HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Service members and their families here can participate in morale, welfare, and recreational activities through the 66th Force Support Squadron Recharge for Resiliency program.
Recharge for Resiliency, or R4R, aims to foster cohesion, culture, mission, and a sense of community between Airmen and their families through four specialized programs: UNITE, Single Airman, RecOn and Deployed Affected.
According to 66 FSS officials, these programs are available for active-duty and reserve-component Airmen and their families assigned to Hanscom as well as geographically separated units supported by Hanscom.
Available for unmarried enlisted and officers, the Single Airman program puts on recreational and social activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and sense of belonging.
“The program is a great way to make friends and connections, but also to get out of your dorm room or apartment and really experience where you are,” said Andrew Lane, 66 FSS community programs and project specialist and R4R coordinator.
The RecOn program offers a supervised high-adrenaline experience for service members and their families. Lane describes activities in this event as perfect for those who love the outdoors, and previous events have included hot air balloon rides, ax throwing and go-kart racing.
“One of the best things about New England is every season allows for something fun,” he said. “RecOn has taken us hiking in the summer and fall, skiing in the winter, and on fishing trips in the spring. There’s no limit to what we can plan.”
With the winter season approaching, Lane said his programs will host several ski and snowboarding events for all experience levels.
“It’s a great chance to get out and try something new,” he said.
Deployed Affected programs are for assigned service members who are deploying, are deployed, or are returning home from an active operation or dependent-restricted location, as well as their families.
“This program is a great way for families to spend time together before a deployment,” said Lane. “Then while they’re separated, family members can connect with other deployed-affected members and take their minds off what can be a very stressful time.”
Deployed Affected programs are recreational, cultural, historical or educational, said Lane, who is coordinating a behind-the-scenes tour of the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston.
Eligibility for this program begins once the service member receives deployment orders and continues to one year after they return home to help families reintegrate.
Lane said the R4R programs are in place to help service members make the most of their time at an assignment, and oftentimes come at no cost to the members.
“Getting people outside, meeting others and making memories is a big part of what R4R is about,” said Lane. “It’s too good of an opportunity to miss out on.”
For additional information on R4R programs, visit www.HanscomFSS.com/resiliency-programs, or contact Lane at 781-225-6167.