Wing Training Day: more than meets the eye

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  While it might be frustrating to run into one of those signs, Wing Training Day is an important part of any unit's calendar and can serve many purposes, according to Wing officials. It might be bolstering skills that will be needed when an Airman deploys, or simply having a group discussion about how a unit is performing.

"It's important that we all take the time to stop and look at areas where we can improve," said 319th Air Base Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. David Duncan, "to take stock of what we're doing and how we can do better by and for our customers and our Air Force."

Some units here use the monthly training days to support other units, such as the 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, which operates a "Tunnel of Oppression" to spark discussion on topics ranging from substance abuse to domestic violence.

Meanwhile, the 319th Medical Group always tries to make the most of the monthly training days. It has to.

"A lot goes into coordination," said Maj. Scott Wilber, 319th MDG Aerospace Medicine flight commander and Exercise Evaluation Team chief, who added that training days are worked into patient appointment schedules that are filled up to 60 days in advance.

"We're trying to get trained and take care of patients," he said. "We don't have a lot of time."

Second Lt. Joseline Philip, 319th Medical Support Squadron medical readiness and logistics flight commander, is in charge of setting the agenda for the monthly training days for the 319th MDG. They usually begin with a commander's call before breaking out into separate teams to tackle the skill that needs enhancement.

"This month it's litter training," Philip said, adding that "just to physically get everyone together and have hands-on training ... [and] not depending on CBTs or e-mail" is what makes a training day effective.

Col. Christopher Mann, 319th ABW vice commander, said building training into the wing's schedule facilitates the best use of time.

"Wing Training Days allow us to maximize training opportunities and deliver the highest quality customer service experience while minimizing total downtime for vital base services," he said.

"The bottom line is that this is about doing our best to take care of the people we serve: our Airmen and their families."