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To help celebrate The Year of the Air Force Family, the Airman & Family Readiness Center will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. As part of the open house there will be food, games, prizes and representatives from a wide range of base agencies available to answer questions and provide information on a host of valuable resources and services available to support the Air Force family.
“This is the beginning of what’s to come throughout the year to recognize and celebrate our AF family,” said Gayle Brinkley, A&FRC flight chief.
Air Force leadership designated July 2009 to July 2010 as The Year of the Air Force Family in recognition of the support and sacrifice of Air Force families.
“When we talk about the Air Force family, we are speaking of the big ‘F,’ which includes our family members, single Airmen, civilians and our local national co-workers,” Ms. Brinkley said.
Also, Sunday to Nov. 9 has been designated as Air Force Family Week, with a special focus on recognizing and celebrating the many members of the Air Force family, while providing education and awareness on how Air Force programs and community partners support them.
“The true strength of our Air Force is not the platforms we operate or the technologies we employ, it’s our Airmen and their families,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “Our evolving mission brings opportunity to expand and enhance our program for family support.”
Throughout the week and throughout the year, significant emphasis will be placed on the four important areas of concern for Air Force families: affordable and available family housing, safe schools that challenge and prepare children for the future, accessible and quality medical care for Air Force families, and quality child care.
“We will focus our attention on Air Force families – their hardships and needs, what we might do to make Air Force life more compatible with family life and how we can build a greater sense of community across the Air Force,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.
For single Airmen, who make up 40 percent of the force, Air Force leadership has pledged the Air Force will “concentrate on their unique requirements for dormitories and (morale, welfare and recreation) services that offer fulfilling off-duty activities.”
Each of these improvements and initiatives fosters a greater sense of community, adding to the quality of life for Airmen and increasing mission effectiveness – both at home and while deployed, Secretary Donley said.
“We cannot rest comfortably on these accomplishments. We need to assess gaps and look for improved ways to better the lives of our families,” he said.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events around the KMC to help raise awareness of the many programs available to Airmen and their families.
For more information on The Year of the Air Force Family, check out the official Web site at www.af.mil/yoaff/index.asp.
