Wolf Pack learns importance of resiliency

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Winter Wingman Day 2011 was a strategic pause across the Air Force which again focused on the importance of resiliency here Nov. 10.

The stand down lasted throughout the day beginning with a wing warrior run with the goal to improve individual resilience by way of structured discussion of coping skills and the importance of being vigilant wingmen.

"Resiliency or resilient Airmen can be described as Airmen who have developed skills or processes to bounce back from trauma, both physical and mental," said Col. Alvis Headen, 8th Medical Group commander. "One critical component in resiliency is being physically fit. Another is the great feeling you get when you participate in group activities such as the warrior run and calling out the jodies, while running in formation. Warrior runs are important, because they promote some of the skills necessary for resiliency."

Headen and his dedicated team of medical professionals organized the day's warrior run. The formation run was a distance of 2.6 miles.

Following the run, Airmen joined their respective agencies and groups for a commander's call and resiliency activities.

"Resiliency is what we do for each other," said Lt. Col. Curtis St. Amand, 8th Fighter Wing director of staff. "The combination of physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness is how we get through our year at Kunsan."

The colonel sited several resources across base as great places to meet new people and build on the importance of social fitness. Several of these resources, unique to Kunsan, facilitate a friendly atmosphere Airmen of all ranks can come together and learn more about what it means to be members of the Wolf Pack.

Though he said Airmen should not limit themselves to just their social environment, but rather get out of the office or their comfort zone and get to know the rest of the pack.

"Get off your phones and email," St. Amand said. "And start walking around; get to know those you work with better."

St. Amand led the wing staff agencies and 8th Comptroller Squadron in an exercise where teams of five or more had to come up with a minimum of two items they all shared. He said the experience was meant to bridge the gap across agencies.

After the group exercise, the big group split off into several smaller groups to discuss resiliency on a personal level. Tech. Sgt. Chad Calahan, 8th FW flight safety NCO in charge, referenced a few ways he maintains his resiliency.

"When you have a horrible day at work, don't let things bother you too much," Calahan said. "I go to the gym, workout and listen to music to escape."

"Life is like a basketball," added Chaplain (Capt.) Dennis DeGuzman, 8th FW catholic chaplain. "You just got to keep bouncing up and rebounding from life."

Wolf Pack Airmen learned resiliency has many facets, one of which, and possibly one of the most important, is situational awareness.

"Situational awareness is like having street knowledge," said Master Sgt. Julius Parker, 8th FW safety superintendent. "This is your everyday knowledge of what to do and not to do. If you find yourself in a peculiar situation, do something about it and rectify it."

"We need to communicate these problems as soon as they come up," added Tech. Sgt. Jack Stanley, 8th FW weapons safety manager. "And at the same time, we need to communicate them in the best way possible."

Many topics, exercises and strategies make up what is now known and reaffirmed to Wolf Pack Airmen as resiliency.

"Be a good flight lead as well as a good wingman," said St. Amand. "Use positive and empowering attitudes and together we can take the fight north."