New warrior, family operations center opens

  • Published
  • By Tammy Cournoyer
  • Air Force Wounded Warrior Program
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening for the Air Force's new Warrior and Family Operations Center here May 25.

More than 200 people witnessed the opening of the 7,000 square-foot facility housing four programs: Air Force Wounded Warrior, Airman and Family Readiness, Retiree Services and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response.

Formerly an Army and Air Force Exchange Service eating establishment next door to the Air Force Personnel Center here, the building was completely renovated before the Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch moved in, officials said. Renovation began in October 2010 and was completed in mid-April.

"This building allows us to take better care of our people," said Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. "We will always take care of our Airmen, and that means taking care of their families."

The ribbon-cutting was extra special for AFPC's commander, Maj. Gen. Alfred J. Stewart, who began the day by marking his 30th anniversary of Air Force service.

"One thing has been consistent over those 30 years, and that is the Air Force has always taken care of me," he said. "I'm proud to lead an organization that devotes every day and resource to developing and caring for Airmen."

The new "people center" will provide a one-stop workplace for nearly 80 Airmen tasked with delivering a full spectrum of integrated services supporting all Airmen and their families throughout the military lifecycle and beyond, officials said. This mission includes a special focus on Airmen who suffer combat-related wounds, illness or injury.

General Jones recognized the importance of caring for the Air Force's wounded warriors.

"They suffered at the hands of the enemy, and showed us what it takes to be an Airman," he said.

The new facility also provides accommodations for increasing the manning of non-medical care managers as the number of AFW2s continues to grow, officials said. The AFW2 program has grown substantially since it began in June 2005, with only 51 wounded Airmen identified during the first year. On average, 30 to 35 additional wounded warriors are added to the program each month.

There are currently more than 1,100 Air Force wounded warriors receiving support from the AFW2 staff, officials said. AFW2 case managers provide support services to ensure all combat-related ill/injured, medically separated/retired Airmen receive comprehensive information on all benefits/entitlements and personalized assistance to remain on active duty or transition into the civilian sector.

The Airman and Family Readiness section provides operational oversight and training to 117 base-level Airman and family readiness centers worldwide responsible for providing day-to-day support and services to Airmen and their families, such as financial management, deployment support, relationship building, employment, transition and relocation assistance, officials said. This section is also instrumental in crisis and disaster response and recovery. Most recently, the section's staff supported noncombatant evacuation operations for people following the natural disasters in Haiti and Japan.

Retiree Services provides service to more than 690,000 Air Force military retirees and 101,000 Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants, officials said. The section also oversees support for the 15-member Air Force Retiree Council, plus more than 105 retiree activities offices across the globe. Recognizing the important role of retirees in maintaining the services "long blue line," the council reports directly to the Air Force chief of staff.

Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response staff members offer operational oversight to more than 200 coordinators worldwide, including combat areas overseas, officials said. They plan and execute initial, recurring and contingency training to ensure the Air Force's standard of zero tolerance is known throughout the force.

This new Warrior and Family Operations Center allows these four related functions to be housed together under one roof for the first time, enhancing shared support services such as financial management, employment assistance, personal and family life counseling, transition assistance benefits and entitlements, officials said.