Spouses’ tour encourages comradery

John Walters, 436th Force Support Squadron fitness program manager, briefs a group of Team Dover spouses on the fitness center’s services and availabilities during a spouses’ tour Sept. 7, 2016, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Walters provided information on fitness class offerings, such as spin classes and Zumba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Spouses’ tour encourages comradery

Christin Michaud, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Public Affairs, gives a group of Team Dover spouses a tour of AFMAO’s uniform room during a spouses’ tour Sept. 7, 2016, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. AFMAO's mission and privilege is to fulfill the nation's sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen and care, service and support to their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Spouses’ tour encourages comradery

John Walters, 436th Force Support Squadron fitness program manager, briefs a group of Team Dover spouses on the Fitness Center’s services and availabilities during a spouses’ tour Sept. 7, 2016, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. As military dependents, these spouses have full access to the Fitness Center and all of its services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Spouses’ tour encourages comaraderie

Published Sept. 14, 2016
By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- To gain a better understanding of services and facilities, 16 Team Dover spouses toured various base agencies Sept. 7, 2016, at Dover AFB.

Col. Ethan Griffin, 436th Airlift Wing commander, opened up the tour by welcoming the spouses.

“This is your Dover, this is your wing, this is your installation, these are your families and your Airmen,” said Griffin. “We really want to make this an opportunity for you to feel welcomed and know what services, facilities and programs are offered here at Dover.”

The spouses toured several services and facilities across the base, to include: the USO, Airman’s Attic, Landings Club, Outdoor Recreation, Arts and Crafts Center, Fitness Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Youth Center, Dining Facility, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations and Fisher House.

“For me, the most important part was getting to see many of the resources that are available to service members and spouses here at Dover,” said Rob Legander, husband of Col. Doug Hall, 436th Operations Group commander. “We can only utilize them if we know about them.”

This was the first spouses’ tour offered on Dover AFB in recent history. Additional tours are expected to be organized and offered on a regular basis.

“I chose the tour locations because they show not necessarily the operations of the base, but the services available to all Airmen and their families,” said Dawne Nickerson-Banez, 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs chief of community relations. “This made them aware of the key players and facilities.”

These spouses, along with their newly gained knowledge will now be able to share their experiences and knowledge with their spouses and families.

“Not only did it create camaraderie amongst them,” said Nickerson-Banez. “But it also gave them the knowledge of the services and facilities available to them at Dover AFB.”

Yes, the tour gave the spouses a look at services and facilities, but it also gave them a look at one of the Air Force’s most somber missions.

“While I thought that each part of the tour was helpful, it was certainly our tour of AFMAO that stuck out to me the most,” said Legander. “I know that all of Team Dover feels the significance of their no-fail mission, but it is also important for spouses to understand it as well. Perhaps because you experience the respect and care given to the fallen, and the compassion provided their families. It sort of increases your sense of pride for our base knowing that our Airmen do this every day, in addition to performing the mission.”