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PPeeaarrll HHaarrbboorr DDaayyToday is the 65th anniversary ofthe Japanese attack on PearlHarbor. The United States enteredWorld War II the next day with aunanimous vote of the U.S. Senate.VOL. 8, NO. 49 www.schriever.af.milColorado Springs, Colo.DECEMBER 7, 2006

Tax time is comingThe 50th Space Wing Judge

Advocate office needs volun-teer income tax assistants andis asking each unit on base tosupply two people for the taskbefore Dec. 14.

Representatives must havebasic computer skills forinputting tax return informa-tion and be able to performbasic tasks accurately andcompletely.

Each representative willreceive basic or refresher taxlaw training. Squadron com-manders should sign theirunits’ respective appointmentletters.

For more information or atemplate of the appointmentletter, contact Master Sgt.Aleisha Thompson, 50thSW/JA at 567-5052.

Main Fitness Center,basketball court close

The Main Fitness Centerwill close Friday in prepara-tion for the 2006 Children’sHoliday Festival.

In addition, the basketballcourt is closed until installa-tion of new flooring is com-plete.

The Fitness Center Annexwill remain open at its regularhours.

News Briefs

Commentary . . .2News . . . . . . .3-11

Features . . .12-15Sports . . . . . . . .16

50th OSS NCO picked for Tops in BlueStaff Sgt. Don Branum

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

A unit deployment manager for the 50th OperationsSupport Squadron will be one of the Air Force’s topcelebrities in 2007.

Staff Sgt. Grace Diaz, who was the runner-up for bestfemale vocalist in the Air Force’s annual talent competi-tion, will join next year’s Tops in Blue showcase.

The selection is a dream come true for Sergeant Diaz,who has been in the Air Force for about five years.

“I’m really looking forward to something that I reallylove to do and getting paid for it,” she said. “It’s not reallyeven a job.”

Sergeant Diaz started singing for audiences when shewas 10. She sang for school assemblies in middle school.In high school, she sang at Quinceañeras, which are “sweet16” birthday parties for Hispanic teenagers. She joined theAir Force in 2001.

This isn’t the first time Sergeant Diaz tried out for Topsin Blue—she took her first shot at fame in 2003. She wasgetting married around the same time, however, and hernew marriage took priority.

She hadn’t planned on trying out again, but she changedher mind when she and another Airman from her squadronsaw Tops in Blue’s “Perform Your Duty” CDs on display atthe Main Fitness Center here.

“I wanted the opportunity to do it,” she said. “I didn’twant to regret not trying out, so I thought, why not?”

Why not indeed. Two weeks after she submitted hervideo audition, her squadron commander, Lt. Col. JenniferMoore, got a phone call from Lackland Air Force Base,Texas. Sergeant Diaz had been selected to join 60 otherapplicants in the Air Force’s annual talent contest.

Sergeant Diaz was on vacation back home when herleaders called her with good news.

“They told me I’d made it to the worldwide contest—itwas pretty exciting,” she said.

Sergeant Diaz talked with her husband, Senior AirmanCarlos Diaz, who works at Cheyenne Mountain Air ForceStation; and she talked with her leaders. They all support-ed her, even though they knew they would lose her for ayear if she were selected.

“If you have sharp troops with special talents, you have

Schriever gains a celebrity:

Staff Sgt. Grace Diaz See TOPS, Page 7

photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum

Second Lt. Andrew Powell, 50th Space Communications Squadron, and his wife, Samantha, take to the dance floor during the 50thSpace Wing Holiday Party at the Peterson Air Force Base Consolidated Club Friday night. Lieutenant Powell chaired the holiday partycommittee. Blue Steel of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band performed for the party. For story and more photos, see pages 14 and 15.

Dancing into the holidays

DECEMBER 7, 2006SATELLITE FLYER www.schriever.af.milCOMMENTARY2

COL. JOHN HYTEN, 50TH SPACE WING COMMANDER

Ed Parsons, Chief of Public Affairs

Capt. Jean Duggan, Chief of Internal Information Newspaper Staff:

Staff Sgt. Don Branum, EditorSkip Grubelnik, Layout and design

Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper 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 authorized publication for mem-

bers of the U.S. military services.

Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. gov-

ernment, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. The appearance of adver-

tising 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 without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,

marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation 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 advertising is accepted by the publisher at 634-5905.

Deadline is Friday at noon, the week prior to publication.E-mail submissions to flyer@schriever.af.mil or call thePublic Affairs office at 567-5040 for more information.

THE SATELLITE FLYER210 Falcon Pkwy. Ste. 2102, Colorado Springs, CO 80912-2102

(719) 567-5040 or Fax (719) 567-5306

Schriever’s Commander’s

Hotline is brought to the base by

Col. John Hyten, 50th Space Wing

Commander.

It provides a communication tool

for people to obtain information and

assistance in making Schriever a bet-

ter place to work.

Colonel Hyten asks that, before

you e-mail the Commander’s

Hotline, please try to resolve your

problem through the responsible

agencies listed here.

AFOSI.................................567-5049

Chaplain..............................567-3705

Child Development Center..567-4742

Clinic...................................567-4455

Civilian Personnel...............567-5799

Contracting..........................567-3800

Finance................................567-2009

Fitness Center......................567-6628

Inspector General................567-3764

Law Enforcement Desk.......567-5642

Military Personnel...............567-5900

Public Affairs......................567-5040

Safety...................................567-4236

Commander’s HotlineE-E-MAILMAIL: C: COMMOMMGGRAMRAMHL@SHL@SCHRIEVERCHRIEVER..AFAF..MILMIL

Flo Horario50th Space Wing

Military Personnel Flight

“Its the celebration

and social gather-

ings.”

