AUGUST 23, 2024 – Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna, toured Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 16, to see what Guardians experience as the newest detachment at a joint center of excellence for students in the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance career fields.
The base tour included visits to the intelligence training squadrons and Guardian development flight dorms, a Guardian all-call and concluded with a 9S100 briefing. It highlighted the integral parts that these facilities play in supporting the Department of Defense’s greater mission and developing joint warfighters.
To begin, Bentivegna sat down with 17th Training Wing leadership during a mission brief at the Norma Brown building, where he learned the long history of Goodfellow AFB and discussed daily training operations.
Shortly after, Bentivegna toured the 533rd Training Squadron Detachment 1, where he saw how Guardians had started establishing themselves and developing their own identity in a joint training environment. Det. 1 activated on Nov. 25, 2021. Since then, the detachment has worked to establish inaugural courses in support of Space Training and Readiness Command’s training initiatives and plans to continue to be pioneers for Space Force ISR training.
During the tour, he posed a critical question: ‘How do we integrate to build joint warfighters?’ He followed up with another important query: ‘How do you develop joint leaders?’ His answer was clear and direct: ‘First and foremost, know your job. Understand what it means to be a Guardian.’
Bentivegna held an all-call for the Guardians on base to gather and discuss their role in the era of Great Power Competition and how crucial it is that the Space Force builds its own culture and highlights its purpose as a fighting force to distinguish it from its sister services.
Bentivegna emphasized the high demand for Guardians on teams but made it clear that those who wear the uniform must be fully committed and understand its significance. He stressed, “To earn a spot on a team, you must be committed and understand what it means to wear this uniform. You must embody the values and principles that define a Guardian.”
At the end of the tour, Bentivegna was briefed on the 9S100 Special Instruments Training. He learned how these engineering specialists train at Goodfellow before deploying to austere locations, where they are expected to perform their duties independently functioning with the responsibilities of multiple Air Force Specialty Codes to accomplish the mission. He discussed with course instructors about the structural development of the course and how it could be applied in training for Guardians.
“Our Goodfellow Guardians absolutely loved the visit and ability to connect with Chief Bentivegna,” expressed Master Sgt. Shaun Bryant, 533rd TRS Det. 1 senior enlisted leader. “Any time we can have the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force visit us, it fosters connection with our Guardians and Team Goodfellow as they lead the service’s intelligence initial skills training and develop our Guardians for the service and joint force.”
By Airman 1st Class Brian Lummus
17th Training Wing Public Affairs