Pentagon to honor Westover Airmen Family Readiness Center March 1

by By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/22/2013 - WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Air Force Reserve Command officials announced the Westover Airman and Family Readiness Center staff won the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award in late January.

We are thrilled to carry on the outstanding legacy of the Westover Airman and Family Readiness Center, with our third win in the last five years," said Cheryl Kirkwood, center director. "We are extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism of our reservists, Key Spouses, and volunteers and all we were able to accomplish as a team in 2012."

The center won the readiness award in 2008 and 2010.

"This is further evidence of the wonderful job the entire center staff and key spouse volunteers are doing in order to take care of our Airmen, sister service members and their families," said Lt. Col. Kelly Hosey, 439th Force Support Squadron operations officer.

Westover is among the Reserve component units listed below that will receive recognition March 1 at the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation.

The Patriot Wing's family center was selected for their exemplary care of reserve families while maintaining outstanding unit readiness. The presentation will be held in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, hosted by Richard O. Wightman, Jr., acting principal deputy assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs).

Winning Units:

· U.S. Air Force Reserve - 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. 
· Army National Guard - 842nd Engineer Company, Spearfish, S.D.
· U.S. Army Reserve - Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 79th Sustainment Support Command, Los Alamitos, Calif.
· U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve - 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, Pasadena, Calif.
· U.S. Navy Reserve - Navy Operational Support Center Tucson, Ariz..
· Air National Guard - 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Houston, Texas
· U.S. Coast Guard Reserve - Port Security Unit 305, Fort Eustis, Va

The Reserve Family Readiness Award recognizes one National Guard and Reserve unit from each of the seven Reserve components. The winners are those units with the best programs to support their families. Representatives from each of the winning units will receive a commemorative plaque and framed certificate from Mr. Wightman. Each unit will also receive a certificate and cash award from the Military Officers Association of America. The cash award is to be used to further enhance the unit's family support programs.

The DoD Reserve Family Readiness Awards Program was established in 2000 to recognize the top unit Family Readiness program in each of the Reserve components. Family readiness programs are particularly important as the United States relies on significant numbers of reservists to serve in critical locations worldwide. Family readiness has proven to be a key component of mission readiness. Robust Family Readiness Programs have enhanced the deployability of Guard and Reserve units and they represent a vital link in the support networks for reserve families.