Pam Spain

50th Mission Support

Squadron

“Getting together with

family.”

Tech Sgt.

Gregory Gifford50th Comptroller

Squadron

“Spending time with

family, good friends

and sharing food and

spirits.”

What do you enjoymost about the

holidays?

‘If you catch a buzz, catch a ride’Schriever Drug Demand

Reduction Program

Impaired driving is one ofAmerica’s deadliest crimes.

Nearly 50 times a day, someonein the United States dies in an alco-hol-related crash.

Hundreds of thousands more areinjured each year.

According to the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administra-tion, about three in every tenAmericans will be involved in analcohol-related crash at some pointin their lives.

That’s why the Health andWellness Center and the DrugDemand Reduction Program here arejoining with other national, state andlocal highway safety and lawenforcement officials to remindeveryone this holiday season toalways designate a sober driverbefore each holiday party or eventinvolving alcohol.

“The holiday season is supposedto be a time for family friends, andfestive celebrations, but it is unfortu-nately also a time when we see a

jump in the number of alcohol-relat-ed highway fatalities each yearbetween Thanksgiving and NewYear’s” said Eddie Roski, SchrieverDDRP manager. “That’s why we areout early reminding everyone thisholiday season, if you catch a buzz,catch a ride.

“Designating a sober driverbefore the party begins is just one ofseveral, simple steps to remember tohelp avoid a tragic crash or an arrestfor impaired driving,” he said.

He also offered other simplereminders for a safer holiday season:

• Don’t even think about gettingbehind the wheel of your vehicle ifyou’ve been out drinking.

• If you are impaired, call a taxi,use mass transit, or get a soberfriend, family member or Wingmanto come and get you.

• And remember — Friends Don’tLet Friends Drive Drunk. Take thekeys and don’t let a friend leave yoursight if you think they are about todrive while impaired;

• If you are hosting a party thisholiday season, remind your gueststo plan ahead, always offer alcohol-

free beverages during the event, andmake sure all of your guests leavewith a sober driver.

Since 1981, every President of theUnited States has proclaimedDecember “National Drunk andDrugged Driving Prevention Month”to help underscore the public’s com-mitment to preventing impaired driv-ing and promoting the use of desig-nated drivers and sober ride pro-grams.

The month of December and theNew Year’s Eve holiday are oftenhighlighted by significant increasesin state and local law enforcementefforts to combat impaired drivingsuch as the use of sobriety check-points and saturation patrols.

“Driving impaired or riding withsomeone who is impaired is simplynot worth the risk,” Mr. Roski said.“The consequences are serious andreal. Not only do you risk killingyourself or someone else, but thetrauma and financial costs of a crashor an arrest for driving whileimpaired can be really significantand not the way you want to spendyour holiday season.”

Influenza is preventable: Protect yourself, get vaccinated Maj. Mark Rasnake

Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Influenza season is upon us once again, and many arefocused on the threat of avian and pandemic influenza,or the bird flu.

Amid all the concern over these significant threats itis important to remember the widespread illness anddeaths caused by the influenza virus every year. Noteveryone stops to think that every year more than 30,000Americans die from the flu, more than from any otherinfectious disease in the U.S. More people die frominfluenza than all other vaccine preventable diseasescombined.

Another 200,000 persons are hospitalized due to thisdisease, and many more miss work or school due to ill-ness.

Fortunately, influenza is preventable. Currently thereare two vaccines available. One is a nasal spray vaccinethat is safe and effective for healthy people 5 to 49 yearsof age. This vaccine is made from a live but weakenedflu virus that should not be given to those with weakenedimmune systems. The other is an injectable vaccine thatis safe for everyone older than 6 months of age, includ-ing those with chronic medical conditions and weakenedimmune systems. Both vaccines are highly effective atpreventing influenza.

Apart from protecting yourself, there are other goodreasons to receive the flu vaccine. Vaccination of chil-dren has been shown to protect the elderly from beingexposed to the flu and can reduce illness and deaths inthese vulnerable populations. Healthy adults benefit fromfewer lost workdays due to illnesses, and businesses thatprovide this vaccine to their employees find it cost effec-tive.

More importantly, vaccination of healthcare workershas been clearly shown to decrease influenza illness anddeaths among patients under their care.

The flu is contagious for more than a day before thefirst symptoms appear, so healthcare workers cannot relyon symptoms to warn them that they may pose a risk totheir patients. Receiving the flu shot is the best way toprotect oneself, one’s patients, or anyone you contact thatmay be at risk for severe disease due to influenza.

The Air Force takes a leading role in the fight againstinfluenza.

The influenza virus changes from year to year, andthe vaccine must be modified in order to prevent thesenew viruses. Officials from the Air Force Institute forOperational Health at Brooks City Base, Texas, conductsadvanced surveillance and testing of global influenzaisolates.

Their efforts provide critical data to the annual designof flu vaccines that can prevent the currently circulatingstrains of influenza.

Free flu shots will be available to the public ona first-come, first-served basis at Skyview MiddleSchool, 6350 Windom Peak Boulevard in ColoradoSprings, Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.

The flu shots are being offered as part of a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise called“Operation Vaccinate,” according to a HealthDepartment press release.

Residents must be willing to participate in theemergency exercise to receive the vaccine.

The Health Department will provide vaccine toanyone ages 9 and older; children under age 18must be accompanied by a parent or legalguardian.

For more information, contact the HealthDepartment at 575-8521.

County offers free flu shots

ClarificationMaster Sgt. Steven Goldman, Air Education and

Training Command, and Master Sgt. Richard Young,Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute,collaborated for last week’s commentary titled,“Navajo code in WWII was never broken.”

