Wingman Day reinforces year-round culture Published Nov. 9, 2006 By Senior Airman Jessica Switzer 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Airmen around the world will be spending Nov. 9 celebrating the wingman culture they live year-round. For Peterson Airmen the day starts with a Wingman Call at 8 a.m. at the base auditorium and chapel. "We really want this Wingman Day to be fun and informative and at the same time to help Airmen be more aware of their teammates and how to help them," said Col. Jay G. Santee, 21st Space Wing commander. "This is a chance for everyone to get out of the office environment, get to know the people they work with and build those connections that allow a wingman culture to develop." In 2004, then Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John Jumper wrote a sight picture focusing on the way the world had changed since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the stress Airmen face. To combat this stress General Jumper talked about creating a culture of support where Airmen across the board look out for their wingmen. The Air Force began taking a day in November to celebrate the Wingman Culture and focus attention on the stresses Airmen face. Wingman Day 2005 focused on suicide awareness and how Airmen can help their fellows when depression and stress get to be too much. This year the focus is on other issues that can be detrimental to Airmen. "At the Wingman Call, we'll talk about things like safety, suicide prevention, sexual assault awareness, tobacco cessation and several other issues that affect Airmen," said Col. Liz Anderson, 21st Space Wing individual mobilization augmentee to the commander. "Then at 9 a.m. the wing will see a professional stage performance called 'Remote Control' dealing with relationship abuse and respect that will help Airmen learn about effective violence and sexual assault prevention. "Additionally a small group of Airmen will perform a skit. The group, The Wingman Players, has performed at several past wing calls," she said. Teams from around the base will form to participate in the Amazing Wingman Race after the Wingman Call and "Remote Control" demonstrations. A series of challenges and runs where the 20-member teams, composed of a specified number of Airmen and civilians in certain age brackets, will compete to receive the new Wingman Coin. "The race is a good way for Airmen to get to know others in their group and gives them a chance to either compete for their unit or root for their team," said Todd Wynn, 721st Civil Engineer Division base civil engineer. "We wanted to do something fun that related to Wingman Day and gave people the chance to participate in some friendly competition." Units will then break for lunch together and individual activities designed to strengthen morale and welfare of the units through group activities, discussion and teambuilding activities. "The point is to get Airmen thinking about the people they work with and actively planning for events that could come up in the future," Colonel Anderson said. "We want them to start thinking about each other and know when something is wrong. "This is also a time for commanders, first sergeants and unit leadership to look at the climate in their organizations and identify problems and set goals for the next year. All of this is a good way to build a solid team and encourage a wingman culture."