16 Aug 2021

The Initial Perception

There are many common sayings that go along with how important the first impression you leave on someone is. No matter the circumstances for someone’s behavior, on any particular day, there is no way to reverse that initial interaction, conversation, attitude, etc. For this reason, and many more, the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program puts some of their best people as the first stop warriors interact with.

2 Aug 2021

Wounded warriors share message of resilience in Florida

On the day a bullet tore through his legs inside an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. August O’Niell, 414th Combat Training Squadron Detachment 1 flight chief in charge of ground operations at Davis-Monthan, Air Force Base, Arizona, said his world changed. Maj. Marie Perkins, 633rd Medical Support Squadron chief information officer and information systems flight commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in October 2018. Established in 2005, the AFW2 program provides care and assistance for wounded, ill or injured Airmen and Guardians from the time of their injuries until they transition back to military duty or civilian life.

19 Feb 2021

Wounded Warrior’s personal account helps commanders take care of Airmen

The 332nd AEW hosted an Air Force Wounded Warrior program for commanders, first sergeants and others who focus on taking care of Airmen, Feb. 8, 2021. This virtual meeting featured the story of active-duty explosive ordnance technician, Staff Sgt. Guadalupe Corona, who goes by Wally. He walked the audience through much of his career explaining both the highs and the lows, ultimately explaining how he recovered from injury, both physical and mental, and was able to return to active service.

4 Feb 2021

Shift Back to Normal: How Master Sgt. Michael Myers Found Resilience through Humility and Helping Others

After fighting for a decade with his invisible wounds, Master Sergeant Michael Myers recognizes the need for Airmen to seek treatment at an early stage. Now, as a Superintendent for the Office of the Warrior Advocate (OWA) and an Ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) program, Myers has dedicated his life to helping others overcome their invisible wounds and calling all Airmen to speak openly about their mental health.

8 Oct 2018

Finding healing through helping others

Seeking care never slowed me down; it helped me through my toughest times.” Senior Master Sgt. Richard “Joe” Chwalik has been through a lifetime’s worth of setbacks; incidents that have left long-lasting emotional scars. Yet, he found his way through the darkness by asking for help when he needed it most. Like many, Chwalik witnessed a lot during his deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2009. However, an incident in October of that year left a lasting impact on him. Chwalik did not return to seek help due to fears of facing the medical evaluation board process. He numbed his pain with sleeping pills most weeks, and with alcohol over the weekends. His symptoms included flashbacks, bouts of anger and frustration, night sweats and terror leading to many sleepless nights. He constantly relived what he experienced while deployed to Afghanistan.

6 Mar 2017

Wounded warriors participate at 2017 AFW2

Col. David, 432nd Wing/432 Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander presents a medal to an Air Force Wounded Warrior Trials competitor after competing in the wheelchair basketball competition March 1, 2017, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Competitors participated in the basketball tournament until a third, second and first place team were awarded. The

16 Feb 2017

Stronger through adversity: Airman rebounding after aneurysm

Early on Dec. 9, 2015, Staff Sgt. Rasheed, a 7th Intelligence Squadron signals intelligence analyst, experienced a cerebral aneurysm. From what he can recall, and what he has been told, a neighbor found him unresponsive in his Maryland apartment while his dog ran loose outside, door wide open.