3DECEMBER 7, 2006

SATELLITE FLYERwww.schriever.af.mil NEWS

PleaseRecycle

Wargame preparation highlights role of space in homeland defense

Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Thibault Air Force Space Command

Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.— Space is an integral part of the Americanway of life, war-fighting operations andhomeland defense.

Air Force Space Command and U.S.Northern Command have partnered to addresscommon issues facing the future defense ofthe homeland.

“Seminars like these contribute much indeveloping potential courses of action,” saidAFSPC Vice Commander Lt. Gen. FrankKlotz. “Space can and will play a decisive rolein securing our borders and the maritimeapproaches, and defending the homeland.”

General Klotz also highlighted the recent-ly released U.S. National Space Policy. Henoted that while there is a great deal of conti-nuity between the old and new policies, thereare also distinct differences.

One difference is the emphasis placed onhomeland security. The 10-page policy sum-mary references homeland security 15 times,General Klotz said.

“While this reflects the effects of Sept. 11and hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it reflects arecognition of the enormous contributionsspace capabilities make to this critical missionset,” the general said.

Through a series of AFSPC-sponsoredseminars designed to investigate space opera-tions in a future conflict, AFSPC held thefourth and final seminar, which focused onhomeland defense and security, Nov. 14 to 16

at USNORTHCOM Headquarters here inpreparation for the Schriever IV Wargamescheduled for Spring 2007.

During the past eight months, theSchriever IV Wargame team has conductedthree previous seminars on policy and rules ofengagement, counterspace and informationoperations.

“These seminars are the building blockswe will use to execute the wargame inMarch,” said Jason Altchek, Schriever IVdirector.

Air Combat Command will hold the eventat Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Navy Adm. Timothy Keating, commanderof North American Aerospace DefenseCommand and USNORTHCOM, kicked offthis final seminar with opening commentshighlighting the importance of space systemsand capabilities.

“The space domain is somewhat foreign toa lot of us,” the admiral said. “In the UnitedStates, we control it and accept it as a productgiven to us by the ‘space’ guys. We need to(gain) a better understanding of it and theintegration of resources that are fundamentalto delivering the air superiority we enjoytoday.”

Admiral Keating spoke of the wealth ofknowledge and expertise gathered for thisseminar, including the Schriever IV Wargamesenior mentors, former Air Force Chief ofStaff General Ronald Fogelman, retired Gen.Charles Holland, former commander of U.S.Special Operations Command; and retiredMarine Gen. Charles Wilhelm, former com-mander of U.S. Southern Command.

At WorkJob description: I am a

Restricted Area Entry Controller andFlight Armorer.

Best part of your job: Knowingthat I am protecting my friends andfamily and getting to help people.

Best Air Force experience: TheAirman’s run at the end of basictraining.

Time at Schriever: 11 months.Time in Air Force: One year and

four months.Career goals: To acquire skills in

the Air Force that will enable me tohave a successful career in civilianlaw enforcement.

How do you support yourWingman? I support my wingmenby supporting the no DUI program.

At HomeLife goals: To be married and

have a family, own a home in thecountry and have a successful career.

Hometown: Shueyville, Iowa.One word to describe you:

Modest.Hobbies: Playing guitar.When I’m with friends, I enjoy:

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ed to be: A basketball player.The first thing I would do if I

won $1 million: Not tell anyone andinvest it.

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Understanding Islam:

Chaplain explains basics of religion during visitStaff Sgt. Don Branum

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The Muslim chaplain at the U.S. AirForce Academy spoke with an audienceof more than 200 people here Mondayabout the basics of Islam.

Chaplain (Capt.) Abdullah al-Mubarak became the Air Force’s firstMuslim chaplain in 1997 and is one ofthe service’s leading experts on Islam,said Lt. Col. Sam McNiel, 22nd SpaceOperations Squadron director of opera-tions.

Chaplain al-Mubarak began the dis-cussion with the origins and history ofIslam. The Prophet Muhammad descend-ed from Ishmael, one of Abraham’s twosons. He was known as “al-Amin,” or“trustworthy”; even those who did notlike him sought him out to arbitrate dis-putes.

During the month of Ramadan,Muhammad traveled to a cave on MountHira outside Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to fastand pray.

During Muhammad’s retreat in 610A.D., the Archangel Gabriel visited him.Over the next 23 years, Muhammadspread the teachings of Islam throughoutMecca and later Medina.

The characteristics of God arerevealed to Sunni Muslims through theQuran and the Sunnah, a part of Islamiclaw, Chaplain al-Mubarak said.

Chaplain (Capt.) Abdullah al-Mubarak answers Airmen's questions about Islam after a presentation titled "Understanding Islam" inthe Building 300 Auditorium here Monday. Chaplain al-Mubarak is one of the Air Force's leading experts on Islam.

photo by Staff Sgt. Don Branum

See ISLAM, Page 7

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Chanukah recalls miracle of lightLouis Steinberg

50th Mission Support Squadron

Editor’s Note: Mr. Steinberg is the Jewish layleader for the 50th Space Wing.

The message of Chanukah is important andtimely to all Jews. Chanukah, the Festival ofLights, recalls the victory — more than 2100 yearsago — of a militarily weak but spiritually strongJewish people over the mighty forces of ruthlessenemy that had overrun the Holy Land and threat-ened to engulf the land and its people in darkness.

The Chanukah Menorah is as a symbol andmessage of the triumph of freedom over oppres-sion, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Itis a timely and reassuring message, for the forcesof darkness are ever-present.

Chanukah reminds us of the Maccabees whowent into Holy Temple to light the Menorah butfound only one jar of pure oil. It contained onlyenough oil for one day, but the Maccabees lit thelights of the Menorah from it for eight days.

