Friday, Sept. 12, 2014

One family’s first deployment

Spending their last few moments together on the couch, Ashley Smith, wife of Senior Airman Nathan Smith, sits on her husband’s lap and quietly sheds a tear as she buries her head into his shoulder.
Bags of deployment gear are scattered around the living room, and the couple’s one-month notice of Smith’s deployment had come and gone. They only had a little bit of time left until one of the oldest military rituals would be renewed and Smith would grab his bags to leave for war.

Senior Airman Nathan Smith, a 61st Airlift Squadron aviation resource manager, loads up his deployment gear as his wife, Ashley, watches on Sept. 5 at Little Rock Air Force Base. There are many burdens military spouses must carry including the challenges of supporting their loved ones when they are called to serve overseas.

The four domains all Airmen should know
The Air Force released Air Force Instruction 90-506 in April 2014 in order to enhance the comprehensive development and resilience of all Airmen, whether military, civilian and their families. This instruction supports the Comprehensive Airman Fitness program. And though it is not a new program, some components have changed. For instance, the mental, social, physical and spiritual aspects of the program that were once called pillars are now domains.

Duty to intervene: Psychological first aid and active listening
September is World Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide remains an international public health concern as the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 years age group. Combating suicide is a community responsibility and the Air Force has made significant strides to provide education on risk factors and crisis intervention skills.

Lt. Gen. Everhart visits
Little Rock Air Force Base
Lt. Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, 18th Air Force commander, speaks with Team Little Rock leaders Sept. 4 during his first visit to Little Rock Air Force Base since taking command of the 18th Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Scott Poe)

Home     Contacts     The Leader    LRAFB Phone Numbers    Site Meter

Site Search:

Special Sections