'Wingman Day' helps foster resiliency

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Saphfire Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Per Gen. Norton Schwartz, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, squadrons Air Force-wide are instructed to hold a Resiliency Stand Down for their Airmen in the month of January. The 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., held its stand down, dubbed "Wingman Day," Jan. 20.

Being a military member comes with stressors that may not be present in a civilian lifestyle. These added stressors make it a necessity to form a support system to help foster resiliency.

The day started out with a resiliency mass briefing and discussion.

"The briefing was very informative," said Staff Sgt. Tiffany Vandross, 355th Legal Office assistant noncommissioned officer in-charge of military justice. "Many offices are shouldering a lot of work with less manning, and times are very stressful. This briefing gave us good tips on how to be more aware of your people and what's going on in their lives."

After the discussions closed and the presentations ended, an afternoon of teambuilding and morale-boosting activities began.

Wingman Day was designed to promote a sense of camaraderie within the squadron and to allow members to get to know one another in a relaxed atmosphere.

"Days like this are all about getting to know your Airmen so that if they're situation changes, you will be able to see the signs and then step in to help," said Master Sgt. Steven Shulski, 355th FW first sergeant. "It helps us to maintain the four dimensions of wellness and build the warrior culture that we, as Airmen, are responsible for."