The Chanukah lights are lit when the starsappear. On the first night, one light is lit and onevery successive night, an additional light is addedso that on the eighth night, eight lights are lit.

On the first night one kindles the light on theextreme right. On the following night, another

light is added to the left of the previous night’slight. On each night, an additional light is added tothe left of the light previously lit. Thus one isalways adding from right to left, but lighting fromleft to right.

The reason why we first kindle the light, whichhad been added that evening, is to show that themiracle increased on every successive night.

On the first night of Chanukah, three blessingare recited before lighting:

• Blessed are You who have commanded us tokindle the Chanukah lights.

• Blessed are You who has performed miraclesfor our father.

• Blessed are You who has given us life.

It is customary to refrain from using theChanukah lights even to light each other. Rather,the Chanukah lights should be lit using anothercandle.

The Chanukah lights should be lit at theentrance to one’s home, facing the street. Theyshould be placed on the left side of the entrance.The custom in recent generations has been to placethe Chanukah lights in a window facing the street.One should not place them on a table in the middleof the room for then one will not have publicizedthe miracle.

You're invited!The Schriever Children's Holiday Festival will be held at the MainFitness Center here Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children canvisit Santa, play games, have their faces painted and more. For moreinformation contact the 50th Services Division at 567-4740.

photo by Staff Sgt. Phyllis Duff

6 DECEMBER 7, 2006SATELLITE FLYER www.schriever.af.mil

7DECEMBER 7, 2006

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to show your support,” said 1st Lt. Rod Douglas, chief of the 50thOperations Group’s Operational Readiness and Expeditionary TrainingSection. “If you lose someone to another squadron or section, and that’sa step up for them, support them—show them that you genuinely care.”

The auditions took place from Nov. 5 to 13. They were broken downinto groups when they arrived. The team members had to stick togeth-er at all times.

“We got close,” Sergeant Diaz said with a smile. She pointed to a listof names on her cubicle wall—a list of teammates that she keeps evennow—and mentioned that two of her companions would join her for the2007 tour.

The 2006 team made a guest appearance one evening about midwaythrough the week.

“We talked to the 2006 team and saw them perform,” Sergeant Diazsaid. “We got to ask them questions in regards to the tour.”

More than just the competition took up her time, though.“Some of the members got to be in a choir, and some of us got to

perform for the community,” she said. “I was in the choir, but two teamsactually performed for the community. The choir sang at a banquet.

“A lot of the time I was practicing,” she added. “Prior (Tops in Blue)members were there to help us out.”

She underwent a personal interview with the Tops in Blue director.Then she took the stage for several auditions—singing, dancing andeven drama.

For her primary audition, which was in the female vocalist category,she sang “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

When the contest wrapped up, she placed second.“I didn’t really expect to win runner-up,” she said. “I was surprised.

I was thankful, too, because a lot of people were there to help us allout.”

“Not everyone gets something, but there’s a lot of talent—a lot ofpeople there were really talented,” she added.

“We’re so proud of her,” Lieutenant Douglas said. “She’s achieved somuch. When I say she’s an asset to our unit, I mean that sincerely.”

When Sergeant Diaz joins the Tops in Blue 2007 tour, 50th OSS, theSchriever Choir and the High Frontier Honor Guard will all miss herpresence.

However, Tops in Blue was the perfect chance for her to follow hercalling while representing the Air Force, the lieutenant said.

“She’s truly representative of our core values,” he said. “She repre-sents the Air Force in such a great way—she’s approachable and she’sextremely smart. For her to be able to go on tour as an ambassador forthe Air Force is perfect—it’s a great fit.”

TOPS, from Page 1

The Sunni chaplain next explained the FivePillars of Islam: Shahadah, the testimony of faith;Salat, the commandment to pray five times a day;Siyam, the observance of Ramadan through fast-ing; Zakat, the paying of alms; and Hajj, the pil-grimage to Mecca.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from morningtwilight until sunset. A small meal before day-break consists of dates, milk and water. Duringthe day, Muslims must abstain from eating, drink-ing, smoking or anything else that gives worldlypleasure.

In the evening, Muslims recite a 30th of theQuran, so that by the end of Ramadan, they haverecited the entire holy book.

“There’s nothing we can give God, glory be toHim, so we sacrifice that which God provides forus,” the chaplain said.

The fast is not meant as a hardship—thosewho are pregnant, traveling or in poor health arenot allowed to fast.

Zakat requires Muslims to donate 2.5 percentof their wealth during Ramadan to provide foodand medicine to the poor.

“If my neighbor’s children aren’t being clothedand fed, that is a sin upon me,” Chaplain al-Mubarak said.

After explaining the Five Pillars, Chaplain al-Mubarak spoke about differences between Shiaand Sunni denominations. He began his explana-tion by discussing what the two faiths have incommon.

“As Muslims, we believe in His angels and allhis books of revelation, but the Quran is the finalrevelation before the day of judgment. We believein His prophets ... we believe in the virgin birthand that Jesus will come again before the Day ofJudgment.”

An important difference between Islam andChristianity is that, while Muslims recognize

Jesus as a prophet, they do not recognize him asGod-made-flesh, Chaplain al-Mubarak said.

The principal difference between Shia andSunni denominations revolves around the succes-sor to Muhammad—the Shias backedMuhammad’s cousin, Ali ibn Abu Talib, while theSunni faction backed Abu Bakr, one of the firstconverts to Islam.

The chaplain also clarified the definition of“jihad,” which is a strive or struggle along thepath of God.

Jihad is broken down into two categories: apersonal struggle against sin and a greater strug-gle against an external enemy. When the SovietUnion invaded Afghanistan, Muslim leadersissued a jihad to those in Afghanistan directingthem to defend the country.

