Crane

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Most people are familiar with the following opening line from a famous television show: “Space – the final frontier.” The series focused on the experiences and adventures of a group of service members traveling to parts unknown.

For Air Force Space Command professionals, Iraq can be likened to “the final frontier,” as some are boldly going where no other space professionals have gone before – de-ploying overseas from a career field filled with stateside assignments and, sometimes, working in positions not specifically related to their careers within AFSPC.

Maj. Charles Rice and Capt. Tonya Walters are two such space professionals, currently serving here with the Iraq Assistance Group.

Formed in 2005, the IAG is a subordinate command of Multi-National Corps – Iraq and consists of approximately 100 military members from all services. The IAG ensures that embedded transition teams, the 11- to 15-person units that advise, coach, teach and mentor Iraqi Security Forces, are provided all the support they require.

Captain Walters, a missile combat crew operator from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., said her background in opera-tions helped her obtain a position at the IAG.

“They were looking for someone who could work both with the operational world and in a staff position,” Captain Walters said. “So my job as the IAG air operations officer is to work with Army, Air Force and Marine Corps aviation units to arrange transportation throughout Iraq and the Central Command theater for team members and those supporting the teams.

“Coming from an operational background, I understand the operational mentality,” she added, “and I feel like I can talk to these combat air units, their pilots, and the air movement schedulers with a little bit more knowledge because I kind of understand their language.”

Major Rice, who also has missile combat crew experi-ence, left his position at 2nd Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss., to deploy on a six-month tour with the IAG.

“I’m the unit movement officer for the transition teams that are here in Iraq – the folks who are teaching Iraq to take care of itself,” said Major Rice. “The crux of my job is to redeploy folks. I’ll contact teams – and I’m looking at a quarter out in the year – start giving them information, setting them up with reservations back home.

“In (Air Force) Space Command, I’ve worked with folks of a lot of varying backgrounds – definitely diverse type of folks – to do a common job, and everybody there was ca-pable of doing the job,” Major Rice said. “Well, I’m learning how to plug myself in as one of those varying background guys and trying to take in those experiences.”

Both officers volunteered for this deployment. Major Rice was motivated by the opportunities for travel and being where the action is.

“When I filled out that dream sheet at the beginning of my service, before even jumping in and getting the gold bars (captain’s rank) on, I picked points all over the globe that were not where I came from,” said Major Rice. “I’ve had the opportunity to be a lot of places that I haven’t been before, but I wanted to get out of the country and actually be closer to where all the noises and actions are.”

Captain Walters, too, was motivated by travel, but also for the sense of making a contribution to a struggling nation.

“I believe in the mission that we’re doing here, and I really wanted to be a part of bringing some freedom and something new to this part of the world,” she said. “When I joined the military, I was very interested in seeing dif-ferent places and different people and doing some good in the world. So when I finally got the opportunity through my command to volunteer to deploy, I jumped at it.”

With 17 space-specific positions in Iraq, and a large number of space professionals serving in non-space related jobs, the senior U.S. Air Force officer in Iraq says that be-ing here gives space professionals a different perspective on the jobs they do back home.

“I think this is just an amazing opportunity for space folks to be able to get out and see how they support the warf-ighter,” said Maj. Gen. David Edgington, Air Component Coordination Element director. “The space professionals need to understand that they are a part of this fight, and they ought to be proud of everything that they’re doing. All of our services, all of our specialties ... it brings to bear all of the assets and the capabilities that our entire military has, and space is an integral part of that.

“So my advice would be to take deployment oppor-tunities. Get aggressive and go out and seek those op-portunities. It not only eases the burden on some of the other career fields that have repeated deployments, but it also will make you a better-rounded individual for your profession.”

�Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

From page 1

ing collectively and can work these issues together.”

The WIOC underwent its first exercise in February during the Wing Operational Readiness Inspection and also stood up for exercises in March and April.

“It’s not a perfect process, but it has shown that the concept works and adds value,” Major Riden said. “Information is critical to the decision-making process, and this has sped up the information flow by several orders of magnitude.”

Major Riden went on to explain that in-formation flow is often the deciding factor in space warfare. The side that can orient, observe, decide and act faster and more ac-curately gains a tactical advantage over its adversary, which must then react.

Currently, the 50th Operations Support Squadron’s weapons and tactics and intelli-gence shops handle day-to-day WIOC func-tions, Major Riden explained. During an ex-ercise or a real-world event, the WIOC stands up where the Battle Staff previously met.

As the WIOC director, Major Riden said his near-term goal is to reduce the space op-erators’ administrative overhead and help them understand what the WIOC brings to the fight.

“We’re building overall space situational awareness,” Major Riden said. “We’re trying to investigate problems and hammer out pro-cesses, procedures and lessons learned from each exercise as we go forward.”

