Year of the Air Force Family

  • Published
  • By Samuel Spooner
  • 17th Training Wing superintendent
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Almost a year ago, the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, announced that July 2009 - July 2010 would be dedicated as the Year of the Air Force Family. This year-long initiative emphasizes the many programs and services that support the quality of life of our "Air Force Family."

At Goodfellow, we are home to all components of the Department of Defense. Consequently, the YOAFF program themed "a great place to LIVE, WORK and PLAY," benefits all members of the Goodfellow community.

With that in mind, I want to explain that the YOAFF is a two-part initiative.

The first is about providing programs and services for the families of our deployed members. The primary program is called DePLAYment and features DePLAYment Tags, which can be used to qualify for a host of free and reduced-fee programs. Youth and instructional classes, sports programs, hourly childcare and other family programs are some of the programs available for those left behind or can also be redeemed upon return from deployment.

To participate in DePLAYment, visit the Airman & Family Readiness Center and speak with Master Sgt. Brandon O'Neil, to register your family members in the DePLAYment program. If the military member is already deployed, the spouse can register the family. Once the family is registered, they can log onto www.myairforcelife.com to view updates on special offers and activities for Goodfellow and other Air Force bases.

The second part of this initiative is designed to create awareness of programs that are offered through various agencies in support of the greater Goodfellow community.
Personnel are encouraged to log on to the Web site www.myairforcelife.com (click on the "My Base" tab for Goodfellow events.) The site is a tool to improve communication and interaction between base activities and community members.

A program I am especially interested in is the Specialized Training of Military Parents. This program empowers families who have a child with a special medical or educational need. The two-day training educates parents on the resources that are available to assist them in managing unique challenges of everyday military life, permanent change of station moves, and deployments.

I am also excited about the menu of programs that will be continued throughout the end of the YOAFF. These programs are open to all in our community and I encourage your participation.

The 17th Force Support Squadron is proud of what you do, and honored to bring great programs to you, now and throughout your Air Force career. You are family and our staff is dedicated to making your Air Force life richer and more fulfilled.

For more information on YOAFF events, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center at (325) 654-3893.