Eglin salutes the Year of the Air Force Family Published Oct. 8, 2009 By Minty Knighton 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Supervisors, co-workers and friends come and go, but family is forever is the underlying theme in the coming months as Eglin Air Force Base leaders will focus on the meaning, needs and strengths of the Air Force family during the Year of the Air Force Family. The Year of the Air Force Family began in July and lasts to July 2010, and is a time base advocacy organizations promote events and programs supporting specific themes of the effort. In addition to Airmen, Year of the Air Force Family will focus on extended family members and civilians," said Barbara Turney, the Eglin AFB Airmen, Family and Readiness Center director. "The goal is to have ongoing programs and events to July 2010." In addition to October focus group meetings, Eglin AFB officials will sponsor an Air Force family forum, the kick-off event for Week of the Air Force Family Nov. 2 through 6. During that week, base help and service organizations will come together to inform and educate Eglin AFB families on their programs. In April, a Caring for People Forum was held with more than 200 Air Force professionals attending. What developed was a plan endorsed and encouraged by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force to address the best way to help families of deployed members, Guard and Reserve, single Airmen and families with special needs. In the coming months, help organizations here will showcase programs and events focused on four pillars of excellence: health and wellness; Airmen and family support; education, development and employment; and Airman and family housing. The Eglin AFB initiative began with focus group meetings Oct. 2 targeting single Airmen, key spouses, command chiefs and first sergeants. Horace Larry, a senior executive servicemember who serves as the deputy director of Air Force Services, briefed various groups at Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field, Fla., on the Air Force's vision for Year of the Air Force Family. "There is nothing like going eyeball to eyeball and getting firsthand feedback as we team up and continue to assess and build tomorrow's programs and services," Mr. Larry said. Supporting this initiative, Eglin AFB will host a town hall meeting Nov. 1. "We need to hear from people, see where the gaps are and how we can do better," said Lisa Splinter, the Eglin AFB Year of the Air Force Family project officer. "For instance, we have new fitness elements and housing. We need to know how the Airmen feel about these types of things." Other programs scheduled throughout the year include developing libraries for children of deployed members and those with special needs, family fitness activities, free sports classes and recreation events. Additionally, military spouse virtual assistant training and home-based career and telework job development programs will be offered in October and January. Art, photo and essay contests are also ideas listed on the agenda. "Recognition months will play a big part," Ms. Turney said. "For example, outdoor recreation offers several family oriented program throughout the year, but in honor of the YoAFF, (it) will sponsor mini outdoor tournaments during Great Outdoors Week next June. " "There may be some areas we need to pay more attention," Ms. Splinter said. "That's why we're really concentrating on the forums and what we need to do to improve." Eglin AFB leaders support Airmen and their families through a wide range of programs, facilities and morale-enhancing activities to maintain their quality of life, health, and well-being. To meet their promise to Airmen and their families, they are capitalizing on the efforts of the Year of the Air Force Family to broaden their scope of quality of life beyond the traditional programs and reaching toward a more encompassing approach through quality of service.