Wing Commander invites spouses to attend special presentation

  • Published
  • By Col. Mick McGuire
  • 162nd Fighter Wing Commander
TUCSON, Ariz. --  In the 24 years that my wife Debbie and I have served in the United States Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard I have learned that a professional military organization cannot succeed without the full support of our members' spouses.

I often tell the Airmen of the 162nd Fighter Wing that their service to our nation and state is a team sport, and every team member is equally important to our mission. While I get several opportunities to meet with this half of our team, I seldom have the chance to meet with the other - more important - half; you, the spouses that make our service possible.

Please accept this as your personal invitation to attend one of two presentations on base, by me, designed specifically to inform you about all that the Arizona Air National Guard can provide in terms of benefits and support programs. All are welcome to attend. To offer some flexibility for each family's schedule I am offering two opportunities:

· Saturday, April 14, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the base dining facility in building 5 at the Arizona Air National Guard base at Tucson International Airport, and again on

· Thursday, April 19, from 5 to 6 p.m. also in the base dining facility.

I want to ensure that as a vital group within our 'Guard Family' you understand how valuable you are to our mission and that you are well informed about everything from healthcare, to life insurance, to education benefits.

Please bring me your questions. There will be representatives from all of the support agencies on base to help answer them - medical, family readiness, Jimmy Jet Foundation, personnel, services, chaplains and more. I will also take some time to explain this unit's basic structure, its role in the state, the way it functions and what we do when your Guardsmen come to drill.

If you aren't already familiar with our official Website, you can find base news and information right here. You are also invited to "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/162fw where we will periodically post reminders about these presentations along with other base news.

If you have any questions regarding this or future base events, please contact our Airmen and Family Readiness Program Manager, Ms. Barb Gavre, at (520) 295-6566 or barbara.gavre@ang.af.mil. I thank you all for your continued support for your loved ones in uniform. I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.