McChord Field focused on the Airman for Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By David Poe
  • Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  "Who would've thought we would be sitting here today," said Mr. Cote, a character playing a role of an ex-Airman who had attempted suicide five years earlier.

"I know," said Master Sgt. Ward. "Good thing we were able to bounce back and become the people we are today."

Bouncing back and taking care of your Wingman were the themes as the growth of Comprehensive Airman Fitness at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Most Airmen were able to put down the work of the day and focus on themselves, each other and the value of resiliency during Wingman Day, Dec. 2.

Physical training uniforms were the uniform of the day as Airmen from across McChord Field filled Hangar 4 for the morning event which Col. Valerie Hasberry, 627th Air Base Group commander and deputy commander for JBLM garrison command, said was critical in that anybody can make a real difference for someone truly in need.

"At some point we all need someone or someone needs us," Hasberry said. "Don't be turned off to the catch phrase 'wingman' because these are tools that we need. In today's world of social media, where people can have hundreds of 'friends,' sometimes it can still be tough to make that one true connection that's so important."

Dry Powerpoint training was replaced by productions by and for McChord Airmen dealing with adverse scenarios such as multiple deployments, financial and relationship problems, medication dependency and others. Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander, was asked to speak and said Wingman Day wasn't just for a certain subset of McChord's ranks, but every one of them, which included the families at home who support them every day.

"It's important for us to come together and occasionally focus on ourselves," he said, "not as civilians, enlisted, or officers, not as crew chiefs, pilots or lawyers, but as Airmen: Capital 'A' Airmen."

He said the ability to support one another, or in this case being a "good wingman," is a vital part of team successes at McChord.

"It's fundamental to who we are," he said. "It's in our Airman's Creed: Wingmen, leaders, warriors, and we'll never leave an Airman behind. It's that part why we're here today; today's Wingman Day is about resiliency. The ability to take care of stressors not only for yourself, but for those around you. Your friends, your co-workers, your dorm mates, or even your brother, your sister or your wife. Everyone is going to have them at some point so if we don't take the time to come together and teach skills, then we (as leaders) have failed you."

Following the morning session, Airmen returned to their shops to further practice good resiliency skills through team building and find solutions within their workplaces. They later gathered again for a run to signify their solidarity in the purpose of Wingman Day. Senior Master Sgt. Michael Gloss, an Airman from 62nd Maintenance Group who helped produce Dec. 2's Wingman Day, said he has no doubt it was worth every bit of the effort it took to put it on.

"To stand back and look your coworker in the eyes and try to understand has a lot of value," he said. "To know that when you have challenges, you're not alone, you can recognize issues and where to go for help."

For more information on Comprehensive Airman Fitness as part of Air Mobility Command, visit http://www.amc.af.mil/caf.