Wingman Day: resiliency is the key to success

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Sweat drops from many faces as another round of activities begins during Wingman Day April 29, 2016.

Ellsworth AFB focused on the physical and social pillars throughout the day to increase Airmen's resiliency and camaraderie, with personnel participating in activities such as glow-in-the-dark paintball, hiking, dodgeball and basketball.

With the 28th Bomb Wing's major command change from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command in October 2015, what was formally known as Comprehensive Airman Fitness Day has become Wingman Day, where instead of focusing on one pillar of CAF the base highlights two at the same time.

"It's good for Airmen of all facets to get out and just have fun," said Greg Pendleton, 28th BW chief of protocol and master resiliency trainer. "We talk about the four different pillars: social, physical, spiritual and mental; and each time you teach one it's always associated with another."

Master resiliency trainers are personnel in charge of putting together professional development seminars to deliver resiliency training to Airmen and families.

Pendleton said MRTs pick a few pillars to focus on because it can be very challenging to take all of the information needed to know about the four domains and unload it onto an Airman, and by breaking the pillars down Airmen can process everything and have an opportunity to grow in those areas.

"As important as it is to handle our position well, it's also important that we take care of ourselves," Pendleton said. "If we're not taking care of ourselves as people, how can we effectively execute the mission? I like my section to give any one customer 100 percent when they walk through that door. Understanding the resiliency you need in life and how to make yourself a better person will allow an individual to exude that excellence to give great customer service."

Col. Gentry Boswell, 28th BW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Sonia Lee, 28th BW command chief, kicked off the day with a message to Airmen highlighting the importance of Airmen staying mentally, physically, socially and spiritually fit to effectively accomplish the mission.

"Fitness is not just about a [physical training] test," Lee said. "It's not always about the physical appearance. We need to take care of ourselves and have that balance in our life."