Strengthening our Wingman Climate
By Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander
/ Published February 22, 2007
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- If you take a look around, it is evident Team Fairchild is strengthening our Wingman Climate. This is evidenced by a variety of happenings across the base. Two examples are the Phoenix Spouse program and the Redeployment, Reunion and Reintegration process. These efforts are driven by one of our wing's critical objectives: Strengthening our Wingman Climate.
Phoenix Spouse
It is important to remember the Wingman Climate extends beyond those of us who wear the Air Force uniform - it also embraces our families.
The Phoenix Spouse program is an AMC-specific program in which volunteer spouses communicate and advocate the squadron's Airmen and families' needs directly to leadership. Additionally, Phoenix Spouses serve as a peer-to-peer communication network within the units.
Twenty-one new Phoenix Spouses recently graduated from an extensive training program at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Everyone is a volunteer, selected by a squadron commander, who will commit one year to the squadron.
Phoenix Spouses provide help ranging from guiding a new Air Force husband or wife through a confusing Leave-and-Earnings Statement to providing support to a 20-year veteran facing a spouse's second deployment in a year. The spouses also provide assistance to our single Airmen, another crucial role.
I would like to thank this group of individuals as they volunteer their service. They are already making an impact and will continue to be an invaluable asset to both our Airmen and their families.
Redeployment, Reunion and Reintegration
The AEF Cell recently launched another initiative aimed at strengthening the Wingman Climate. Redeployment, Reunion and Reintegration, or R3, tailors reintegration to the individual as they are adjusting to life back home following a deployment.
Through "Whole Person" quality checks conducted by an Airman's supervisor before and after they deploy, leaders engage Airmen during the R3 process and ensure they and their families receive the proper attention.
Our Integrated Delivery System, is made up of several agencies like the Airman & Family Readiness Center, life skills and the chapel, which helps Airmen successfully navigate the course of reintegration. During the 30-60 day window following the member's redeployment, the IDS will address any issues the members or their families encounter while reintegrating into life in the community.
In the near future, we will provide our returning Airmen a reintegration packet, including both Air Force and wing level generated information, easy-reference phone numbers, and a modified reconstitution checklist.
Through this process, service members' families, supervisors and commanders will be better prepared to serve as informed Wingmen as they support their Airmen.
These are just two examples of recent efforts the wing has made to strengthen our Wingman Climate. Don't just take it from me--contact your Phoenix Spouse today!
Wingman Climate: Providing Mutual Support