Units have until Dec. 31 to schedule, observe Wingman Day 2007 Published Oct. 9, 2007 By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AFB, Mass. -- Being a good Wingman is an integral part of the Air Force's culture; to emphasize and celebrate Wingman concepts and principles, the Air Force designates one day each year as Wingman Day. This year, the actual date of Wingman Day is fluid - it is up to commanders to decide upon a date "that fits their installations' operational and mission constraints prior to Dec. 31," states a Sept. 5 memo signed by Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. 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. Since its introduction in 2004, Wingman Day has been a "powerful tool in promoting responsible behaviors," the memo states. It now will become an even stronger tool. The Air Force Community Action Information Board decided that this year's Wingman Day events should 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. "Wingman Day offers us a pause in the day-to-day mission to focus on Airmen in order to solidify relationships, get to know peers in more meaningful ways, systematically examine the organizational climate, troubleshoot unit problems and lay a roadmap for the coming year," said Lydia Hughes, Hanscom's Wingman Day representative. For Wingman Day 2007 the emphasis will be on facilitating small group discussion sessions amongst co-workers. According 2006 Wingman Day data, interactive small group and team building activities led by section supervisors were cited as being the most effective Wingman Day activities, while mandatory training, slide show presentations and discussions led by senior leaders were cited as being the least effective. "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," Ms. Hughes said. 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. "By meeting in small groups of 10 to 20 people and listening to each other, you'll learn more about your co-workers and open up the lines of communication within the office. This type of camaraderie will extend well beyond just Wingman Day," Ms. Hughes said. 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.