“A jihad must be from someone who can raisean army in an offensive or defensive role,”Chaplain al-Mubarak said. “Al-Qaida does notfulfill the requirements of jihad.”

At the end of his presentation, Chaplain al-Mubarak took questions from the audience. Oneperson asked how the chaplain felt about racial orreligious profiling. Those who advocate profilingviolate the First Amendment right of people topractice their faith.

“Why am I singled out? My father fought inVietnam; I’ve been in the Air Force 14 years,” hesaid. “Even those who are advocating the profil-ing don’t know—if I have a beard and wearMuslim garb, I look nothing like the Sept. 11 ter-rorists.”

He also warned against using derogatory lan-guage to refer to any Muslim, even an insurgent.

“We need to remember what we stand for,”Chaplain al-Mubarak said. “As an Air Force offi-cer, as an American and as a Muslim, I acknowl-edge that people are free to practice their religion.As an imam, it’s imperative on me to help educatepeople about Islam and the social contract wehave with America.”

ISLAM, from Page 4

8 SATELLITE FLYER www.schriever.af.mil

DECEMBER 7, 2006

GGiivviinngg ttrreeeess sspprroouutt uupp oonn bbaasseeSchriever has three giving trees this year for those who

are interested in donating toys or gifts for families inneed.

Trees are located in the DeKok Building atrium, nearthe Satellite Dish Dining Facility and in front of theFalcon’s Nest Café. Tags on each tree are marked with theage and gender of the child who will receive the gift.

To participate, simply buy a gift that is age- and gen-der-appropriate and deliver it to Master Sgt. MichaelPrimo, 50th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant, orto Staff Sgt. Lance Tressler, 50th Space Wing chaplainassistant. Sergeant Primo is in the DeKok Building, Room210; Sergeant Tressler is in the chaplain’s office inBuilding 300.

For more information, contact Sergeant Primo at 567-3723.

AAFFSSAA wwiillll kkiicckk ooffff ttooyy ddrriivvee MMoonnddaayyThe Schriever chapter of the Air Force Sergeants

Association will hold a toy drive here to collect and dis-tribute gifts to the children of deployed Airmen fromMonday to Dec. 20.

Collection boxes and attendants will collect unwrappedtoys from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at both portal entrances to therestricted area and the DeKok Building every day exceptDec. 16 and 17. For more information, contact MasterSgt. Chester Spires, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron firstsergeant, at 567-2668.

HHeeaalltthh bbeenneeffiittss ooppeenn sseeaassoonnFederal Employees Health Benefits open season ends

Monday.During the open season, eligible federal civilian

employees may enroll, change plans or options, changefrom self-and-family to self-only or cancel coverage.

For Air Force-serviced civilian employees, open seasonenrollment or changes become effective Jan. 7 and will bereflected on your leave and earning statement receivedJan. 26. Also, the new Federal Employees Dental and

Vision Insurance Program is available to eligible Federalemployees and their family members during the open sea-son. For those who enroll during the open season, cover-age will be effective Dec. 31.

Premium deductions will begin for Air Force-servicedcivilian employees with the pay period that begins Jan. 7and will be reflected in Jan. 26 leave and earnings state-ments.

CCGGOOCC ttoo hhoolldd mmeennttoorriinngg sseessssiioonnSchriever company-grade officers are invited to a men-

torship meeting featuring the 50th Network OperationsGroup commander Friday at 1 p.m. in the 50th OperationsGroup Conference Room.

To RSVP, contact 2nd Lt. Amber Ortiz, 50th MissionSupport Squadron, at 567-5345.

HHoouussiinngg ooffffiiccee hhoouurrss aannnnoouunncceeddThe Peterson Air Force Base Housing office has

announced limited hours for some days in December andearly January.

The housing office will close at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 20 foran official function. It will be closed all day Dec. 22, 25and 29 and Jan. 1.

The office will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on otherweekdays.

FFiieelldd ooffffiicciiaallss nneeeeddeeddThe U.S. Air Force Academy needs volunteer track and

field officials for the 2007 season.The meets will be held Jan. 13 and 27, Feb. 2 to 3 and

May 4 at the Air Force Academy.For more information, contact Scott Irving, Academy

head field event coach, at 333-3013.

NNooFFEEAARR ttrraaiinniinngg dduuee DDeecc.. 1155All Air Force civilians and their supervisors must com-

plete Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimina-tion and Retaliation (NoFEAR) training before Dec. 15.

Contractors are encouraged but not required to attend.

To take the training, log into https://golearn.csd.disa.miland go to Course List – Miscellaneous – NoFEAR ActTraining. Participants must pass the end-of-training testwith a score of 70 percent or better to receive credit fortaking the course.

Turn in copies of completion certificates to CelestineJoyner, 50th Space Wing Equal Employment Opportunity,via fax at 567-5309 or via e-mail at celestine.joyner@schriever.af.mil.

For more information, contact Ms. Joyner at 567-7096.

AAFFIITT nnoommiinnaattiioonnss dduuee JJaann.. 2200Applications for NCOs to attend the Air Force Institute

of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio,are due to Air Force Personnel Command no later thanJan. 20.

Applicants should be technical sergeants or above witha minimum of eight years time-in-service, 24 monthstime-on-station and three years of retainability upon grad-uation.

They must have completed the appropriate skill-levelupgrade and resident professional military education fortheir rank.

For more information, contact Master Sgt. RichardLongacre, 50th Space Wing career assistance adviser, at567-5927.

5500tthh SSCCSS ooffffeerrss ccoommppuutteerr ccllaasssseessThe 50th Space Communications Squadron will offer

introductory and intermediate classes on Microsoft Officetools in December. Classes are open on a first-come,first-served basis.

