Deployed troops, families thrive with your support

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  For those of us not already marking off each calendar day until our deployed Airmen return home, the Liberty Wing is almost halfway through our current Air and Space Expeditionary Force cycle. With over 800 of our co-workers, spouses, friends and parents deployed in support of AEF 3/4, there's a noticeable absence in our offices, on the flightline and at our dinner tables. With November already here and the holiday season kicking off with Thanksgiving preparations and plans, I know the upcoming two months will be tough on many of us who have friends and family members deployed.

Just as we prepare care packages, send holiday greetings and mail Christmas gifts to our deployed troops, we also support our families who are on their own during the holidays. If you're new to the Air Force, or this is your first time experiencing the holiday season without your military member, I hope you know there is a cornucopia of resources, support programs and events designed to help ease the separation during the next few months.

First of all, I enjoyed meeting many of our Liberty Wing spouses and children two weeks ago at our monthly deployed family members' dinner, hosted by RAF Lakenheath's Chiefs Group. Our deployed family member dinner is offered the third Thursday of every month for families of deployed military members, and sponsored by different groups within the Combined Liberty Councils. The next dinner is Nov. 16, hosted by the Officers and Civilians Spouse Club. I look forward to sharing a meal with many more of you at the Knight's Table dining facility, 5 - 6 p.m.

Next, Project Care offers all of us a chance to not only support Airmen downrange, but also programs to connect families with their loved ones and assist in day-to-day issues that may arise while their family member is deployed. Project Care programs provide families with many resources, like Army and Air Force Exchange Service and 48th Services Squadron coupons, car care oil change vouchers, morale call pin numbers to call love ones down range and childcare assistance, to name a few. Starting this month, the Early Development Intervention Service, Life Skills and Family Advocacy have formed a partnership to offer a weekly educational and support group designed to help parents and relatives of our deployed members with parenting issues and/or questions. The group will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Pediatric clinic.

Also, the "Give Parents a Break" program will provide five hours of free daycare Nov. 18 for spouses of deployed Airmen to get some holiday shopping done or take an afternoon for themselves without the kids. In addition, the Airman and Family Readiness Center is offering a Movie- Maker class Nov. 4, 10 - 11 a.m., helping preserve family moments captured on film or camera to share with deployed loves ones for years to come.

Finally, our unit commanders, first sergeants and key spouses are here to help out with any situation that may arise while a member of their unit is deployed. From working base access issues for family care plan providers and assisting with emergency medical notification, to providing information about financial assistance and coordinating with helping agencies, our Liberty leadership is trained and dedicated to supporting families of deployed Airmen. If you don't know your first sergeant already, make it a point to seek him or her out, and introduce yourself. If you haven't met your unit's key spouse, give your orderly room a call and get a name and number. Also, the more involved you are with unit, wing and community events, the larger your support structure grows. Your unit commander, first shirt and key spouse can ensure you receive information about upcoming events, programs and opportunities to assist with separation, crisis, deployment, and even just day-to-day living challenges. Take advantage of these resources.

Let me close this week's article by saying thanks to all family members for your dedication and sacrifice to our nation. Like your deployed family member, you diligently serve our Air Force with honor, patience and hard work. I salute you, and assure you that you are all in my family's thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving.