Wingman Day: Focusing on Airmen, teamwork

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vann Miller
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --   The 10th Air Base Wing hosted its Wingman Day here Nov. 14 to cast a spotlight on strengthening the Academy team and encourage its workforce to focus what many leaders here say is the institution's most valuable asset -- its people.

The day-long event featured a variety of activities and team-building "break out" groups across the Air Force's Academy and also gave cadets the chance to show off their airmanship skills.

"Wingman Day reminds Airmen to practice one-on-one communication and follow the Golden Rule (of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you)," said Col.

Stacey Hawkins, the 10th ABW commander. "Effective communication is imperative, but more importantly, we all need to respect one another. Our goal at the Air Force's Academy is to foster a culture of dignity and respect, and that begins by our respecting our teammates and treating them like we would want to be treated."

Commanders across the Academy shut down their work center to allow their staff to take part in Wingman Day, which began at 8 a.m. in Arnold Hall Theater with Hawkins introducing Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson for the event's opening remarks.

"It's essential to understand that we are all part of the team here and play a critical role in our mission of producing lieutenants for our Air Force and for our nation," she said.

The guest speaker at Wingman Day was best-selling author Jim Ferrell, of the Arbinger Institute, an organization specializing in institutional effectiveness. At the theater, Ferrell spoke on the importance of trust, respect and compassion and how being able to distinguish between a person's behavior and their way of being is a crucial to changing any culture.

"When it comes to the Air Force and its current cultural issues, such as suicide or sexual assault, the issues may be deeper than behavior," Ferrell said.

Airmen should focus on maintaining their mental, social, physical and emotional fitness, and no one should be objectified in any institution of trust, he said.

After the event's intro at the theater, Brig. Gen. Andrew Armacost, the Academy's Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the nearly 1,000 guests to Fairchild Hall to explain his approach to improving the cadet's learning experience. Following his brief presentation, Armacost introduced a panel of Academy leaders -- Col. Evan Miller, the Academy's vice-superintendent, Gail Colvin, the Academy's director of staff, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Ludwig, the Academy's command chief, James Jeffers, the 10th Logistics Readiness Squadron director, and Hawkins, who all discussed the importance each Academy Airman plays in influencing cadets and enhancing a healthy institutional culture.

"Culture headed in the wrong direction can be corrosive," Miller said. "Culture is so important because teamwork is so important. And, some of the things we've talked about this afternoon (demonstrate) how dependent we are on each other."

After the panel concluded, the audience divided into groups with some Airmen visiting cadet living areas while others toured the academic labs in Sijan Hall.

A third group traveled to the Academy airfield, where the day's calm weather provided ideal conditions for cadets to show off their airmanship skills.

Two gliders, piloted by cadets, and another plane carrying the Wings of Blue parachute demonstration team, took to the skies to perform several aerial and parachute displays.
At the airfield, Hawkins explained how the Academy incorporates the flying program into leadership lessons for cadets.

"The airmanship programs establish an underpinning of courage, discipline and character in our cadets," Hawkins said. "Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that stepping out of the airplane door and facing your fears is a transformational life event. Our airmanship programs build the essential leadership and character qualities for success as Air Force officers in the world's premier Air and Space force and helps instill a warrior ethos in our nation's future leaders."

Planning for the 10th ABW's next Wingman Day in June is in the works.

"It's important that we take time to reflect on who we are and how our mission fits into and supports the overall Air Force mission," Hawkins said. "This Wingman Day allowed Team USAFA to come together and see how different mission elements support our mission."