JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009 through July 2010, Year of the Air Force Family.
During this time, bases across the globe focused on improving programs geared toward areas of concern for Air Force families.
"An Airman's deployment is really a family's deployment," said Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force. "Airmen expect us to provide a stable environment for them and their families and doing so is a part of our heritage and culture."
Operation K.U.D.O.S (Kids Understanding Deployment Operations) is a free program the Andrews Community Airmen's Center is offering from 8 a.m. to noon July 23. Youth center kids are scheduled to "process" from 8 to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon is open for non-youth center children. The children go through a mock deployment line and get dog tags. The program is designed to help children understand what their parent goes through.
Another free family event, The Year of the Air Force Family Joint Base Andrews Picnic, is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 23 adjacent to the Gateway Pool.
"This year's base-wide picnic is being held in conjunction with the Year of the Air Force Family program," said Jerome Spearman, 316th Force Support Squadron director of marketing. "This annual event is held to thank the base employees; military, civilians, contractors, retirees and their families for their dedication and hard work throughout the year."
A variety of fun filled activities will be featured throughout the day to include a mini carnival with a variety of attractions, music, special appearances from four Washington Redskins cheerleaders, Spiderman, Batman and Bat Girl, a free catered lunch that will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a special area will also be set up for the kids to enjoy ice cream, snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy, Mr. Spearman said.
Last, but not least, is the DePLAYment program. Air Force Services Agency officials initiated the program to provide families of deployed military members with free outdoor recreation programs, free youth classes, free sports programs and free hourly child care during a parent's deployment.
So, who's eligible?
"The program is for families where the servicemember was deployed for at least 30 days or on a 365 PCS in support of an Operation anytime from July 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010," said Heather Fales, 316 FSS event coordinator. "Unfortunately, Air National Guard members are not eligible for the program after returning home, but active duty and Reserve members can use the program after coming home."
How do you get the DePLAYment Tag Passes?
"Bring a copy of the orders to outdoor recreation, airmen and family readiness center, youth center or the bowling center to receive your tag passes," Ms. Fales said. "Register the passes at www.myairforcelife.com., and then go receive some free stuff."
According to the DePLAYment Program Benefits website, http://www.myairforcelife.com
/dePLAYment/benefits.htm, the DePLAYment Tag Pass Packs eligibility requirements are:
- Air Force active duty members with children and/or spouse, who have an Department of Defense ID card, - upon issuance of deployment orders in support of an active operation.
- Deployed Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves personnel when families are located at a participating Air Force base upon issuance of deployment orders or at certain AFRS bases where the family portion of the program is implemented.
- Due to the types of funding, ANG members are not eligible for programs after returning home.
- Identified Air Force Wounded Warriors, under the AFW2 program.
- Families of Fallen Warriors.
- Army, Navy, Marines active duty members only when officially assigned to an active Air Force Base with qualified family members.
For more information on the program benefits, e-mail 316fss.css@afncr.af.mil or check out the Andrews FSS Facebook page.