Feature Search

Team Andersen celebrates Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Team Andersen set aside Jan. 23 as a day to renew the notion of Airmen helping Airmen through the 36th Wing Wingman Day themed, "I got your back." 

Wingman Day is an Air Force wide program that offers a pause in the mission focus in order to solidify relationships and emphasize making responsible choices.

"Wingman Day is important to me because it has helped me understand what a wingman is truly supposed to mean," said Senior Airman Jaime Wood, 36th Operations Support Squadron. "I used to think that 'wingman' was just a saying, now I know that being a wingman or having a wingman is true, and a part of the U.S. Air Force lifestyle. I know now that a 'wingman' is someone I can count on." 

All units planned their own events for the morning, focusing on team building, better choices, suicide prevention, accidental injuries and death; as well as stressors like high operations and deployments rates.

Team Andersen organized events such as 'Wingman Feud,' and a driving under the influence demo with field sobriety tests. 

Wingman Feud was set up to resemble the television game show Family Feud. Airmen from across Team Andersen teamed up to answer trivia questions ranging from the topics of the TEACH concept to safety. 

A 'driving under the influence' demo was set up at Arc Light Park and separated into two areas; driving through a course marked with traffic cones while wearing "drunk-goggles" and taking a field sobriety test with the goggles on. 

"The 'drunk-goggles' are actually impaired vision simulators designed to impair vision in conjunction with safety training to let individuals know what they risk by driving under the influence of alcohol," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Oyer, 36th Wing ground safety manager. "This tool is invaluable, especially during Wingman Day because it allows Airmen to physically see what can happen when they are impaired. This kind of safety training can help Airmen make sound decisions when they are faced with similar situations off duty." 

Even though Friday was dedicated to the Air Force's Wingman concept, being a good wingman goes beyond just a one-day event.

"The Wingman concept is more than an event," Sergeant Oyer said. "It is a culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year."