Spouses, agencies help Airmen, families during deployments

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  With more than 800 Airmen currently deployed, McChord support agencies are making sure family members of deployed Airmen are being cared for while their loved ones are away. 

Part of that support network starts with the all-volunteer Phoenix Spouse program within each unit. While the nature of each spouses' involvement will vary by unit, a group of Phoenix Spouses and wing leadership recently generated a list of best practices that aid in helping families either new to the base or those with deployed members, said Laila Christensen, a community readiness consultant with the Airman and Family Readiness Center who oversees the Phoenix Spouse training program. 

The list included things such as making monthly spouse calls to check in with families, composing a monthly newsletter for families with deployed members, providing meals for families with newborns or medical issues and coordinating with the United Service Organization for deployment support packages. 

"We're seeing a great commitment and lots of enthusiasm (by Phoenix Spouses) to the welfare of the unit," Christensen said of the trend she sees while overseeing the training. "We see interaction between leadership and unit spouses. Each knows that they are supported by each other." 

The eight-hour standardized core training for the program is presented by Airman and Family Readiness Centers across the command. Training focuses on resources available, building peer to peer relationships, providing support during deployments and strategies for dealing with stress. There is also training devoted to suicide awareness. 

The base has nearly 80 Phoenix Spouses working to maintain an open dialogue with their respective unit's deployed Airmen. 

The Chapel Support Center's outreach program is also contributing to reaching families new to the base and those with deployed family Airmen. The themed quarterly deployed spouses dinner events draw positive feedback, said Chaplain (Capt.) Brian McCormack, 62nd Airlift Wing. 

"It's neat because everybody gets involved in the event," Chaplain McCormack said. "Despite the fact that our people are busy, they love to support our families." 

Organizations such as the McChord Clubs and Community Center, the Top 3, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, Family Advocacy and commanders and first sergeants have all contributed to making deployed spouses dinners an enthusiastic forum where families feel welcome and find important support information, Chaplain McCormack said. 

The presence of leadership at the events is also paramount, he said. 

"Taking care of Airmen and their families is a top priority of Team McChord," said Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, 62nd Airlift Wing Commander. "Providing outstanding resources and support to our people -- before, during and after deployment -- is directly tied to readiness and is key to delivering on our promise and obligation to provide combat airlift on behalf of the nation."