KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Airmen from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, participated in a Wingman Day resiliency event Nov. 16.
During Keesler’s previous wingman days units participated in morale boosting activities like fun runs and sporting competitions while also attending unit-wide Comprehensive Airman Fitness courses. However, this time, Airmen were able to sign up for 45 or 90-minute classes of their choice. Nearly 80 classes were hosted and taught by fellow Airmen around the base.
“It allows Airmen the opportunity to get information they feel is important instead of being given a topic and forced to receive only that information,” said Senior Master Sgt. Tiffany Patterson, 81st Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor.
There were a wide variety of topics taught by Airmen throughout the day. Classes ranged from personal development courses, tours of various units and hobbies like trivia, playing guitar and unicycling.
“This Wingman Day brings other people from the base together to learn different things and skills from all over,” said Airman Shantez Champion, 81st FSS customer service technician.
Because Airmen were able to sign up for different classes, it gave many a chance to intermingle with others from different units they normally would not talk to. This was a key aspect to this new approach because it improved wingmanship throughout the base, according to Patterson.
“If we’re talking about being wingmen, it goes beyond just having each other’s back,” said Patterson. “If I find that you and I share a common interest or a hobby we’re more likely to build a personal relationship and truly embody the wingman concept when looking at it from a whole well-rounded perspective besides just a work relationship.”