Hanscom to celebrate Wingman Day Nov. 21

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Being a good Wingman is an integral part of the Air Force's culture; to emphasize and celebrate Wingman concepts and principles.

This year, Hanscom will celebrate Wingman Day on Nov. 21, with a number of activities taking place throughout the day designed to strengthen morale, build upon relationships and encourage communications between co-workers.

Participation in Wingman Day is mandatory for military personnel and highly encouraged for Department of Defense employees. Contractors are encouraged to participate, but cannot charge the government for their participation.

"We stress the Wingman concept a lot in the Air Force and rightfully so," said Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the Air Force Materiel Command in a memo to command leaders. "We have our greatest impact when we invest our time and energy in each other, at a personal level. Wingman Day provides an opportunity to reinforce this behavior by setting aside time to focus on building relationships, examining organizational strengths and vulnerabilities, and planning for the year ahead."

Since its introduction in 2004, Wingman Day has been recognized as a valuable tool to build unit camaraderie and revisit the important principles of being a responsible Wingman.

This year's Wingman Day events will incorporate themes addressed under the Culture of Responsible Choices program, which targets decision making opportunities that contribute to personal readiness to include tobacco use, fitness, gambling, and personal and workplace safety.

For Wingman Day 2008 the emphasis will be on facilitating small group discussion sessions amongst co-workers.

"The purpose of small group sessions is to allow Airmen who work together to get to know each other better and discuss unit issues. As this day is not intended to be a burdensome or labor intensive activity, time and resources should be devoted primarily to these small group discussions," said Lydia Hughes, Hanscom's Wingman Day representative.

There are a number of topics that co-workers can discuss. Ms. Hughes suggested that personnel assigned to the same unit take the time to get to know each other better by asking each other questions such as, 'Why did you join or start to work for the Air Force?" or "What does serving in or working for the Air Force mean to you?" Co-workers may also want to set unit goals for the upcoming year.

Wingman Day will also include the opportunity for Wings to participate in a number of fitness activities throughout the day. Additional details on each activity are listed below.

Once units hold their Wingman Day events, unit Wingman Day representatives must send details of the events to Ms. Hughes to include information on successful and unsuccessful events as well as any recommendations for the following year's Wingman Day.

For more information on scheduling or celebrating Wingman Day contact Ms. Hughes at (781) 377-8364 or e-mail Lydia.Hughes@hanscom.af.mil.

Wingman Day Fitness Activities: 

Active Duty and civilian personnel can participate in a number of fitness activities throughout the day. Wings can submit as many teams as they would like provided the activity can be completed within the time constraints. Events are as follows: 

Indoor Volleyball Tournament- Games will take place on the courts at the Tennis Bubble. Each team must have at least six players per team and teams may have one substitute. The event will be a single elimination tournament. 

3 on 3 Basketball - Games will be played at the Main Gymnasium at 1:30 p.m. Teams must have three players and one substitute to compete. The first team to score seven points or the 12 minute time limit will determine the victor. This event will be a single elimination tournament. 

6 on 6 Dodge ball - Games will be played at Youth Center from 12:45 to 2:50 p.m. Teams must have six players and one substitute to compete. Rules are governed by "Dodge Ball Association". Each game will be last three minutes. At the end of three minutes, if neither team has been eliminated, the team with the greater number of players will be the winner. 

7 on 7 Ultimate Frisbee - Games will be played on Field #4. Teams are required to have seven players and one substitute to compete. Rules are governed by "The Ultimate Frisbee Association". 

Circuit drills - Will be performed at the main gymnasium at 1:30 p.m. activity will include pushups, sit ups, activity drills, one mile run, and interval drills. 

Tug of war - This activity will take place in the main gymnasium with five person teams.
Bowling- Will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the bowling center, on a first come, first serve basis. Cost is a dollar a game with free shoes.