LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Team Lackland kicks off Air Force Family Week Nov. 2 with an official visit from Col. Sandra Adams, Air Force Services Agency commander.
Air Force Family Week, Nov. 1 - 7, recognizes and celebrates the Air Force Family while providing education and awareness about base and community support programs.
The week is part of the Year of the Air Force Family, a year-long focus on Air Force programs highlighting the importance of, and commitment to, the entire Air Force family - all Airmen, their families, Air Force civilians and retirees. Officials hope the YoAFF will help people reach their personal and professional goals, enhance mission accomplishment and maintain a wartime operations tempo.
"We will devote this year to identifying what we are doing right and what we need to do better to support the entire Air Force family, and to rekindle the sense of community that has been our tradition for so many generations," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said.
Lackland is one of only two Air Education and Training Command bases chosen for an installation visit by Air Force officials. Col. Adams will address a series of target audiences participating in discussion groups throughout the day.
The group discussions will focus on quality of life issues such as health and wellness; Airman and family support; education, development and employment; and Airman and family housing.
"We've been looking at what we have to offer, and all the good (services and programs) available to the entire Air Force family at Lackland," said Deb Willey, Airman and Family Services Flight chief. "We're (also) looking at some things we could do a little bit better."
Ms. Willey said feedback from the discussion groups will help Lackland's YoAFF committee plan future activities and events.
Information gathered will also be shared with other bases to foster partnerships on the initiative.
The discussion groups have already been selected and include wing leadership, spouses, officers, military training instructors, special needs families, junior enlisted Airmen, Airmen with multiple deployments, and teens.
Each group will have 12 to 20 participants.
"The discussion groups are going to help us understand some of the concerns," Ms. Willey said, adding that there may be some issues Airmen would like to see handled differently.
"(The feedback) will help guide us in some areas of our planning from January through July 2010," she said.