Eglin salutes the Year of the Air Force Family

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Supervisors, co-workers and friends come and go, but family is forever.

In the coming months, Eglin will focus on the meaning, needs and strengths of the Air Force family during what's being called service wide, Year of the Air Force Family. YoAFF began in July and lasts to July 2010. At this time, base advocacy organizations promote events and programs supporting specific themes of the program.

In addition to Airmen, YoAAF will focus on extended family members and civilians," said Barbara Turney, director for Eglin Airmen Family and Readiness Center. "The goal is to have ongoing programs and events to July 2010."

In addition to October focus group meetings, Eglin will sponsor an Air Force family forum, the kick-off event for Week of the Air Force Family Nov. 2-6. During this week, base help and service organizations will come together to inform and educate Team Eglin's family on their programs. 

In April, a Caring for People Forum was held with over 200 Air Force professionals attending. What developed was a plan endorsed and encouraged by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force to address the best way to help families of deployed members, Guard and Reserve, single Airmen and families with special needs.

In the next months, Eglin's help organizations will showcase programs and events focused on what the Secretary of Chief of Staff of the Air Force refer to as the 'Four Pillars of Excellence:' health and wellness; Airman and family support; education, development and employment and Airman and family housing.

Eglin's initiative began with a focus group meeting targeting single Airmen, key spouses, command chiefs and first sergeants. Special guest, Horace Larry, Senior Executive Service member, Deputy Director of Air Force Services briefed Eglin as well as Hurlburt Field on the Air Force's vision for YoAFF.

"There is nothing like going eyeball to eyeball and getting firsthand feedback as we team up and continue to assess and build tomorrow's programs and services," said Mr. Larry. "The info is out we're doing a pretty good job on what we need to provide, but we really need to listen to them (Airmen)and see where they are trying to get to."

Supporting this initiative, the base plans to host a town hall meeting Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. at the Eglin conference center. 

"We need to hear from people, see where the gaps are and how we can do better," said Lisa Splinter, Eglin project officer YoAFF. "For instance we have new fitness elements and housing; we need to know how the Airmen feel about these types of things."

Other programs scheduled throughout the year include developing libraries for children of deployed members and those with special needs, family fitness activities, free sports classes and recreation events. Military spouse virtual assistant training and home-based career and telework job development programs will be offered in October and January. Art, photo and essay contests are also ideas listed on the agenda.

"Recognition months will play a big part," Ms. Turney said. "For example, outdoor recreation offers several family oriented program throughout the year, but in honor of the YoAFF will sponsor mini outdoor tournaments during Great Outdoors Week next June. "

"There may be some areas we need to pay more attention," said Ms. Splinter. "That's why we're really concentrating on the forums and what we need to do to improve.

Eglin supports Airmen and their families through a wide range of programs, facilities and morale-enhancing activities to maintain their quality of life, health, and well-being. To meet their promise to Airmen and their families, they are taking the time this YoAFF year to broaden their scope of quality of Life beyond the traditional programs and reaching toward a more encompassing approach through quality of service.