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"Year of the Family” focuses on areas to help families

  • Published
  • By Terry Higgins
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

Air Force Global Strike Command has proclaimed 2017 the Year of the Family, and has chosen to focus on Airmen and their families and topics affecting their quality of life.  There are five major focus areas which include where Airmen live, learn, play, pray and receive care.

Master Sgt. Erica and Christopher Stokes have seen many changes and improvements within their combined 35 year Air Force careers, and they are excited for “Year of the Family” improvements to impact the force in 2017.

During their tenure as a couple, both have deployed several times to different regions around the world.  While deployed, both members have taken advantage of opportunities offered by different agencies on base to spouses. 

“While Christopher was deployed, a major helping agency for me was the Child Development Center,” Erica said. “The CDC offered a program that allowed parents to have a break by providing child care.”

The Air Force Aid Society sponsors this program which is held at the CDC for children ages six weeks to five years of age and the Youth Center for ages six to 12. 

“The Give Parents a Break program is something that we are very proud of here at the Child Development Center,” said Marsha Dial, Child Development Operations manager. “The program is offered to deployed parents or parents that might be having personal concerns and simply need a break for a little while.”

The Airman and Family Readiness Center also offers programs to deployed spouses and their families in the form of trips to various destinations throughout Wyoming and the surrounding states.

“I took advantage of a trip that was offered while Erica was deployed,” Christopher said. “The trip offered me some great relaxation, and I was able to enjoy some time with the family.”

AFGSC is working to eliminate or minimize the burdens that families may feel with increases in operation tempos “Our Airmen are working around the clock and around the world to assure, deter and strike our adversaries. They deserve the best, something our command will work to make significant progress in “Year of the Family,” said Gen. Robin Rand, AFGSC commander.       

"Year of the Family" efforts will serve as the foundation for quality of life programs for 2017, as well as for future generations of Airmen. For more information on any of these services, please contact F.E. Warren Public Affairs office at 307-773-3381 or the Child Development Center at 307-773-3221.