Misawa Air Base prepares for Resilient Airman Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Air Force spends millions of dollars training Airmen every year. Airmen go through basic military training then they move to their respective technical school before finally joining an operational base.

Lately the Air Force has taken the initiative to not only train their Airmen to be the best Airmen in the greatest Air Force, but also to be the resilient Airmen and wingmen.

Most people think of a wingman as a buddy, someone to watch their back and keep them out of trouble. When times are tough, a wingman should be there to encourage and motivate fellow Airmen. The wingman concept is so important in today's Air Force that a day has been dedicated for all Airmen to set aside work and build camaraderie as wingmen.

"Resilient Airman Day is a chance for individuals to come together and learn about and discuss several topics that will help keep you resilient," said Jim Bibbee, 35th Fighter Wing community support coordinator. "The intent of Resilient Airman Day is to reinforce a social structure between wingmen while giving support classes for many stresses that we encounter throughout life."

It is a mission of Pacific Air Forces to build and sustain a resilient PACAF ethos that fosters combat readiness; cross-cultural competence; responsible choices and mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness. On Sept. 27, Misawa Air Base members will have a full day to explore what being a resilient Airman is all about with more than 70 classes being held in work-centers throughout the base.

"We want to bring our experts to them," said Bibbee. "We want to raise resiliency by dispersing our trainers across the base so that everyone has the same opportunity to learn."

All Resilience classes will be taught by their respective unit Resilience Trainer Assistants or RTAs, said Bibbee. This is to help keep people with familiar backgrounds together as they are teaching members from their own squadron or job.

Members from several squadrons attended a Train the Trainer class, where they were trained to be RTAs. After completing the class, the RTA's couldn't wait for the opportunity to pass on their knowledge to their wingmen.

"We all need to understand the importance of resiliency and how to be resilient Airmen," said Master Sgt. Jonathan Oakley, 35th Maintenance Squadron resilience trainer assistant. "I enjoyed the opportunity to learn new information and better myself on and off duty. Everything I learned can be put into practice at work and at home. I feel very confident about teaching on Resilient Airman Day."

Along with the many educational classes, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Salvatore Angelella, 5th Air Force commander, will be speaking about resilience from his perspective, said Bibbee. Angellella has served in the military for more than 30 years and has a plethora of experience to offer.

Last but not least, near the close of business hours, squadrons will have time to come together and build camaraderie within their squadron, whether it's a group barbeque, a volleyball game or some other event, Bibbee explained. All-in-all, Resilient Airman Day is something that should be taken seriously, especially by the Airmen, both enlisted and officer.

"There are bad things in life we all encounter that we have no control over," said Bibbee. "Wingmen are there to help you cope, and handle the stresses of life. If we can prevent somebody from harming themselves or others because we talked face-to-face, then it becomes much more effective than some required slideshow. I hope that this Resilient Airman Day will strengthen everyone's resilience and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together."