Resiliency, communicating training to be held for Wingman Day

Photo By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier | Wingman Day is scheduled for Oct. 2, on Kadena Air Base, Japan, as an opportunity for Airmen to step outside of their day-to-day work environment and spend time to focus on team-building exercises. The purpose of Wingman Day is to enhance resilience within the force by strengthening physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness, also known as Comprehensive Airman Fitness. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman John Linzmeier)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.30.2015

Story by Senior Airman John Linzmeier 

18th Wing

OKINAWA, Japan - Wingman Day encourages Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, enhancing resiliency skills with group activities to promote physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness.

“The focus of this particular Wingman Day is acknowledging that there’s a lot of different ways that you can promote personal, professional growth and personal resilience,” said Lisa Velez, 18th Wing community support coordinator. “"What this culminates to, is a fun day amidst a diverse amount of options."

A variety of activities are planned to include scavenger hunts, paintball games, hospital cave tours, sports tournaments, viewing and discussions of a resiliency film and more.

Resiliency trainers have prepared to conduct a series of classes throughout the day, which comprise the Individual Resiliency Skills Course. Course topics range from improving problem solving skills, accomplishing goals to active constructive responding.

“I think sometimes, not only do we get caught up with our day-to-day work, but we also get caught up in our own brains,” said Tech. Sgt. Carolina Angulo, 18th Wing deputy community support coordinator and master resiliency trainer. “These modules, in the resiliency course, help to teach you how your brain thinks. So you can begin to identify the areas in which you are lacking, the things you’re good at and the things that you should be doing to improve.”

A series of all calls lead by Brig. Gen. Barry Cornish, 18th Wing commander, are slated to be held throughout the day in the base theater. Guest speaker Dave Roever, a survivor of severe and life-altering wounds from the Vietnam War, is expected to join the all call to share how he overcame his own hardships.

“Mr. Roever is a brilliant, multigenerational speaker,” Velez said. “There’s such an element of humor in the way he shares his story and I have found him to be very dynamic and able to reach all audiences: from high-schoolers to senior leadership.”

Wingman Day event coordinators have placed a special emphasis on flexibility in the way activities are conducted. Unit leaders have been encouraged to step outside of the office and classroom type atmospheres and try out alternative environments, such as the park or even the beach.

“If you’re going to have to do the training, why not do it with your feet in the sand next to the water,” Velez said. “It’s exciting to see how each squadron is tailoring Wingman Day to match the interests of their unit.”

The Wingman Day all call, featuring Roever’s story of resilience, is scheduled to be held at the Kadena Base Theater and broadcast live on the Commander’s Action Channel 17 from 8 – 9 a.m., 10:50 a.m. to noon and 1:50 – 3 p.m.

The first session may be heard live on AFN-AM 648 and on the AFN Pacific mobile phone app, AFN 360 or visit http://www.afnpacific.net/AFN360.aspx

• Date Taken: 09.30.2015
• Date Posted: 09.30.2015 04:48
• Story ID: 177565
• Location: OKINAWA, JP