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Wingman Day at 188th builds resiliency

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Dark clouds and heavy rain couldn't dampen spirits during the 188th Fighter Wing's Wingman Day, held June 1, 2013, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Initially designed to promote the wingman concept and bolster suicide awareness, Wingman Day has since expanded to incorporate resiliency training based on the four pillars of resiliency- mental, spiritual, physical and social. The day's events also included mandatory sexual assault prevention and response training for wing members and were capped off with the inaugural Hawg Jawg 5K run.

Activities for each of the four pillars of resiliency were planned for groups of Airmen to participate en masse. For the mental pillar, Wing Director of Psychological Health Geoff Gibson led Airmen in a stress-reduction exercise and suicide prevention training. For the spiritual pillar, Maj. Shane Pair, a 188th chaplain, wove video clips into a talk about finding one's spiritual foundation and the ability to bounce back from stress. A group of 188th first sergeants brought in fitness instructors to lead a fast-paced, 10-minute workout to fulfill the physical pillar. Finally, the 188th Equal Opportunity Office hosted a dance team which led Airmen in different line dances to support the social pillar.

"Wingman Day is where we focus on resiliency based on the four pillars," said Michelle Pike, Airman and Family Readiness Program manager. "We broke the wing into four groups and had our members rotate through each of our four sessions. We tried to make it interactive, so it was better than a slide presentation or having someone lecture."
Even though more than two inches of rain fell in the morning, spirits were high as the skies cleared in time for the 5K.

"I'm really surprised about the turnout for the run," said Senior Master Sgt. Sam Bond, 188th sustainment services superintendent. "We had more than 250 people sign up and another 50 or 60 run along just to participate. It's been a really good, really inspiring day."
The day's events helped build camaraderie across the base as Airmen prepared for the run and encouraged community support for 188th families.

"I've heard a lot of talk about people training for the run," said Senior Master Sgt. Bond. "We've got some that are pretty competitive and they want to win. As far as the help involved behind the scenes, so many people have come together and stepped up to the plate. They really did a good job for us."

Planning is already in the works for next year's Wingman Day activities.

"There's certainly room for improvement," said Pike. "We're taking suggestions as to how our Airmen feel we can make it more meaningful for them. We want Wingman Day to be something we can all look forward to, rather than just another day of mandatory training."

Planning for the Hawg Jawg took place separately from the rest of the Wingman Day events, but enthusiasm is high for putting on another 5K run next year, and committee members are looking to accommodate the growth that this year's successful run is sure to bring.

"We have ideas to incorporate into next year's run," said committee chair Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Mott. "We can change up things that didn't work so well. Not much, but little things here and there that we think will improve it. Next year we expect more runners, and a lot more family members and friends. Even if we have 500 runners, I think we can handle it."

Two special groups were entered in the race this year. Many Airmen were running in support of Nikki Middleton and Skyler Stell, two 188th family members coping with serious illnesses.

"We're out today supporting their fight," said Master Sgt. Johnny Adams, a machine shop supervisor in 188th Maintenance Group, whose running companion was a 4-foot tall stuffed bear. "The bear is for Team Nikki. A lot of us are walking wearing t-shirts in support of them going and being treated for cancer. I've got kids of my own, and I can't even imagine what those families are going through. This was the least we could do."

Wingman Day at 188th builds resiliency

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Dark clouds and heavy rain couldn't dampen spirits during the 188th Fighter Wing's Wingman Day, held June 1, 2013, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Initially designed to promote the wingman concept and bolster suicide awareness, Wingman Day has since expanded to incorporate resiliency training based on the four pillars of resiliency- mental, spiritual, physical and social. The day's events also included mandatory sexual assault prevention and response training for wing members and were capped off with the inaugural Hawg Jawg 5K run.

Activities for each of the four pillars of resiliency were planned for groups of Airmen to participate en masse. For the mental pillar, Wing Director of Psychological Health Geoff Gibson led Airmen in a stress-reduction exercise and suicide prevention training. For the spiritual pillar, Maj. Shane Pair, a 188th chaplain, wove video clips into a talk about finding one's spiritual foundation and the ability to bounce back from stress. A group of 188th first sergeants brought in fitness instructors to lead a fast-paced, 10-minute workout to fulfill the physical pillar. Finally, the 188th Equal Opportunity Office hosted a dance team which led Airmen in different line dances to support the social pillar.

"Wingman Day is where we focus on resiliency based on the four pillars," said Michelle Pike, Airman and Family Readiness Program manager. "We broke the wing into four groups and had our members rotate through each of our four sessions. We tried to make it interactive, so it was better than a slide presentation or having someone lecture."
Even though more than two inches of rain fell in the morning, spirits were high as the skies cleared in time for the 5K.

"I'm really surprised about the turnout for the run," said Senior Master Sgt. Sam Bond, 188th sustainment services superintendent. "We had more than 250 people sign up and another 50 or 60 run along just to participate. It's been a really good, really inspiring day."
The day's events helped build camaraderie across the base as Airmen prepared for the run and encouraged community support for 188th families.

"I've heard a lot of talk about people training for the run," said Senior Master Sgt. Bond. "We've got some that are pretty competitive and they want to win. As far as the help involved behind the scenes, so many people have come together and stepped up to the plate. They really did a good job for us."

Planning is already in the works for next year's Wingman Day activities.

"There's certainly room for improvement," said Pike. "We're taking suggestions as to how our Airmen feel we can make it more meaningful for them. We want Wingman Day to be something we can all look forward to, rather than just another day of mandatory training."

Planning for the Hawg Jawg took place separately from the rest of the Wingman Day events, but enthusiasm is high for putting on another 5K run next year, and committee members are looking to accommodate the growth that this year's successful run is sure to bring.

"We have ideas to incorporate into next year's run," said committee chair Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Mott. "We can change up things that didn't work so well. Not much, but little things here and there that we think will improve it. Next year we expect more runners, and a lot more family members and friends. Even if we have 500 runners, I think we can handle it."

Two special groups were entered in the race this year. Many Airmen were running in support of Nikki Middleton and Skyler Stell, two 188th family members coping with serious illnesses.

"We're out today supporting their fight," said Master Sgt. Johnny Adams, a machine shop supervisor in 188th Maintenance Group, whose running companion was a 4-foot tall stuffed bear. "The bear is for Team Nikki. A lot of us are walking wearing t-shirts in support of them going and being treated for cancer. I've got kids of my own, and I can't even imagine what those families are going through. This was the least we could do."