Ramstein Wings kick off 2016 AFAF campaign

Col. Charles Henderson, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing vice commander, speaks in front of a crowd of Airmen during the Air Force Assistance Fund kickoff March 21, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Henderson, alongside other base leaders, came to start the campaign by talking to Airmen about the importance of the program and how it can help those in need. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Ramstein Wings kick off 2016 AFAF campaign

Brig. Gen. Jon T. Thomas, 86th Airlift Wing commander, signs a pledge to kick off the 2016 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign March 21, 2016, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The program is designed to allow Airmen to help others through the program’s charitable affiliates that provide support to Airmen and their dependents, including those in emergencies and who need help paying for educational costs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer)

Ramstein Wings kick off 2016 AFAF campaign

Published March 24, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicked off after a tri-wing command team signed the initial document to start it March 21, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The annual campaign is designed to allow Airmen to help others through the charities that provide support to Airmen, their dependents and even surviving spouses. The funds can be used in many ways, including helping members in emergencies and who need help paying for educational costs.

According to Capt. Montanna Ewers, 86th Maintenance Squadron operations officer, the kick off was a success.

"The simple fact that senior leadership from three wings' command teams came to kick off the campaign speaks volumes to how important AFAF is to Team Ramstein," said Ewers. "What made the event even more impactful was when those command teams shared their thoughts on what the fund is, what it does and why it's important."

However, according to event organizers, the most impactful part of the event came when two Airmen shared their personal stories with the crowd on how they were helped during their times of need.

One of the two presenters, Tech. Sgt. Orlando Lujan, U.S. Air Forces in Europe A5/8/9 Plans, Programs and Analyses NCO in charge, described how the AFAF helped him through troubles with his car.

"When I was a young Airmen and didn't make a lot of money, I had this [junk car] that just broke apart on me one day," said Lujan. "With a wife and kids, I was struggling to try and pay it off and had too much pride to ask for help. My first sergeant at the time saw this and guided me to AFAF, where I was given a no-interest loan to pay my car maintenance bills."

According to Ewers, stories such as these bring the program to life.

"Often, Airmen will consider the AFAF as this intangible pot of money they'll never see or need," said Ewers. "When these two Airmen shared their stories, they brought it home to all in attendance."

Airmen can donate to the AFAF campaign at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx.