Thursday, August 30, 2007

TOP STORY >>Enhancing Wingman culture

By Brig. Gen. (S) Wayne Schatz
314th Airlift Wing Commander

Today is Wingman Day for Team Little Rock. This is a day I ask our Airmen — officers, enlisted and civilians — to take seriously. It can’t be denied that each of us is experiencing a higher level of stress as our Air Force continues to fight the Global War on Terror.

At the same time, we face continued manpower reductions and force shaping while we’re engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan and yet still working to successfully accomplish our mission at The Rock.

Any one of these examples would be considered a stressor, yet you’re facing them all at once and succeeding in your mission.

There’s not a day that goes by that you all don’t rise to the challenges thrown your way. No matter the issues or obstacles, each of you has stood tall and persevered.

It is paramount that your leadership identifies and discusses with you areas where we are seeing stress and work with you on ways to combat those stressors while keeping you healthy.

The resulting process is Wingman Day.

Today is an opportunity for you to sit down with your supervisors and coworkers at the flight level to explore the issues you face everyday that are relevant to you.

We also want to celebrate your accomplishments, emphasis support systems and resources, and remind our Airmen what it means to be good Wingmen.

A comprehensive list of Wingman Day materials is available on the Wingman Day webpage at www.littlerock.af.mil/library/wingmanday/index.asp.

Here you will find products, briefings and resources.

I can not stress enough to you how proud I am to serve by your side every day. I’m always amazed at your dedication to your country and our mission.

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