Airmen and family welcomed at Happy Landings

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
7/23/2013 --  ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen and family members from across the base gathered at the Dakota's Club July 16, to learn about the resources available to them on base and in the surrounding area during Happy Landings.

Happy Landings, a monthly fair for both current Ellsworth members and newcomers, strives to keep Airmen updated on the services the base and area communities have to offer.

"The goal of Happy Landings is to provide info about the base and our local community to the people of Ellsworth," said Nicole Reynolds, 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center work life specialist.

In addition to providing information about Ellsworth resources, vendors helped Airmen sign up for a variety of hobby and special interest clubs.

Chad Canaan, 28th FSS school liaison officer, emphasized how important it can be to find out what resources are available on and off base.

"It's nice for Airmen and families to have all these great resources under one roof, and it's nice for the agencies to meet with people to share information about their programs," Canaan said. "It gives them a chance to learn about all the great programs and resources we have in the area."

Reynolds added that military lifestyles can be stressful, and Happy Landings hopes to alleviate some of that stress.

"Being in the military, we are a mobile population," Reynolds said. "Moving to new places isn't uncommon for our active duty members or for the EAFB civilian workforce. It's nice to get to a new location and have a group of people ready to introduce you to your new home and what it has to offer."

Reynolds added that it is wonderful to see the new faces of Ellsworth and share information about their exciting new home.

"The Black Hills area has much to offer and we want to express that to our base population," Reynolds said.

For more Information on future Happy Landings events or to register for a booth, call the AFRC at (605) 385-4663.