AMC command chief praises Phoenix Spouse program

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Air Mobility Command officials got an up close and personal look at McChord's flourishing Phoenix Spouse program Dec. 10 as base leadership and program officials briefed Chief Master Sgt. Joe Barron, AMC command chief, on the success of the program here.

Col. Michael Hornitschek, 62nd Airlift Wing vice commander, along with his wife, Polly, joined Airman and Family Readiness Center officials and a host of squadron commanders and first sergeants to provide the briefing to the visiting chief during a quarterly Phoenix Spouse advisory meeting.

"It's an extremely vital program and our Airmen couldn't do their jobs without it," Chief Barron said. "It not only has a direct effect on their readiness at work, but also at home. We have a great debt of appreciation to the Phoenix Spouses and what they do."

McChord has nearly 85 active volunteer Phoenix Spouses that work with squadron commanders and first sergeants to help Airmen and their families with whatever issues they may face throughout deployments or temporary duty assignments.

"The Phoenix Spouses are an important bridge between leadership and an Airman's family," said Chief Barron, adding that he was very impressed with the support leadership here has provided for the program.

And McChord officials are working with the Air Force and other support agencies to add another level of support for Phoenix Spouses by providing a few hours of free childcare a month for them to utilize while they're volunteering, said Cheryl Vollmer, director of the AFRC.

Chief Barron praised all the efforts and collaboration and urged everyone to continue to work to publicize the Phoenix Spouse program and what it offers.

"Our biggest challenge is getting that information out there and getting our Airmen to share it with their families," he said.

The chief also emphasized how much officials at the top levels of leadership value the program.

"It's not a program that is going to go away," Chief Barron said.

Also during his visit, Chief Barron had breakfast with Airmen Wednesday morning at the Olympic Dining Facility and spoke to them about AMC's new Focus Areas.

"The biggest thing I want to stress is how important each Airman is to the mission," he said.

The Focus Areas are about aligning and better defining AMC's priorities with those of the Air Force, he said. That can mean Airmen providing for the mission by staying at home station or deploying, or responding to a hurricane or natural disaster, Chief Barron said.

"The mission goes beyond just moving cargo," he said. "It's about being there when they need us and responding to the nation's call."