Feature Search

Family, wingman day brings 182nd Airlift Wing together

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgts. Lealan Buehrer & Mathew Harris
  • 182nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PEORIA, Ill. --  Friends and family of the 182nd Airlift Wing spent an afternoon with their Airmen during a wingman and family day held here Sept. 12, 2015.

"Today we are having a wingman day and we have invited all of our families - brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, mom and dad - to come out and see what we're all about here," said Kim Hawcroft-Crouch, the 182nd's Airman and Family Readiness Center program manager. "It builds a resiliency for our families, and that's what it's all about. It's a resiliency day."

The event hosted activities such as face painting, balloon animals and a popcorn stand, as well as static aircraft displays.  Also featured were demonstrations by the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, an exhibit by the 182nd Security Forces Squadron and performances by the 566th Air Force Band.

During the festivities, family members also had a chance to learn about resources from organizations including the Red Cross, Tricare and the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"Families are definitely our backbone," said 1st Lt. Maria Cochran, chairperson of the 182nd's Company Grade Officer Council. "So I think it was really good to have the representatives here to talk to families."

In addition, Airmen took part in wingman training, covering topics such as alcohol and substance abuse, relationships, finances and suicide intervention.

The day was hosted by the wing's Airman and Family Readiness Center, Company Grade Officer Council and Force Support Squadron.