WIOC: Opens

“Information is critical to the decision-making process, and this has sped up the information flow by several orders of magnitude.”

Maj. Chad Riden, WIOC director

NORAD celebrates 49th birthdayBy Army Sgt. 1st Class

Gail BraymenNORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

North American Aerospace Defense Command officials celebrated its 49th an-niversary May 12 with cake and reflected on the importance of its mission.

“Today we celebrate 49 years of tradi-tion and of history of defending both the nations of the United States and Canada,” said Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., com-mander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.

At a NORAD birthday celebration at command headquarters, General Renuart said May 12 is a day not just to remem-ber the command’s birthday, but also the relationship between Canada and the United States. General Renuart’s first offi-cial trip as NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander was to Canada, where he met with the chief of defense staff, visited Canada Command, and met with senior

government leaders“The sentiment, the bond, the strength

of this relationship is alive and well, from the prime minister down through the min-isters and certainly the defense staff and the military members,” the general said. “It’s something that’s really important that we continue to grow and strengthen and take advantage of.”

After World War II, the United States and Canada recognized they were vulnerable to enemy attack, especially by long-range Russian bombers, and decided to integrate their defense planning and strategies into a bi-national military command.

The two countries signed the NORAD Agreement on May 12, 1958.

“Basically, it outlined 11 specific prin-ciples on how they were going to organize the command, what kind of operations it would undertake, mutual planning, con-trol of mutual aircraft in Canada and the United States and defense plans against

any possible attack,” said Dr. Thomas Fuller, the NORAD and USNORTHCOM historian.

The NORAD agreement has been re-newed 10 times since 1958. The latest renewal was signed in 2006 and, for the first time, the agreement doesn’t have an expiration date.

“It was decided; however, that they should get together and review the par-ticular details (and) the dimensions of any changes sometime within a four-year pe-riod after the signing of the (agreement),” Dr. Fuller said. “But, in reality, it meant that you didn’t have an expiration date. You just had a review process going on, which then would allow you to make changes as each country decided and agreed to.”

NORAD is staffed by both American and Canadian military and civilian mem-bers. The command is charged with the missions of aerospace warning and aero-space control for North America.

Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. cuts the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s NORAD’s birthday cake with Canadian forces Cpl. Julie Lehoux (left) and Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mary Koepp. Canada and the United States signed the NORAD Agreement May 12, 1958. General Renuart is the commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Joaquin Juatai

� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

�Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

By Lorna GutierrezSatellite Flyer

Hantavirus was the topic of a discussion presented at Schriever May 8 by a master consultant in entomology with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine-West.

Though not common, hantavirus has been known to rear its ugly head from time to time, as it did recently in the death of a 28-year-old Alamosa County, Colo., woman May 4. The virus also killed a camper at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2006.

A main carrier of the virus is the deer mouse, a very common and domestic animal that lives throughout much of the United States.

The virus is present in the urine and feces of the deer mouse, and in areas where these mice reside, so do high amounts of their droppings. A person can be contaminated with the virus by inhaling the air close to the droppings or by coming in physical contact with the droppings.

It is not known for a person to be “mildly” affected, Mr. Harrison said. Victims either get the virus or not. If they do get the virus, it attacks the cardiovascular system, caus-ing shock and massive fluid leakage into the lungs. People with compromised immune systems are not known to get infected – only those who are considered healthy.

If treated in time, 60 to 70 percent of the people who contract the virus will survive. If untreated, it is fatal.

It is more common to get the virus in con-centrated areas indoors and very rare to get it outdoors. According to Mr. Harrison, the virus has been around for 20 million years but was only discovered in 1993. Since then, 416 cases have been reported throughout the United States.

Though the virus is extremely rare, Mr. Harrison said he thinks knowledge is pow-er. Recognizing a deer mouse from a house

mouse, which doesn’t carry the virus, is im-portant. A deer mouse differs from a house mouse in that a deer mouse has hair and a bi-colored tail. A house mouse has no hair.

If entering an area where deer mice may reside, Mr. Harrison recommends wearing coveralls, gloves and a respirator with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Always keep your nose out of the way of the droppings.

Filling in gaps in doors and replacing loose siding and openings in roofs could help pre-vent mice from entering an area. Also setting traps in areas where you suspect mice may reside can help. Mr. Harrison noted that mice are rumored to like peanut butter.

Potential hazardous areas could include military vehicles stored in field areas that are sometimes left unattended, and anything that has occasional occupancy, as deer mice

like to reside in places where people inter-mittently live.

