Wingman concept valuable asset

  • Published
  • By Col. Steve Arquiette
  • 60th AMW commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For a few years we have been hearing and seeing first-hand the value of the Wingman concept. On a daily basis here at Travis, the stresses and strains of life's ups and downs coupled with being AMC Airmen in our Air Force that's still engaged heavily after 4 ½ years of wartime operations tempo, a few of us can use a little help from our fellow Airmen. I'm very impressed with the kindness, caring and compassion shown by many of you toward your Wingman as well as towards complete strangers at times. We have many great Airmen at Team Travis that have embraced this concept and soared. 

Almost a year ago, Team Travis designed the Wingman coin to be presented to those Airmen who have demonstrated what it is to be a great Wingman. Since its inception, the wing has presented nine of these coins for various actions which helped a fellow Airman or a civilian. 

While being a great Wingman means looking out for your fellow Airman, it also simply means looking out for anybody. One of our coin recipients performed CPR on a woman who collapsed in a parking garage in San Francisco. Another Wingman treated a person in shock during a commercial airline flight to Sacramento. She took vital signs and reported the condition of the patient to ground medical technicians until the flight safely landed. These Wingmen stepped forward and helped a stranger in their time of need. I hope no one is presented with this type of situation, but if you are I trust each one of us to do what we can…and that's what makes a good Wingman. 

Many of our Airmen are outstanding Wingman to their fellow Airmen. A recent recipient exercised the skills he gained in suicide awareness training when a fellow Airman was showing suicidal tendencies. After recognizing his friend may be suicidal, he took him to the David Grant USAF Medical Center and stayed in the emergency room with him making sure he got the help he needed. By being a good Wingman, this Airman is now doing much better and back to full duty status. A couple other Wingmen helped a co-worker after a tragedy struck at home. Being there for others and lending a helping hand….that's what makes a good Wingman. 

Every weekend, several Airmen volunteer for Airmen Against Drunk Driving, ready to help their fellow Airman get a safe ride home. Some of these volunteers have driven as far as San Francisco or Sacramento to pick up Airmen who are too drunk to drive. In the last year, AADD volunteers have made more than 150 saves…that's what makes a good Wingman. 

There are many more similar stories about Wingmen at Team Travis. I encourage supervisors to highlight the exceptional Wingman. If anyone thinks a co-worker has gone above and beyond to help another please nominate them for a Wingman coin through the Commander's Action Group at 424-4434. 

Get out there and be a great Wingman! 

Even small gestures of caring can go a long way to either bringing a smile, saving a career, or even saving a life. We've proven that caring for others pays big dividends, so please be ready when your turn arises. 

BE PROUD!! BE SAFE!!