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Mr. Daniel Ginsberg Visits 'Grand Slam' Wing
Daniel Ginsberg speaks to 379th Air Expeditionary Wing members and families during the renaming ceremony of the Airman Family Readiness Center, August 29, 2012. Ginsberg is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, responsible for providing overall supervision of manpower, military and civilian personnel, Reserve component affairs, and readiness support for the Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
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  DANIEL B. GINSBERG
 BRIGADIER GENERAL ROGER H. WATKINS
First Family Readiness Center opens doors in AOR

Posted 8/31/2012   Updated 8/31/2012 Email story   Print story

    


by Senior Airman Bryan Swink
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs


8/31/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is now home to the first Airman and Family Readiness Center in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility. The center opened its doors and added family members to those they serve, following the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 29, 2012.

Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, along with Air Force Central and 379th Air Expeditionary Wing leadership were on hand for the ceremony.

With more families joining service members assigned here, there is now a greater need of extended services to support those families. The revamped center now provides many of the same programs offered at stateside installations.

"We are opening up new services to accommodate the families as they (permanent change of station) here," said Teresa Carrillo, the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron AFRC team lead. "It's important they know we are here to support them any way possible throughout their transition."

With any new undertaking, challenges and obstacles are bound to arise. Brig. Gen. Roger Watkins, the 379th AEW commander, is ready to meet those challenges head on.

"In every challenge, there is an opportunity," said Watkins, who's wife will be joining him after he extended his tour another year. "We've now got a fantastic opportunity to take care of the most important people in our lives -- our families. I look forward to going through this challenge with each and every one of you."

A few of the military spouses were on hand to participate in the ceremony and were recognized for their willingness to be the pioneer families for this first of its kind program.

"This is a great opportunity and now a wonderful amenity to have," said Jeanette Wicks, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, the 379th AEW command chief. "This truly shows the commitment the Air Force has to providing the best opportunities available to support the Airmen and their families."

Watkins and Carrillo cut the red ribbon while Chief Wicks unveiled the new sign on the building.



tabComments
9/6/2012 12:40:54 AM ET
You can take your families there but it's austere enough that OPSEC concerns mean they can't even name the base in the article. Leadership something doesn't match up
Maj, Home for a change
 
9/4/2012 5:04:38 PM ET
The 379 AEW is an accompanied tour now IMO that place is still too austere for family members. Do they plan to build a school and commissary as well
SSgt, Randolph
 
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