403rd Wing holds commanders calls

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
On Saturday, Col. Jennie R. Johnson, 403rd Wing commander, held her first commander’s calls since she and other Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 815th Airlift Squadron, 803rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and other 403rd Wing personnel returned from their deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve in May 2018.

The colonel held two separate commander’s calls back to back in the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility here so that award winners for the wing’s first and second quarters of 2018 could be recognized, along with various Air Force Reserve Command awards, recognitions for superior performer and hard charger of the Unit Effectiveness Inspection held this July, recent enlisted and officer promotions, selection board members, Community College of the Air Force graduates, and those who scored a 90 percent or above on their career development courses.

During the commander’s call for this unit training assembly weekend, Johnson mentioned how proud she was of the air drops the air crews performed while deployed to help deliver supplies and equipment to troops in the field, as well as how impressed she was with the maintainers for keeping the planes flying under such stressful conditions.

“They worked together, they bonded as a team, and they made it happen. They did a fantastic job throughout the deployment, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Johnson about the maintainers, air crew and other personnel who deployed this year.

Members from the wing’s safety program also were on hand to discuss proper hydration during the end of the summer and tailgating safety tips for this year’s fall season.

In addition, Nicole Mayzner, 403rd Wing director of psychological health, spoke to wing members about Suicide Prevention Month, which takes place every year in September. Even though suicide prevention is highlighted during this particular month, Mayzner encouraged wing members to be aware of the stressors people may be experiencing, and to “be there” for their wingmen year-round.

“Suicide prevention is not just limited to September, it’s supposed to be done ongoing throughout the year. It’s a time for you all to think about who you need to reach out to in your lives, and also for some of you guys to think, ‘maybe I need to reach out for myself,’” said Mayzner.

The 403rd recruiters also discussed the Get One program, encouraging wing members to share their adventures serving in the military in the hopes of referring new recruits who might be interested in joining the Air Force Reserve.

Johnson concluded the commander’s call with her hopes that everyone had a wonderful time at Family Day, which was held later that day at the Marina Park here at Keesler.