An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Previous Stories

YARS Airmen focus on team building, morale during Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Valerie Smock
  • 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio --  Citizen Airmen from the 910th Airlift Wing here, participated in Wingman Day, May 2, during the Unit Training Assembly. Wingman Day is an annual Air Force Reserve Command requirement.

"The concept of Wingman Day is taking care of each other and ourselves," said Lt. Gen. James Jackson, Air Force Reserve commander.

The idea behind Wingman Day is to create connections, improve morale and create a sense of community.

"Wingman Day 2014 is all about finding the good," said Col. Patrick Slattery, 910th Airlift Wing vice commander. "We, as airmen, need to help each other be resilient wingmen. We can do that by getting into the right mindset and focusing on the positive versus the negative attitude."

Mandatory resiliency events are held during the first half of the day; however, the afternoon is more flexible. Each wing can design particular events for team building. One of the wing-wide events was a 5k fun run.

"This is my second year doing the fun run," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Woodall, an Aerospace Propulsion technician assigned to the 910th Maintenance Squadron. "It was a lot of fun last year. This is a wonderful team building event that I wish more people would take advantage of because it is a fun opportunity."

Lt. Jeff Barney, the fuels operations and distribution officer in charge assigned to the 910th Logistics Readiness Squadron, took the fun one step further and invited his son, Ian, to join him.

"Being a wingman is also being a good family member," said Barney. "It's being all inclusive and I want to be a supportive dad."

Barney said his son was having trouble at school and wanted to help correct his actions. He said one way to do that is by spending time with him.

"When we spend time together it helps," said Barney. "I think it's the same Wingman Day theory."

That theory of being there for each other goes far beyond the family outside of the military. Being a good wingman also means helping those at home and being there for the Airmen at YARS.

"It's all about teamwork and communication," said Chief Master Sgt. Steven Larwood, 910th Airlift Wing command chief. "It is our culture to take care of each other 24-7-365."
Previous Story
Next Story