For more information, contact Schriever TrainingServices at 567-7887.

GGoott SSnnooFFeesstt!!!!!!??Have you made plans to attend SnoFest!!! 2007?If not, contact the Outdoor Recreation Office at

567-6050 to reserve discounted ski lifts and hotel faresfor the hottest party in the Rocky Mountains.

FYI

9DECEMBER 7, 2006

SATELLITE FLYERwww.schriever.af.mil

NATIONAL FATHERHOODINITIATIVE

It takes a man to be a man.

AFRC prepares families for deploymentSenior Airman Amanda Delisle50th Space wing Public Affairs

Your bags are packed, you know your job well, you haveall required immunizations and all the boxes checked off onyour checklist, but are you really ready to deploy?

“There’s a difference between ready to go and ready topart,” said Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Crist, Airman and FamilyReadiness Center readiness NCO.

Before deployment, Airmen need to be ready not onlymedically, but also have their personal lives in order so theycan be mentally prepared and less stressed, Sergeant Cristsaid.

Legal matters are one area that can produce stress.Deploying Airmen may need a general or special power ofattorney or a will.

This is the area many people don’t complete becausethey don’t think they’ll need it, Sergeant Crist said.However, if you expect the unexpected, you’ll be preparedfor anything that may happen while deployed.

“Even if you don’t think you have very much as far asassets, make sure you go to legal and have (a will) drawnup,” she said.

Military personnel flight actions are also part of deploy-ment preparation. Airmen should update their emergencydata card, renew any dependant identification cards thatexpire within 60 days of scheduled return and completeFamily Care Plans.

Pay and allowances are another key pre-deployment area

of importance, Sergeant Crist said. It’s important thatsomeone back home is responsible for the deployedAirman’s bills, belongings and important papers.

“Discuss roles and responsibilities like financial plan-ning, legal matters and if there are things you do on a reg-ular basis, get a calendar and make a plan. Try to have asmuch done as possible so you can enjoy your last days withyou family and friends,” Sergeant Crist said.

Stress and anxiety can be a major source of trouble fordeploying Airmen. Making a plan is the key to alleviatingsome of the worries that trigger stress, said Sergeant Crist.

“The more you plan ahead, the easier it’s going to be foryou and your family,” Sergeant Crist pointed out.

Suggested actions for Airmen are to: contact creditors tolet them know about the deployment, set up allotments foras many things as possible, arrange for vehicle storage ifneeded and contact the insurance company, contact cellularphone company to put phone “on vacation” and contact thepost office to place mail on hold.

In addition to these actions, married Airmen may alsowant to discuss legal matters, finances and responsibilitieswith their spouses.

The AFRC also offers a variety of means to assistAirmen with deployments, from financial planning servic-es to spouse support programs.

Although the deployment checklist serves as a guide forbeing ready to deploy, family and mental readiness are alsocrucial to being fully prepared for deployment—ready togo and ready to part.

photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew McGovern

FORT DIX, N.J. — Staff Sgt. Thomas Doscher mansthe turret in a Humvee armored vehicle during con-tingency skills training here in November. The train-ing teaches convoy operations and other combat-related skills to Airmen who are deploying overseas.

Ready to roll!

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Cold weather warning: Silent killer lurksMaster Sgt. Kimberly Spencer59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE,Texas — Air Force medical officials warnpersonnel to be aware of the dangers thatcan accompany the use of home heatingsystems during cold weather. The greatestdanger comes from carbon monoxide poi-soning.

“CO is a silent killer,” said Lt. Col. (Dr.)Shawn Varney, 59th Medical WingEmergency Department Flight commander.“Instead of delivering life-sustaining oxy-gen to your tissues, you unknowingly sendin a toxic substance that could harm you ifexposed for long periods.”

CO is an odorless, colorless, tastelessgas that, when inhaled, binds to the hemo-globin molecules in your red blood cellsand displaces oxygen. Problems can ariseas a result of improper installation or main-tenance or inadequate ventilation of appli-ances and heaters.

The Wilford Hall EmergencyDepartment and Brooks-City BaseHyperbaric Medicine Division here savedthe life of a civilian with severe carbonmonoxide poisoning in October. The victimwas discovered unconscious in an enclosedarea. Subsequent investigation revealed avery high level of carbon monoxide gas inthe area from which she was rescued.

Depending on the amount of CO gasinhaled, victims will feel fatigue, headache,nausea, vomiting, weakness and confusion.At very high levels, victims will sufferunconsciousness, heart attack, permanentbrain injury and death.

“People suffering from CO toxicity lookand feel like they have the flu,” Dr. Varneywarned. “A big clue to toxicity is when yousay you feel ‘as sick as a dog,’ and then yourealize that your dog is sick too.”

If you suspect carbon monoxide poison-ing, get fresh air immediately. Open doorsand windows, turn off potential combustionappliances and leave the house or enclosedspace.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room.Have your local fire department check itout before anyone goes back into theenclosed space.

CO detectors should be used, but not asa replacement for proper use and mainte-nance of fuel-burning appliances, hospitalofficials said. They also suggest wingmembers research the quality and differentfeatures available in CO detectors on themarket today.

“Every year we hear about carbonmonoxide and, of course, working in anemergency department we see several caseseach winter,” said Col. (Dr.) MichaelaShafer, 959th Surgical OperationsSquadron commander.

“Naïvely, I believed most people made itto the hospital and were cured with highdose oxygen and hyperbaric therapy,” Dr.Shafer said. That was until two years ago.

“I lost my funny, talented and crazy sis-ter and brother-in-law to carbon monoxidepoisoning in their home in Seattle,” Dr.

