by Lan Kim
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
8/14/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Gen.
Paul J. Selva, the 10th--and newly appointed--vice chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the 90th Missile Wing Aug. 13-14 to meet
with ICBM combat crews, tour a missile alert facility and get a glance
of the operational environment of the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad.
F.E. Warren was the first stop for Gen. Selva, as he visits all three
legs of the nuclear triad. As the nation's second highest ranking
military officer, Selva fulfills several nuclear enterprise oversight
roles for the country's intercontinental ballistic missiles,
nuclear-capable bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
"I am extraordinarily proud of the men and women of F.E. Warren Air
Force Base," Selva said. "Maintaining a strong, credible nuclear
deterrent is a key element of U.S. National Security Strategy, and the
vigilant professionals who operate and support our nuclear assets
provide our leaders with combat capability for a more peaceful world."
This visit to Warren marks his first visit to an Air Force base, since
being sworn in as VCJCS on July 31, and demonstrates the importance of
the nuclear deterrence mission and the ICBMs that the 90th MW controls.
"Gen. Selva's visit, within days after assuming the position of vice
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, clearly conveys the critical
importance that our ICBM force provides to the defense of our nation,"
said Lt. Col. Russell Williford, 320th Missile Squadron commander.
"Gen. Selva stated in his July confirmation hearings the greatest threat
to our nation are the nuclear-capable countries that present an
existential threat to the United States; his immediate visit to F.E.
Warren communicates the immeasurable value and capability of ICBMs in
securing our way of life," he said.
During his visit to Warren, Selva emphasized the responsiveness and
reliability of the ICBM leg of the triad, and the exceptional Airmen who
provide that power. In meeting with ICBM combat crews and touring a
MAF, he was able to get first-hand insight into the operations of the
ICBM force.
"Those who execute the nuclear mission are some of the most skillfully
trained and educated the U.S. military has to offer, and safeguarding
the health of our nuclear deterrent force is among the most important
things we do," he said. "Rest assured that your leaders are committed to
invest in you ... to train, encourage and empower you to succeed in
this no-fail mission."
According to the DOD, it is the mission of the ICBM force to stand ready
in providing a safe, secure and effective deterrence against potential
adversaries, and to assure allies within the complex security
environment facing the nation.
by Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
8/4/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Ninetieth
Missile Wing Airmen gathered in the Trail's End ballroom, waiting for
the announcement of who among them were selected to represent the wing
at this year's Global Strike Challenge. The room went dark and the
Airmen fell silent.
Suddenly, a shot rang out, followed by several more.
Capt. Joshua Haynes, replete in cowboy hat, bandana and black duster
storms the room with two six-guns loaded with blanks, creating an
orchestra of noises livening the crowd. It was time to get the show
started.
This week marks the beginning of the fifth annual Global Strike
Challenge and, the 90th Missile Wing held their announcement, July 31 to
motivate the base and the Airmen competing.
Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition.
Teams from the 90th Missile Wing and Warren vie for the title of the best of the best in AFGSC.
Airmen will compete through September, testing the capabilities of
mission critical units along with essential supporting agencies. Units
participating from Warren include the 90th Security Forces Group, 90th
Maintenance Group, 90th Operations Group, 90th Mission Support Group and
36th Helicopter Squadron.
"I think it's an awesome competition," said 1st Lt. Daniel Uresti, 320th
Missile Squadron. "This year I'll be competing, so I'm training every
day until competition."
The single thing each competitor shares, despite facing different challenges, is their motivation to succeed.
"It really makes all of the different units work together and motivate
each other," Uresti said. "You cheer each other on. It's not an
individual competition or a specific unit's fight. We're all in this
together."
Each team has a personal instructor assigned to assist them in their path to victory.
"I feel confident. Our base has phenomenal people competing and
coaching," Staff Sgt. Katie Coble, 90th Maintenance Group quality
assurance evaluator and past competitor. "I'm using my previous
experience of doing the challenge as a team chief to help me be a better
instructor."
Maj. Grant Fowler, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron, is the wing
lead for the GSC. He said, there are several objectives for the Global
Strike Challenge. Through competition and teamwork, the event aims to
foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams,
and improve combat capabilities.
Like scopes aimed at a target, the competitors appear to be ready to
tackle every challenge they meet head on. However, winning is not the
purpose, but a milestone for the competitors.
"This is to motivate and increase the morale, to push us to work harder and shows us the fun side of our careers," Fowler said.
To help those Airmen make it to the finish line, it will take the effort of the entire base populous.
"For us to be a success, it'll take the dedication and motivation of everyone [on Warren,]" Coble said.
But all work and no play isn't what the facility maintenance section instructor is aiming for.
"I want them to have fun," Coble said. "At the end of the day it's a friendly competition."
Coble, along with a few of the other instructors for the teams, have
experienced the full force of the GSC and are working to ensure the
Airmen competing get the most out of the experience.
Col. Stephen Kravitsky, 90th Missile Wing commander, closes the event with his expectations of the competition.
"This isn't about the wing or competing with the other wings, the focus
is on those Airmen competing," Kravitsky said. "At the end of the day,
whether we bring home the trophy or not, have fun, enjoy your time and
learn from this experience."
by Senior Airman Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
7/21/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The
clanking of a blacksmith's hammer and the smell of gun smoke lets the
base and Cheyenne, Wyo., know one of its biggest events is back.
F.E. Warren opened its gates to the general public from July 17 to 19
for the 21st annual Fort D.A. Russell Days, the base's open house.
Guests had a chance to view demonstrations and displays showing the base's past and current missions.
"This is one of our best community outreach programs for showing people
what we do," said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Ramey, member of 90th Security
Support Squadron Vehicle Section. Ramey volunteered to showcase the 90th
Security Forces Group's vehicles and equipment during Fort D.A. Russell
Days.
Ninetieth Missile Wing Airmen provided tours of the missile procedures
trainer, a Minuteman III ICBM launch control center replica, and the
U-01 training facility, a Minuteman III launch facility replica.
Furthermore, other base organizations, including security forces and
civil engineers, displayed some of their equipment and explained their
missions to visitors.
"Everybody's been ecstatic about learning about the vehicles," said
Senior Airman Allen Roy, also with the 90th SSPTS Vehicle Section.
In addition to equipment displays, the Warren Spouses Club and Balfour
Beatty Communities offered visitors tours of historic brick homes on
base.
First-time events at this year's Fort D.A. Russell Days were a Buffalo
Soldiers presentation and a visit from the Leap Frogs, the U.S. Navy
parachute team.
The open house coincides with the beginning of Cheyenne Frontier Days,
Ramey said. This allows more people to see the base's mission because
many people visit Cheyenne for CFD.
Fort D.A. Russell Days is the brain-child of Paula Taylor, 90th MW
Warren ICBM & Heritage Museum director. The event included living
history presentations from the Colonial-era, Civil War, World War II,
along with re-enactments of battles from each.
"This is the best turnout we've had in the 21 years we've done Fort D.A.
Russell Days," Taylor said. "There was a continuous stream of
visitors."
One visitor who had a chance to see many of the demonstrations had kind
words to say about the open house. Tayler Wilson, Cheyenne resident,
said she visited the open house to see what it was all about.
"I read about it in the newspaper, and it's a cool thing," Wilson said.
"It allows people to really see what the base does for our community."
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