Wingman Day stresses team commitment Published Dec. 9, 2009 By Susan Griggs Keesler News editor KEESLER AFB, Ms -- Keesler observes Wingman Day Dec. 17 as a reminder to take care of each other as the peak of the holiday season approaches. "Promoting Resilience" and "Reducing Stigma" are slogans for this year's event, which begins with a 7 a.m. Wingman Run on the flightline. At 9 a.m. there's a senior leaders call for commanders, chiefs and first sergeants at Welch Auditorium. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. squadrons conduct individual activities. The observance ends with a 3 p.m. burger burn at the marina. "We wanted to have Wingman Day before the student exodus and the peak of the holiday season," said Lt. Col. Sean Gallagher, 81st Mission Support Group deputy commander, who's heading the event. "Although we should be taking care of our wingman every day, having Wingman Day during this time of year allows us to place emphasis on the well-being of our fellow Airmen. "It's not unusual that this time of year can be depressing for some of our Airmen, especially when they may not have the usual support system of their own families," he pointed out. "So Wingman Day gives us that time to get to know our wingman better and provide support from an Air Force family perspective. Additionally, as we take a break during the holiday season, we want to continue to promote safety, not just on-duty, but off duty as well." A "toolkit" for commanders and supervisors will be available online Monday to provide a wealth of information and exercises for individual units to use in an effort to steer activities away from lectures and slide presentations. "Squadron leaders won't have to search for information or ideas themselves," Colonel Gallagher explained. "Instead, the 81st Training Wing support agencies are providing a one-stop shop where units can pull the tools that best meet their individual needs." "These tools include links to team-building exercises to promote teamwork in our duty sections, activities to facilitate discussion and critical thinking, and lists of services available from our support agencies," he continued. "Examples are safety scenarios to facilitate small-group discussion and informative Web sites with topics ranging from running to suicide prevention."