Space Force

By Airman 1st Class Janae Whaley, 9th Security Forces Squadron

My story begins in North Charleston, South Carolina, long before I put on a military uniform. After high school, I attended Coker University for two years, immersing myself in the world of college athletics as a Division 2 basketball player. My time on the court taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance; qualities that would serve me well in the future.

After two years at Coker University, I felt a pull toward something different—a desire to change my surroundings and explore new opportunities. This led me to join the military in October 2023. This decision was fueled by a mix of yearning for adventure and a strategic approach to setting up my future. I wanted to join because I felt like it would be the perfect opportunity for me to set myself up in life. The military, with its structured environment and myriad opportunities, was the change and challenge I was seeking.

I became a security forces Airman, and when I got stationed at Beale Air Force Base, I worked toward a specific goal: joining the Tactical Response Team (TRT). My interest in TRT was sparked by my passion for challenges and a desire to be part of something larger than myself. I admired how the team operated with precision and unity, and I was determined to be a part of that.

Preparation for the TRT selection process was intense and demanding, requiring me to push my limits physically and mentally. I dedicated myself to rigorous training, hitting the gym multiple times a week to ensure I was in peak condition. I knew I had to be consistent and strength train heavily in order to keep up with the males. Each week I would set personal goals to measure my progress and stay motivated. My commitment was unwavering; I knew that consistency and hard work were key to succeeding in such a demanding environment.

When the time came for selection, I felt prepared for the challenge. I approached it with a mindset of resilience and determination, fully aware of the difficulties ahead, but resolute to not give up. There was a physical test portion, a firearm shooting portion, as well as a whole day of completing various tasks and duties without sleep. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. My determination paid off, proving that with the right mindset and preparation, any obstacle can be overcome.

Becoming the first woman to join the Tactical Response Team (TRT) was a deeply empowering experience. It was both humbling and exhilarating to break new ground in a space that had traditionally been dominated by men. I felt a sense of pride in not only achieving a personal goal, but also paving the way for other women to take on challenging roles in the military.

I felt a strong sense of responsibility. I knew that being the first came with expectations to perform at the highest level and to represent other women who might follow in my footsteps. This pushed me to work even harder and to uphold the standards of the team. It was a mix of pride, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excel.

Overall, becoming the first woman on TRT made me realize the importance of perseverance and believing in oneself. It showed me that barriers are meant to be broken and that with the right mindset and preparation, anything is possible. It was a powerful reminder that every step forward not only changes your life, but can also inspire and open doors for others.

HEADQUARTERS, 11TH AIRBORNE DIVISION, JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (Sept. 14, 2024) – Elements of the 11th Airborne Division, and the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces landed on Shemya Island, Alaska, Sept. 12, 2024.

The soldiers were deployed to the island as part of a force projection operation, working with the U.S. Air Force to move soldiers and equipment to the remote location in the North Pacific Ocean.

“As the number of adversarial exercises increases around Alaska and throughout the region, including June’s joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol, the operation to Shemya Island demonstrates the division’s ability to respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or across the globe, with a ready, lethal force within hours,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division.

The division, stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright in Alaska, not only defends the northern- and western-most reaches of the U.S., but also the Arctic, an increasingly competitive space as it becomes more accessible with the accelerating impacts of climate change.

In addition, the 11th Airborne Division is also assigned to U.S. INDOPACIFIC Command, the Department of Defense’s priority theater and an area representing more than 50 percent of the world’s population.

“Testing ourselves with this operation and others like it is critical to our nation’s defense and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Hilbert. “Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations.”

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – Vandenberg Space Force Base has embraced sealed bidding for the Simplified Acquisition of Base Engineering Requirements (SABER) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, marking a significant shift towards transparency and efficiency in government contracting within the United States Space Force. On Aug. 13, 2024, this innovative approach marked the first instance of sealed bidding being utilized in such a manner within the Space Force, underlining the organization’s commitment to embracing new and transparent practices for assured access to space. By choosing sealed bidding, the base aims to streamline its acquisition process while creating a more open and competitive environment for contractors.

“Many hours of research and discussions amongst personnel were held to identify how we could apply the sealed bidding process to a program-level contract,” said Jeffrey Grelck, 30th Contracting Squadron contracting officer. “We also learned how to incorporate electronic processes into a regulation which has not been updated to consider the new digital landscape.”

The contracts awarded through the SABER IDIQ program at Vandenberg aim to accomplish several critical objectives, aligning with Vandenberg’s Spaceport of the Future. These contracts play a role in executing approximately $60M in construction projects around the base over the next five years, ensuring the integrity and operational readiness of essential infrastructure.

“To increase the visibility and promote more transparency with the government contracting process, we decided to livestream the bid opening, allowing for more participation from contractors who may not be from the local area,” said Alyson Kolding, 30th Contracting Squadron contracting officer.

The decision to utilize sealed bidding for the SABER IDIQ contract was motivated by the need for a fair and competitive process. Based on the previous SABER solicitation, it was evident that the time and competition prerequisites for sealed bidding were met, paving the way for this approach at Vandenberg SFB.

“The past solicitation had used the lowest price, technically acceptable method incorporating a technical evaluation of a sample project as a discriminator,” said Grelck. “We found no significant value added by that technical evaluation process for the master IDIQ contracts. Therefore, we determined awarding on price and price-related factors alone would be sufficient.”

As Vandenberg becomes the Spaceport of the Future, the SABER IDIQ contract plays a pivotal role in executing construction efforts critical to the mission’s success by ensuring the base’s facilities and operational systems are up to standard. The contract supports the safety, quality of life, and mission readiness of Guardians and Airmen as well as aligning with Vandenberg’s vision, emphasizing the significance of simplified construction projects in advancing the Space Force’s strategic objectives.

“The SABER is one of the two major construction programs on Vandenberg that are critical to expeditiously executing construction efforts around the base,” said Kolding. “While the SABER is focused on the more simplified construction efforts.”

The decision to conduct the bid opening live in front of contractors and stream it online reflects the commitment to transparency and fairness, which is crucial for ensuring a level playing field. This move not only promotes accountability, but also encourages broader contractor participation.

The adoption of sealed bidding for the SABER IDIQ contract represents a pivotal moment for the Space Force as it strives to uphold the principles of assured access to space. This landmark decision underscores the Space Force’s unwavering commitment to transparency, fairness, and efficiency in government contracting, setting the stage for a new era of procurement practices in the space domain.