Deployment info, awareness provided to Airmen, families at expo

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Zachary Wolf
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted its first deployment expo to allow military and family members an opportunity to learn more about the base and community resources provided to deploying or returning personnel here, Aug. 29.

More than 400 Airmen and families witnessed firsthand the services available as well as participated in the family-friendly atmosphere. 

"This [expo] allows [attendees] to have that personal contact in a friendly environment," said Windy Scott, 23d Force Support Squadron exceptional family member program manager and family support coordinator. "This allows them the opportunity to have that one-on-one time to ask that question... to really be aware of all our agencies on Moody and what they do to support [the Airmen and families] and to learn about some resources in the community that maybe they were not even aware of.

"Not only do our active-duty members have to be prepared, but our families, that are left behind have to manage without that person," Scott added.

There were multiple sources of community support agencies in attendance ranging from the humane society to a literacy center.

"Our community always loves an opportunity to come on base and share their resources," Scott said.

Besides community resources, base agencies were represented at the expo also. Attendees could ask finance questions to members of the 23d Comptroller Squadron or get more information about services the Chapel offers.

"We have a variety of different events that we hold," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Erica Jones, 23d Wing Chapel chaplain's assistant. "For the single Airmen in the dorms, every month on the fourth Tuesday, we have the dorm resident dinners that are completely free to them. [For those that are married], we offer marriage seminars, which we have one coming up next month, and also for the children we have different programs at the chapel.

"[These programs] would be important to those deployed or the families of deployed members because it builds community and it's a place for them to worship and express their free exercise of religion," Jones added. "That's what we are here for, we are another helping agency."

Scott mentioned that information and awareness of what's available can really help the military community and that is one reason why she feels this expo is important.

"You never know what's going to come up during a deployment," Scott said. "What happens when you need a resource, where do you go to for that? That's what the Airmen and Family Readiness [Center] is for; for that information and as a referral resource center."

For more information on deployment programs, contact the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at 229-257-3333.