Shafer said. “My brother-in-law was verysmart and had installed all the fancy gadg-ets in his house except for the one thatcould have saved their lives—carbonmonoxide detectors. I think it was one ofthe most devastating moments in my life tolose someone so senselessly.”

U.S. Air Force illustration

One of the biggest dangers in a home is the heating system's potential to release of car-bon monoxide poisoning. Working CO detectors are as important as smoke alarms. InstallCO detectors in your home, and have your heating systems checked and cleaned regularly.

12 SATELLITE FLYER www.schriever.af.mil

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In advance of the holiday season and its51st season of tracking Santa Claus on hisannual journey around the world, theNorth American Aerospace DefenseCommand at Peterson Air Force Base acti-vated its “NORAD Tracks Santa” Website, www.noradsanta.org, for 2006.

The U.S.-Canadian command’s programbegan in 1955 when an errant phone callwas made to NORAD’s predecessor, theContinental Air Defense CommandOperations Center in Colorado Springs.An advertisement from a Colorado-basedretailer had a special “hotline” for childrenwho wanted to talk to Santa. However, the

number was misprinted. A local childdialed the number, which directed him tothe CADCOC.

Col. Harry Shoup answered the phonethat night and gave the youngster theinformation he requested—the where-abouts of Santa Claus—and thus the tradi-tion of NORAD tracking Santa began.

The program has grown immenselysince it was first presented on the Internetin 1998. Last year, the Web site received912 million hits from 204 countries andterritories.

The NORAD Tracks Santa OperationsCenter, occupied by 550 volunteers onChristmas Eve, answered nearly 55,000phone calls and nearly 98,240 e-mailsfrom children around the world.

The Web site features the history of theprogram, information on how NORADtracks Santa and interactive games.

The Web site will feature a minute-by-minute update on Santa’s travels aroundthe world beginning at 2 a.m. ChristmasEve. Information is available in English,French, German, Italian, Japanese andSpanish.

NORAD to track Santa’s 2006 jaunt

U.S. Air Force illustration

North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base will track Santaonce again this Christmas Eve. The NORAD Tracks Santa Web site, www.noradsanta.org,received more than 900 million hits from 204 countries and territories in 2005.

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13DECEMBER 7, 2006

SATELLITE FLYERwww.schriever.af.mil

SERVICE TO COUNTRY TAKES MANY FORMS.Working at Union Pacific gives you the opportunity to continue serving your country. As America’s largest railroad,UP delivers the raw materials and finished goods that power our nation’s economy.

In 2006, for the second straight year, G.I. Jobs magazine named Union Pacific Railroad the nation’s Number OneMilitary-Friendly Employer. And with good reason. We actively recruit former military personnel because many ofour jobs are an ideal fit with the skills gained in the armed forces.

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1st Lt. Josh Edwards 90th Space Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. — The2006 Capitol Christmas Tree stopped here recently on itsway from Washington State to Washington D.C.

This year’s Capitol Christmas tree, a 65-foot tallPacific Silver Fir, is a gift from the entire state and wasselected by Ted Bechtol, deputy superintendent of CapitolGrounds, from Washington’s Olympic National Forestaccording to the event’s Web site.

The route for the 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree projecttook the tree across Interstate 80 in Wyoming, promptingthe coordinators to arrange that the tree be housed on thebase Monday night.

Teams of servicemembers from Warren AFB took two-hour shifts to guard the tree while it was kept overnight ina large parking lot near the main gate. The volunteers rel-ished the opportunity to be part of an historical event.

“It’s not something everyone gets to do,” said AirmanFirst Class Michael Urquhart, 790th Missile SecurityForces Squadron. “Years from now I can look back andtell my kids I guarded the Capitol Christmas tree.”

The team members transporting the Christmas treealso realize they are part of a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“We’re making history here,” said Anna Brown, theproject coordinator for the Capitol Christmas Tree. “Itmeans the world to us, and this is our one shot.”

Eduardo Olmedo, district ranger for the OlympicNational Forest, agreed. “To see the children come andwatch the tree go by with smiles on their faces and theolder citizens with tears in their eyes ... to see that and bepart of that celebration has really touched me.”

Capitol Christmas Tree visits F.E.Warren

Tech. Sgt. Roger Salinas helps driver Gordy Grove tie down the flap on the back of his truck after Airmen from 90th CivilEngineer Squadron fire department watered the 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree. The tree stopped at F.E. Warren Air ForceBase, Wyo., recently en route to Washington, D.C. Sergeant Salinas is assigned to 90th CES.

photo by 1st Lt. Josh Edwards

14DECEMBER 7, 2006SATELLITE FLYER 15DECEMBER 7, 2006

SATELLITE FLYER

Staff Sgt. Don Branum50th Space Wing Public Affairs

What’s red and green, mint-flavored and aerodynam-ic?

It’s items people had to collect during one of thegames at this year’s Wing Holiday Party. A scavengerhunt was the rowdiest of several lively events that gotpeople into the spirit of the holidays at the Peterson AirForce Base Consolidated Club Friday night.

Contestants—one from each table—had to find anitem and squeeze back into an ever-dwindling number ofchairs. Airmen with the musical-scavenger-hunt spiritvaulted over and sometimes slid into chairs as theystruggled to win $10 gift cards for the others at theirtable.

Door prizes and dancing also made for a spirited andfun evening. Prizes included a game console, ski lift

tickets and gift baskets. Blue Steel, part of the U.S. AirForce Academy band, performed catchy music that gotpeople’s feet on the dance floor.

