Gunfighters learn to bounce back

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Roy Lynch
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing will take a break and focus on their personal wellbeing during Comprehensive Airman Fitness Day, here May 10.

On CAF day, Gunfighters will learn how to strengthen their personal readiness, reduce self-defeating behaviors and enhance balance between their personal and work lives.

"We need to be more than just physically fit. Comprehensive Airman's Fitness includes mental, social and spiritual fitness in addition to physical fitness. As a leader I need to ensure our Gunfighters are fit in all four areas," said Col. Chris Short, 366th FW commander.

Comprehensive Airman Fitness can be broken down into four pillars--mental, physical, social, and spiritual health, and focuses on making Airmen more resilient. In an effort to delve more deeply topics, the upcoming CAF day will revolve around physical fitness, counting blessings and thought-provoking scenarios. Each concept will have a video or briefing beforehand, a small discussion group and followed up with group activities. Because it would be difficult to teach every CAF principal in one day, training will be conducted quarterly in order to better equip Airmen, civilians and family members to bounce back from difficult situations.

Physical fitness will start off with a wing run at 8 a.m. at Holt Park. Then briefings will start afterwards.

"Counting our blessings" is a mental exercise about ones view on life and attempts to change their view in a positive way.

CAF Pillars Another mental exercise allows groups to discuss scenarios, which remind Airmen that they can respond in a variety of ways to the same event.

"All Airmen need to be engaged and take CAF day seriously," said Scott Baker, 366th FW community support coordinator.

When the day is over, Airmen should be able to apply resiliency principles in everyday problems both on and off duty.

"Airmen need to learn how to respond to difficult circumstances in ways to not only survive but even learn how to thrive," said Baker. "There will be a CAF day every 90 days or so, in order to help Airmen reinforce these positive behaviors."