Wingman Day: From Yoga to the Last Lecture

by Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/20/2013 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Warriors of the North paused day-to-day operations Nov. 15 in order to reinforce the Wingman concept and focus on unit wellness.

This most recent Wingman Day kicked off with members of Team Grand Forks meeting at the 3-Bay Hangar for a handful of briefings followed by a series of events specifically focused on the spiritual and social pillars of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness Program. The CAF program is a service-wide initiative designed to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force community that fosters positive development of a person's mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness. These four areas of fitness are also referred to as the four fitness pillars.

"When our community service coordinator asked us to lead this Wingman Day with the emphasis on the social and spiritual pillars, the first thing we did was say, 'Hey, let's talk with the Airmen, let's see what they want,' " said Chaplain (Maj.) Steven Dabbs, the head chaplain for the 319th Air Base Wing. "So we offered them a list of opportunities and also a lot of blank spaces so we could know what our folks were looking for and what they were interested in learning about."

After receiving feedback from hundreds of Airmen, the chaplain's office determined that one of the topics of high interest was Yoga.

"I really loved taking part in the Yoga seminar," said Tech. Sgt. Jaime Cleveland, 319th Medical Operation Squadron NCO in charge of physical therapy. "I enjoyed the physical aspect of it and the relaxation that comes from going through motions. In fact it was so relaxing I almost fell asleep... I think this Wingman Day was a complete success, and I hope the base will continue to use the Airmen's feedback to plan future events."

The chaplains also led two relationship-oriented seminars, which Dabbs described as a very good thing because, "Chaplains get an opportunity to put their graduate degree and academic studies into play."

Dabbs' fellow chaplain, Capt. Christopher Watson, led a seminar based on the in-depth study presented in the book entitled, "Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs," by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.

"As an Air Force chaplain I've come across several faith-based sources designed to help people with develop better relationships with their spouse. Dr. Eggerichs' book is one of those great sources I've come across my studies," said Watson.

"It's based on Ephesians 5:33 and it offers extensive biblical and psychological research that reveals how husbands and wives can reap the benefits of marriage the way God intended when they appropriately express unconditional love and unconditional respect according to their needs and roles as husband and wife."

The purpose of the Love and Respect seminar by Watson mirrored the same intention of the Top 5 Marital Needs of Men and Women seminar given by Dabbs.

"After attending these marriage-enrichment seminars, we expect that the couples will walk away with a game plan on how to have a very strong and healthy marriage," said Dabbs.

Wingman Day also offered some non-faith alternatives with showings of inspirational films, "The Human Experience," and "The Last Lecture," at the base theatre, two films which Dabbs explained were selected not just to entertain, but more importantly to show how strong and resilient the human spirit is.

In addition to all the events centered on the spiritual pillar, Wingman Day also included an extended lunch period intended to set the stage for multiple social interactions.

"I think our base was in need of this Wingman Day and these activities," said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Brown, 319th Air Base Wing inspector general's office superintendent. "Without a doubt 2013 has been a challenging year for our base, from furloughs to budget and manning cuts to the stresses of everyday life, I think taking a day to focus on spiritual and social wellbeing of our people couldn't have come at better time. And if there's anybody who questions our service's dedication for taking care of our Air Force family, then they must not have participated in today's Wingman Day."