KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center was recently awarded the title of best in the Air Force for 2017.
The Keesler A&FRC provides services such as financial readiness, military and family life consultations and survivor benefits services to more than 14,000 Keesler Airmen and their dependents. On a monthly basis, the A&FRC also sees approximately 3,000 new students or trainees arriving straight from basic military training to Keesler.
“Although the team has been named the best in Air Education and Training Command for about 10 years, winning at the Air Force-level was icing on the cake,” said Jackie Pope, A&FRC flight chief. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with.”
The A&FRC staff meets the needs of Airmen, commanders and family members with various programs that provide information, services and resources to promote readiness. They also help with reintegration, improve quality of life, provide financial assistance and ease the military-to-civilian transitioning process.
“We have a wide range of responsibilities,” Pope said. “Sometimes we refer to it from-cradle-to-grave because it's everything from new parents programs, like ‘Bundles for Babies,’ to the casualty services.”
The A&FRC has subject matter experts leading over 12 different programs at Keesler.
“We had nearly 6,000 consultations in a year's time frame,” Pope said.
In 2017, the A&FRC held over 600 workshops as well as more than 400 outreach events such as Operation Hero, Child Pride Day, and a monthly newcomer’s orientation. They also delivered over $95,000 in emergency financial assistance through the Air Force Aid Society to 110 service members and dependents .
“We work hard, we play hard and we go above and beyond,” said John Lowe, A&FRC community consultant. “I love helping people; that's what it's all about. Whether it's Air Force Aid, a bag of groceries, a spend plan or guidance for moving into a house; as long as people take away something, I feel great. So that's why I do what I do.”
There are a variety of services available to military families as well.
The A&FRC trains spouses for the Key Spouse Program, a group that helps build strong Air Force communities and Heart Link which provides orientation for Air Force spouses who are new to the military lifestyle.
“We want our spouses to know they are important,” said Pope. “We value them and they have a role in the Air Force as well.
The A&FRC does its best to ensure Airmen and loved ones are cared for when service members deploy and even during times of natural disaster or tragedy.
Upon the death of an active duty service member, the Casualty and Survivor Benefits counselor supports, advises and assists family members dealing with grief and claiming benefits.
“The staff continues to do phenomenal things and it shows,” Pope said. “They all love their job, they love what they do, and you can see that every day. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with.”