Recognizing Wingmen Published Nov. 5, 2007 By Col. Eric Pohland 96th Air Base Wing Commander EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Today marks Wingman Day 2007. During the past year, the Air Force, our command and Team Eglin worked on a common wingman platform and a strong understanding of what it means to be a good Wingman. At its core the Wingman concept emphasizes face-to-face team building, communication and interaction. Wingmen strengthen the morale and welfare of a unit, solidify relationships between co-workers and revitalize our dedication to be there for each other. Today, wingmen take time to rededicate themselves to core concepts we must practice every day. This review, which is happening worldwide throughout our Air Force today, is something we need as part of our routine operations. Because often the toughest part is acting when we should; we need everyone being comfortable putting these principles into practice. Sometimes, that can be the toughest part of the equation. As a commander, I see evidence that we still have Airmen who are reaching out. For them, I hope this Wingman Day will let them recognize that they do have a fellow Wingman to use as a sounding board, and to understand their concerns, because Wingmen are putting these principles into practice. Their Wingman can talk to them very frankly, can direct them to friends and coworkers who might have faced similar situations and can go with them to helping agencies. We recognize that, since the Gulf War, we have been in an extended conflict. Our Airmen are faced with a much more difficult deployment schedule than their predecessors. I have personally witnessed our younger Airmen teaming with their Army counterparts and encountering deadly enemy hostilities for the first time in their career. While many in the military associate and portray a macho mindset, that experience is tough mentally. Sometimes people shut down and become so engrossed in what has occurred that they are no longer effective at their job or their mission. We recognize these are stressful times; we need to commit ourselves to be mentally and physically prepared to help each other. Then if we hit a bump in the road, that commitment and Wingman support gets us over the hump. There are rewards for being a good Wingman. Some of the rewards can be intangible, but one of the immediate rewards is internally knowing that you have done something good for your co-worker and friend. You know you took action that could have been a life-changing action for that person. When Wingmen reach out and make a difference, the person helped acknowledges it and passes a sincere thank you for being by his side in a tough time. The Air Force also reaps the benefits in a major way because we have a fellow warrior back on track and able to continue to contribute to the Air Force in whatever job he or she performs. You as a coworker get to benefit from that because now your team is firing on all cylinders and you're not having to carry the load because someone had let down. I want people to take today to reinforce their understanding of Wingmen, to dialog closely with each other in small teams and strengthen their understanding of how to help in specific circumstances. Wingman Day is not a one-day philosophy. It is a philosophy that needs to be deeply rooted in who we are as teammates and Air Force comrades. We face the tough fight together, and we are strongest together.