Wingman Day to refocus Airmen Published Dec. 10, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Training Wing has dedicated a day to explore the Wingman concept and all it entails. The Annual 82nd Training Wing Wingman Day is scheduled for Dec. 17. Wingman Day begins at 7:30 a.m. with events designed to meet each squadron or group's needs. The day occurs once every year to enhance an Airman's understanding of being a wingman. "Each year, we set aside one day to refocus our Wingman skills and reinvigorate the concept of Airmen taking care of Airmen," said Chap. (Capt.) Jason Klodnicki, a Wingman Day coordinator and chaplain from the 82nd TRW. "The culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen is an indispensable part of our Air Force." The day was created for several reasons regarding Airmen's morale and welfare. "Wingman Day was created to strengthen the morale and welfare of units by devoting time to building relationships between co-workers and discussing topics like suicide prevention, responsible drinking behavior, financial management and identification and intervention of troubled Airmen," the chaplain said. The chaplain said when there's an effective Wingman Day, suicide and drunk driving rates decrease which is ultimately reaching the goal. He said another goal is to remember the individual Airmen and the important role they each play in the Air Force mission. Chaplain Klodnicki said, "(Most of) Wingman Day belongs to commanders; that is, to design the day's activities using the Wingman concept as the center of their discussions." Some of the planned activities for the wing include: a wing commanders' leadership call, group and squadron discussions, a wing-wide wingman run and the presentation of several awards. "Our goal (is to) offer Sheppard personnel a pause from their daily routines in order to participate in meaningful interactions and gather feedback on Wingman Day activities," the chaplain said.