Mr. Harrison said if cleaning up a hazard-ous area, make sure to:n Open windows and doors for at least

one hourn Spray rodent contaminants and let stand

for one hourn Clean up with a wet mopn Steam clean carpets with water and

disinfectantn Bag all contaminants and dispose of

them in a dumpster, and decontaminate any personnel who may be performing such cleanup operations.

Mr. Harrison compared knowledge to wearing seatbelts.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

Deer mice may carry hantavirus, which produces symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain, cough-ing and difficulty breathing. Most people who come into contact with the virus do so by accidentally disturbing rodent nests.

Expert shares hantavirus information TriCare offering support program

By Brian SmithTriWest Healthcare Alliance

PHOENIX – TriWest Healthcare Alliance recently introduced “Help From Home,” an integrated program of initia-tives designed to help servicemembers and their families through deployment-related challenges and transitions.

One of the many available resources is an expanded “Help From Home” post-deployment support video series, avail-able to watch as streaming video on www.triwest.com and available to order as a complimentary two-DVD set.

This video program is designed to sup-port servicemembers and their families through deployment and reintegration, said David McIntyre Jr., TriWest president and chief executive officer.

“Military families undergo an enor-mous amount of stress throughout the stages of deployment,” Mr. McIntyre said. “It is our intent that TriWest’s library of resources helps servicemembers and their families cope with deployment, includ-ing when it’s time for servicemembers to return home, as that can be an exception-ally challenging transition from combat duty.”

The Help From Home video series in-cludes two programs:

Getting Home ... All the Way HomeTo the Global War on Terrorism com-

bat veteran adjusting to home life follow-ing deployment, this presentation shares information about common symptoms of combat stress and resources for care.

On the HomefrontSpeaking to the military family remain-

ing at home during times of deployment, this video features personal stories from military families whose loved ones have deployed.

For information, call 888-874-9378.

Pikes Peak CouncilBoy Scoutsof America

Contact 634-1584 orwww.pikespeakbsa.orgFor more information

Cub Scouts – 1st thru 5th grade BoysBoy Scouts – 11 – 18 year old Boys

Venture Scouts – 14 -20 year old Boys and Girls

InvItes your son to joIn Cub sCouts!

Photo by John Good

10 Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

50th CPTS triumphs in intramural soccer actionBy Lorna Gutierrez

Satellite Flyer

The 50th Comptroller Squadron started slow but finished strong as they rolled over the 4th Space Operations Squadron 4-1 in intramural soccer action May 10.

It was 4th SOPS who came out strong at the beginning, attack-ing the goal and eventually getting a score from Carlos Nivia, putting his team up 1-0 in the first quarter.

After the score, 50th CPTS got more aggressive but remained scoreless, and 4th SOPS led 1-0 at halftime.

The second half was another story as Stephen Reichel scored on a penalty kick, tying the game 1-1. Jason Golaboski then scored from the right side, giving 50th CPTS its first lead, 2-1.

4th SOPS kept attacking but was not able to capitalize as 50th CPTS’ Steven Gilmore scored and Reichel ended the game with another goal as seconds ticked down.

Gilmore said he was glad to have the wind at his back during the second quarter. Reichel said he was impressed with the way his team played.

“After no practice, it’s pretty impressive,” Reichel said.In the second game of the day, 1st SOPS and the Joint National

Integration Center came out strong and finished with a 1-1 tie.Both teams came out shooting as JNIC’s Steve Anewalt and 1st

SOPS’ Jason Brown both had near goals. No one could penetrate the goalies’ defenses, though, as the two teams entered halftime scoreless.

At the beginning of the second half, JNIC’s Jeremy Tafoya came out kicking, taking shots but not getting any past 1st SOPS goalie Brad Tempia.

The 1st SOPS front line then went on the attack, and Jerrod McComb snuck one through. But the celebration was short-lived as Scott Gentle answered back for the JNIC.

That was the end of the scoring for both teams.1st SOPS Coach Dan Lee said was happy with his team’s play,

especially as they went into the game unsure of their strengths and weaknesses.

With the tie, both teams receive one point. With a loss, a team receives zero points and with a win-three points.

This was the first week of intramural soccer action. Games will continue throughout the month on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the base championship taking place June 11, 12 and 14.

Shane Griffiths of the 50th Comptroller Squadron goes airborne to take control of the ball May 10. 50th CPTS defeated the 4th Space Operations Squadron 4-1.

Photo by Lorna Gutierrez

11Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

1� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

Col. John Hyten, center, talks with Col. Wayne McGee, 21st Operations Group commander (right) and Col. Jimmy McMillan, 10th Air Base Wing commander (left), prior to the first pitch May 11 at Security Services Field. The Colorado Sky Sox held a military appreciation night for local servicemembers. Colonel Hyten is the 50th Space Wing commander.

