Sheppard appreciates permanent party Airmen at BBQ Published June 23, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Permanent party Airmen were shown appreciation at a six-hour barbeque held by the Air Force Sergeants Association and the First Sergeants Council June 20. "Permanent party Airmen are the backbone of most organizations. They're doing their job and doing it well while they train, work on Career Development Courses, and (some Airmen spend a lot of their time going to school,)" said Master Sgt. Dana Wood, the AFSA president She said telling the Airmen they are appreciated is different than showing it. The barbeque included a dunk tank to dunk their first sergeants, volleyball, horseshoes and enough to feed the approximately 180 Airmen that live in the permanent party dormitories. Sergeant Wood said they wanted to give the permanent party Airmen a chance to start their weekend early. "We want them to have fun, relax, and enjoy a free lunch," she said. "It was a good idea because we got to see people we never get a chance to see," said Airman 1st Class Michael Brown, information manager for the 982nd Training Group. Sergeant Wood said AFSA wants to provide activities for Sheppard members beyond just Airmen-in-Training. AFSA is an organization for all enlisted members and wants to be involved with more permanent party Airmen.