Col. John Hyten, the 50th Space Wing commander,expressed his thanks for the people who made the partya success. Lt. Col. Don Ridolfi, 50th NetworkOperations Group deputy commander, was master ofceremonies. Second Lt. Andrew Powell, 50th SpaceCommunications Squadron, chaired the holiday partycommittee. In another area of the Consolidated Club,Senior Airman Marcie Porter of 50th SCS took care ofmore than 30 children.

“Many times, organizing a holiday party is a thank-less job,” Colonel Hyten said. “These folks did a greatjob.”

He also reminded the audience of the Airmen whocouldn’t make it out to the party because of deploymentsor shift schedules.

“They’re not sitting here with us tonight; they’re outthere, getting the job done,” he said.

Colonel Hyten thanked Col. Cal Hutto, 50th SW vicecommander, for the job he performed as commanderwhile Colonel Hyten was deployed to Southwest Asia.

“You did a great job while I was gone,” he said. “Youkept the wing going and allowed me to hit the groundrunning.”

Bob Balink, the El Paso County clerk and recorder,was one of Schriever’s local civic leaders who attendedthe party.

“We really appreciate what the military is doing inour community,” Mr. Balink said. “One of the ways weshow that appreciation is with a uniformed military linedown at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“If there’s anything we can do for you in this commu-nity ... just call upon us to do it, because we support you110 percent,” he added.

Wing party evokes holiday spirit

photos by Staff Sgt. Don Branum

Airman 1st Class Mark Robles, 50th Civil Engineer Squadron, and his wife, Liza, enjoy a private moment during a slow dance. Airman Robles helped set up audiovisual equipment before the party.

Airman 1st Class Zully Renon and 50th Space Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. ClarenceMoore get on the floor for the electric slide. Airman Renon is the Schriever Airmen'sCouncil president and is assigned to the 50th Comptroller Squadron here.

The crowd gets rowdy and chaos reigns as scavenger hunt competitors race for items and try to find a seat during the party. Anyone who had the wrong item or couldn't find a seat in time was eliminated. The winner earned $10 gift cards for everyone at his table.

Col. Cal Hutto (left), 50th Space Wing vice commander, determines that a fork cannot countas a comb or brush for the scavenger hunt—much to the chagrin of Lt. Col. DonovanRoutsis, 50th Space Communications Squadron commander, who was eliminated.

Senior Airman James Kohut, 50th Mission Support Squadron, demonstrates his ingenuity bycreating a paper airplane while safely seated. Airman Kohut won the scavenger hunt.

Lt. Col. Don Ridolfi, 50th Network Operations Group deputy commander, determinesthat Colonel Hutto’s drawing of a flashlight does not count as an actual flashlight.

16DECEMBER 7, 2006SATELLITE FLYER www.schriever.af.milSPORTS

4th SOPS wins championship

photos by Skip Grubelnik

Lt. Col. John Shaw, 4th Space Operations Squadron commander, stands beside Schriever's 2006 base intramural basketball champions. They are, clockwise from top left: Shane Patty,Ken Lancaster, Tyler Kimes, Todd Farlee, Kenneth Smith, Quentin Manson, John Jenkins, Allyn Carver, Curtis Tucker, Eric Harris and Dale Harris.

Skip Grubelnik50th Space Wing Public Affairs

The 4th Space Operations Squadron’sintramural basketball team came into theplayoffs as the seventh seed with a 3-5record, but they won the game that mattersmost Monday with a 61-42 upset of thepreviously undefeated Space Innovationand Development Center team.

4th SOPS pulled away in the secondhalf after playing to a tie with SIDC athalftime.

“Playing an undefeated team couldhave been intimidating to others, but themembers of 4th SOPS took it all in strideand played the game they way they knewit should be played,” said John Jenkins, 4thSOPS’ coach.

The championship team included veter-an players and newly assigned members of4th SOPS, Jenkins said. Players knew theirroles and stuck to them, and that was theteam’s key to victory.

“W got a lot of good ball movementand shot selections,” he said.

That’s not to say the game started witha fast pace.

Five minutes into the game, the teamswere still scoreless.

Kenneth Smith of 4th SOPS struck firstwith a two-point layup.

Chris Tucker and Shane Patty eachscored 15 points for 4th SOPS, with 13 ofPatty’s 15 points coming in the secondhalf. Keith Logeman was the top shooterfor SIDC with 12 points.

The victory holds special meaning forthe 4th SOPS team.

“For a Cinderella team to come fromseventh place to beating the top-seededteam was the most exciting championshipof all,” said Ken Lancaster, who played for4th SOPS’ basketball teams in three cham-pionships over five years.

“The thing that made this win extraspecial is that it will be the last time EricHarris will play intramural basketball inthe Air Force,” Jenkins said. “He’s set toretire next year. We played extra hardbecause we wanted him to go out on top.”

SIDC, which was the regular-seasonchampion with a 9-0 record, vowed tocome back and win next year’s champi-onship.

“This is one of the best teams I haveever been associated with as a coach or aplayer,” said SIDC coach Louis Fletcher.“If a team does not quit, they will alwaysbe undefeated, and this team did not quit.”

Curtis Tucker drops the ball into the net for the 4th Space Operations Squadron duringthe intramural basketball championship Monday at the Main Fitness Center. Seventh-seeded 4th SOPS upset the undefeated Space Innovation and Development Center 61-42.

4th SOPSShane Patty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Curtis Tucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Kenneth Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Tyler Kimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Allyn Carver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Eric Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Quentin Manson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

SIDCKeith Logeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Corey Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11James Cates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Matthew Lusson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Darren Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Farley Abdeen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Robert Hopson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

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SATELLITE FLYERwww.schriever.af.mil

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3916 N. AcademyAcademy, south of Austin Bluffs(719) 596-7861

1813 N. Union, #110Union, between Constitution & Palmer Park(719) 634-8350

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