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Wingman events in June 1944 and 2010

  • Published
  • By Lt Col Connie Alge
  • 315th Services Flight
CHARLESTON S.C. --  During the June Unit Training Assemblies, 315th Airlift Wing units will conduct "Wingman Day," a time designated for "Airmen to take care of Airmen." While we will pause in the day-to-day mission to focus on an Air Force-wide rise in suicides and private motor vehicle mishaps, we will also reinvigorate the Wingman concept: supporting each other during difficult times, having an awareness of another Airman in need and especially the personal strength needed to confront the Airman in trouble, and guiding him/her (and ourselves) to make healthy, safe, responsible choices using available resources.

The Wingman concept is nothing new. For example, on 6 June 1944 (and continuing through 24 July 1944), another Wingman Day was held, although that event is known to us as "D-Day." This date marked World War II's Operation Overlord, the invasion of 175,000 Allied troops along the Normandy coast of France to fight Nazi Germany. The "D" referred to the designated day (6 June) of the start of operations. This event was undoubtedly the defining point to make inroads and eventually defeat Hitler's regime. The stories of the troops who fought in that invasion include many instances of how a buddy (their Wingman) helped them reach the shore, kept them from being ambushed and killed, and kept them focused on the mission at hand, all for the greater good. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (who recently visited Charleston AFB), remarked at the 6 June 2010 observance of D-Day held at the National D-Day Memorial (at Bedford, Virginia), how today's servicemembers returning from the battlefields, like the troops of D-Day, have needs and invisible psychological wounds of war.

Fast forward 66 years from D-Day to now. Our 315th wing members are serving at home and all around the world. Duty and deployments bring a host of special challenges before the member departs, during the time away, and upon return, which may have lasting effects. No matter where serving, servicemembers are faced with many emotional, physical, financial, or other challenges: job (military or civilian), family, relationships, finances, health, post-traumatic stress disorders, etc. These strains can impact the member's job performance, mental well-being, relationships with family and others, increase undesirable behaviors--recklessness, irritability, unhealthy habits, abuse--and even possibly manifest suicidal tendencies. Our Airmen could be facing their own personal "D-Day," but one of distress, denial, depression, desperation, or destructive behaviors.

As a Wingman, we can serve in a defensive or offensive capacity. As defense, a Wingman looks after another member--he or she's got your back. As offense, a Wingman works and fights with another member, giving more firepower to the team and mission. The Wingman culture is especially pertinent to upholding our commitment to Air Force core values--integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do. If we strive to be good Wingmen, our commitment to others and the mission can only be better served.

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