Resiliency Day

Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th Airlift Wing commander, speaks with Airman 1st Class Dane Skinner, 86th Communications Squadron tactical line admin, during Resiliency Day in Hangar 1 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 9, 2012. Resiliency Day is an opportunity for Airmen of all ranks to take a break from normal duties and acknowledge achievements from the past few months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jordan Castelan)

Resiliency Day

Members of Team Ramstein participate in ring toss games during Resiliency Day in Hangar 1 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 9, 2012. Resiliency Day is an opportunity for Airmen of all ranks to take a break from normal duties and acknowledge achievements from the past few months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Holly Cook)

Resiliency Day

Colby Wollenman, Michigan State forward, signs a team picture for members of Team Ramstein during Resiliency Day in Hangar 1 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 9, 2012. Resiliency Day is an opportunity for Airmen of all ranks to take a break from normal duties and acknowledge achievements from the past few months. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Holly Cook)

Airmen participate in Resiliency Day

Published Nov. 16, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen from around base participated in a Resiliency Day here, Nov. 9.

Events during Resiliency Day included a commander's call, face painting and a bouncy castle for children, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a meet and greet with Michigan State University and University of Connecticut players.

"Resiliency Day allowed us to build Airmen and families who possess the physical, mental, social and spiritual skills to overcome life's challenges and persevere in our military service. Today we met in core groups and unit level activities; I had the opportunity to thank our Airmen for their response to the attack on our Embassy personnel in Benghazi. The 86th Airlift Wing has been working extremely hard and we used Resiliency Day to focus on people...and have some fun along the way," said Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde 86th AW commander, during the commander's call.

The day's events were a part of a larger plan of events, with the Armed Forces Classic being played in Hangar 5 at midnight.

"We actually combined our efforts from planning the ESPN events and got together with the Civil Engineer Group and Force Support squadrons to bring in aspect that would allow us to have a successful day," said Maj. Lorena Venegas, 86th Force Support Squadron operations officer. "We just had to ensure we got enough variety for our attendees to have fun."

For one participant, resiliency means being able to take care of one another.

"To me, resiliency is helping fellow Airmen by making sure my peers are taken care of," Airman 1st Class said George Hollowell, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "I think it also means to be united as a family as on and off of work and just making sure everyone is feeling okay."

These resiliency days allow Airmen to focus on the mission.

"Resiliency days we provide to our Airmen here allow them to take time from their hard work to decompress and rejuvenate themselves, so they can continue supporting the mission," Venegas said.

Events were capped off with a meet and greet with players from MSU's basketball team, who played against UConn in their NCAA season opener.

"It was wonderful to have all of our Airmen come out as well as their families to enjoy the events before watching the Spartans and Huskies battle it out," Venegas said.