Mobilized wing members, families attend resource fair

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Mobilized Liberty Wing members and their families attended an information and resource fair April 10 at the Eagles Nest picnic area here.

"We wanted to have a venue that would provide the spouses of mobilized wing members with some contacts they may need while their husband or wife is away," said Amy Bright, Key Family Member Program chairperson. "When my husband (Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th Airlift Wing commander) was deployed I was grateful to have people here who would call me and make sure I was doing okay."

Along with the Key Family Member Program, which supplied the drinks and amusements for the day, other service providers included: Military and Family Life Consultant Program, Air Force Family Advocacy Program, 512th AW Airman and Family Readiness, 512th AW Finance Office, Military OneSource, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and American Veterans of Delaware.

"We want to tell these reservists that we're here for them," said Dawn Premock, AMVETS commander for Delaware. "AMVETS keeps a connection going between us here at home and the deployed member. For example, we are currently sending humidifiers over to troops in Afghanistan in order to combat the dry environment. And today, we provided the food for the event."

Aside from being a vector for information, the mid-day gathering functioned as a networking opportunity for the 512th AW families.

"We'd like our Airmen's families to meet others going through the same thing they're experiencing," said Master Sgt. Laura Coseglia, 512th Airman and Family Readiness director. "Having that network of people can be a very important part of the families' lives while their spouse or parent is away. It's good to have a strong support system."

Events like the resource fair make being apart from loved ones easier and provide a venue for the spouses and children of wing members to relax and have fun, said Jen Chagaris, wife of Maj. Mark Chagaris, 326th Airlift Squadron pilot.

"There are a few of the wives here whose husbands are part of the 326th (AS), and we get together and have each other to lean on," said the mother of three children who attended the event. "My husband is on a mission right now and I actually heard about this event from (Emily Shown, wife of Maj. Josh Shown, 326th AS pilot)."

Approximately 300 Liberty Wing reservists are activated for roughly six months, providing sustainment for Operation Enduring Freedom's movement of 30,000 additional U.S. troops. This mobilization supports President Obama's planned troop build-up, which was announced in December. The Airmen include flight crew members, maintenance technicians, aerial porters and support personnel.