Wingman concept showcased at Dover AFB

Published Feb. 28, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jacob Morgan
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Being a wingman is a concept all Airmen should be familiar with. One of the traits that defines a good wingman is resiliency, which was showcased in this years Wingman Day here Feb. 25.

Resiliency is the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. A resilient person uses the total-person idea of physical, mental and spiritual fitness to overcome changing demands, according to the Wingman Day Guide.

"Wingman Day is all about camaraderie," said Master Sgt. Michele Gaul, 436th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of operations and support.

Wingman Day is an Air Force-wide program, which every squadron participates in. Across the base, Team Dover members used a variety of team building exercises to emphasize the importance of resiliency, and the role it plays in today's Air Force.

Each squadrons' day started with a briefing from their commander, and was followed by a slideshow on the meaning of resiliency and suicide prevention. Most squadrons split into smaller groups and discussed the wingman concept at a more personal level.

In the afternoon, some squadrons held team-building exercises that included rock climbing, bowling and dodge ball.

Security Forces members held a combination of events in the afternoon ranging from serious to informative to fun and challenging, said Sergeant Gaul. Learning about resiliency and helping one another is what 436 SFS's activities were focused towards.

More than 20 members from 436 SFS participated in a community traffic safety program taught by Michael Love, University of Delaware cooperative extension.

The different events in the traffic safety program included a football throw, go-kart race track, and a tricycle track. Goggles designed to simulate impaired vision equal to some blood alcohol content were provided. The goggles ranged from .07 BAC to fatal BAC levels. Participants in these events first tried them without goggles, and then with goggles, to see the difference in performance.

"These events have really helped our guys meet, and become friends with people they have never worked with before," said Sergeant Gaul.

Meeting new wingman while learning about difficult situations and how to prevent them are intended outcomes of Wingman Day.

Security Forces members came together after the team-building events to have a chili cook-off and receive final words of encouragement from their commander.

Lt. Col. James Zirkel, 436 SF commander, said "today was an awesome day because it gave leadership a chance to connect with our Airmen away from the work environment."