Sky Sox honor local Air Force communityStory by Walt Johnson

CSMNG

In an annual event that never seems to lose its excitement for the fans, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox hosted Air Force Appreciation Night at Security Services Field May 11.

The Sky Sox treated the near-capacity crowd, including many servicemembers of the local military community, to an exciting come-from-behind victory and a fireworks display after the game that is always second to none.

The evening got off to a quick start for Air Force servicemembers as senior leadership from each of the three local installations took part in the first pitch ceremony.

Brig. Gen. (s) John Hyten, 50th Space Wing commander, represented Schriever Air Force Base, Col. Jimmy McMillan, 10th Air Base Wing commander, represented the Air Force Academy and Col. Wayne McGee, 21st Operations Group commander and Col. Manny Hidalgo, 21st Mission Support Group commander, represented Peterson AFB.

A huge ovation then went up from the crowd as former Air Force Falcons coach Fisher DeBerry was announced. DeBerry was also on hand to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

After the opening ceremonies, members of the Air Force community sat back to take in a baseball game that started slow for the home team, but turned out to be a great game late as the Sky Sox came from six runs down to win the game.

Zac Osborn, Lee Shortell and Andrew Burton, members of the 50th Security Forces Squadron at Schriever, came to the stadium for the first time and were not disappointed at the way the game turned out.

Osborn said he felt the city of Colorado Springs, the Sky Sox and the sponsors of the event did a wonderful thing for the military

by having this appreciation night. “I came out tonight to take advantage of the

free tickets and to join in all the fun we are having,” Osborn said. “The Sky Sox and the sponsors were great to honor the military and offer us the tickets. I’ve only been in Colorado for six months so this is the first game I have been to see.

For Niki Kissiar and group of daisy scouts, it was not only a chance to see a good base-ball game and get recognized by the civilian community, it was also the culmination of the group’s days as daisy scouts. The young ladies got to walk across the bridge signifying their progression from daisy scouts to brownie scouts in front of the cheering audience before the game.

“We came out to watch the game, the fire-works and to recognize the daisy scouts to-night,” Kissiar said. “I feel really honored to be able to serve in the Air Force and to serve my country. It is always really nice to know that the community is out here to support us.

“This town is a very heavy military com-munity, but I have been to other places where I didn’t feel the military was as appreciated as we are here,” Kissiar said. “I feel really good knowing that what we have chosen to do (de-fend the country and serve in the military) is being recognized.

Kissiar believes a night like this also makes sure members who are overseas are honored.

“It’s especially good that the families who have deployed members can be here and know their servicemember is not forgotten,” she add-ed. “I definitely feel like we are representing the people who are deployed. In fact, one of my daisy scout’s dad’s is deployed overseas right now.”

Phot

o by

Wal

t Joh

nson

1�Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.mil May 17, 2007

1� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007

At the DISHLunch Meal

Friday RoastTurkey,Lasagna,FrenchFriedShrimp Saturday SwedishMeatballs,SavoryBakedChicken

Sunday SouthernerFriedCatfish,ChickenBreastParmesan

Monday BakedFish,PotRoast,CountryCaptainChicken

Tuesday VealParmesan,LemonBakedFish,TeriyakiChicken

Wednesday SpaghettiwithMeatSauce,PorkChops,FriedCatfish

Thursday FriedChicken,Brisket,BarbecueRibs,GrilledBrats

* Menu subject to change without notice, based on availability

Get out and go ... rafting! Single enlisted servicemembers interested

in being part of a rafting trip should stop by the Chaplain Service Office here for a ticket before May 21.

The rafting trip includes transportation, lunch, 20 miles through Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River and a one-hour core values conditioning discussion.

There is a suggested donation of $15 for the tickets. For more information, contact Senior Airman Daniel Bava, 50th Operations Support Squadron, at 567-2048.

Volunteers neededVolunteers are needed to read each

Wednesday in May from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the Child Development Center.

This is one of many events in celebration of

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.Stories will be APAH-related, and volun-

teers may also bring pictures of Asian coun-tries they visited to share with the children. Anyone on base may volunteer.

Up to eight volunteers are needed each Wednesday. Volunteers can check out a book from the CDC or bring their own if approved by the CDC.

For more information, contact Capt. Earl Chang, 22nd Space Operations Squadron, at 567-6921.

Child Development programThe Schriever Child Development Center

has openings for full-time care in their Enrichment Summer Program for children who will be in first grade next year.

For more details and information, call the CDC at 567-4742.

BASE BRIEFS

Helmet Safety

A helmet is required while on Schriever Air Force Base or any other military installation whenever you are riding a:

s BICYCLE

s SCOOTER

s SKATEBOARD

s ROLLER BLADING

�� Satellite Flyerwww.schriever.af.milMay 17, 2007