Wounded Airmen receive support

by Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2014 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C.  -- On July 25, Paula Roy, Air Force Association Airmen and Family Programs director, spoke to the members of the AFA Swamp Fox chapter about the Wounded Airman Program.

"The Air Force Association mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force heritage," according to the AFA website.

The AFA educates the public of the Air Force mission, advocates aerospace power and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, and supports their Air Force family.

In 2011, the AFA was tasked with a new way to support their Air Force family, the Wounded Airman Program.

"A lot of [people] probably haven't heard of the Wounded Airman Program, we tend to think of the Wounded Warrior Project," said Bush Hanson, AFA Swamp Fox president.

Hanson went on to say how good it is to share what the Air Force does for their Airmen in the Air Force-specific program.

The WAP receives requests to aid wounded Airmen and uses their funding to support the Airmen the best they can. This differs from the Wounded Warrior Project, which is not service specific with their support.

The WAP ensures 100 percent of money received goes directly towards support of wounded Airmen.

"An Air Force wounded Airmen is any seriously or very seriously wounded, ill, or injured Airmen identified on a casualty report or recommended by the medical community as having complex medical conditions," said Roy.

Some of the assistance given to Airmen includes adapted equipment, lifestyle and accessibility items, financial aid and caregiver support.

The WAP also supports the Warrior Games, a six day competition for wounded military personnel. This year WAP is estimating to donate approximately $20,000 to provide family support, team support, and a WAP tail gate at the event.

Roy said she hopes to expand the WAP to include support for Airmen and families to participate in Adaptive Sports Camps, which empower disabled Airmen to move past their disability by participating in a sport.

Roy said there are many ways to support the Airmen through this program. Airmen, families, and the community can donate, join AFA, get involved with a local chapter and events in the area, or reach out to Airmen in the community.

There are 3,341 Airmen on record as wounded which increases by roughly 73 wounded Airmen per month.

Since every Airman's story is different, the aid needed is different. The WAP tries to meet the various needs of wounded Airmen to provide them with support they might not obtain otherwise.