2 October 9, 2009 Missileer VIEJPOINTS Family members; standing shoulder-to-shoulder http://www.patrick.af.mil Missileer staff By Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr. Commander 45th Space Wing Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley desig- nated this the "Year of the Air Force Family." "You can rest assured that tak- ing care of families is a solemn promise we make to each Airman and family and one that Chief Roy, General Schwartz, and I each take very seriously," Secretary Donley said. "And we make this commit- ment not only because it's the right thing to do for our Airmen, but because it is the smart thing to do for our Air Force." And just as important as being smart, it's the right thing to do as well. The sacrifices our Air Force families are making especially From the top in today's opstempo are vitally important to the overall mission of the 45th Space Wing and the U.S. Air Force. And I'll be the very first to say that talk can sometimes be cheap, and you can be assured I will walk the talk. When we say we appreci- ate our family members, we will back that up with actions, not fancy slogans and catch-phrases. We have an entire team of spe- cialists all over this base who are highly-trained and highly-motivat- ed to help our families in any way they can. If you need help in any- thing from child care to changing your tires ask. If you know someone who needs help, ask for them. The Chief of Staff also had this to say. "The strength of the nation's Air Force is not the platforms we oper- ate or the technologies we employ, as good as they are," General Schwartz said. "It is our Airmen and their families. The Air Force is a great place to work, live, and play. Our intent is to make it even better." I don't know if I can find the words to express how much I appreciate how much our family members give back to this wing and to their com- munity. But I do know family members stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Airmen. They always have and always will. They are very much a valued part of the Air Force family. It's finally over ... but is it really? By Lt. Col. Randall "Craig" Lambert Commander, 45th Medical Support Squadron Unless you have been under a rock over the last two months, you all know that that 45th Space Wing recently completed the Air Force Space Command Inspector General Operational Readiness Inspection /Unit Compliance Inspection. This inspection will probably be one of the most intense evaluations we ever face in the Air Force. I know we all put in extra hours in the months leading up to the inspec- tion and will take some time off over the next few months after our successful outcome. We can finally say, "It's over!" Although I am excited the 45th Space Wing completed the "best inspection seen to date" from the AFSPC/IG, I am not sure it is really Commander's Corner over ... ever. This inspection vali- dated some awesome 45th Space Wing performers and teams. It also validated that we are prepared to perform our mission to launch rockets, support the eastern range, prepare/deploy airman, comply with HQ directives, and constantly maintain base operations regard- less of situations. However, the IG team did identify areas that need improvement and attention with multiple significant findings. The IG was tasked to validate our capabilities. We prepared very hard leading up to the inspection and we must now put considerable effort and time to the capabilities that need our attention. If we have a weak capability, it needs our quick attention and focus. We owe it to the Air Force, to each other, and to our mission to make it right. One hundred percent mission success, including regulatory compliance, does not come easily. Compliance at all levels must become and remain a focus for us all. So, I know I am happy that the IG is gone and that they will not be back any time soon, but I also know that as leaders we must never get comfortable with the status quo. Just like education is a life-long endeavor, we must not get satis- fied with recent inspection results. We must be constantly preparing every day for our mission and that requires a commitment to excel- lence and a true attention to detail. The most important question for us all "Are we constantly ready for the day-to-day mission to "assure access to the high frontier and sup- port global operations?" The answer needs to be "yes." Always. Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr. 45th Space Wing Commander Mr. Brad Swezey Chief of Public Affairs 2nd Lt. Karl Wiest Deputy Chief of Public Affairs 2nd Lt. 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