The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing last week opened an Airman and Family Readiness Center at its undisclosed operating location in Southwest Asia, becoming the first Air Force unit in the region to host this type of facility, stated wing officials. “We are opening up new services to accommodate the families” as they make a permanent-change-of-station move here, said Teresa Carrillo, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron AFRC team lead. She added, “It’s important they know we are here to support them any way possible throughout their transition.” Daniel Ginsberg, USAF’s assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, attended the center’s Aug. 29 ribbon cutting. The facility provides many of the same programs offered at stateside installations, said wing officials in an Aug. 31 release. Jeanette Wicks, wife of CMSgt. Rory Wicks, 379th AEW command chief, called the center “a wonderful amenity” that “truly shows the commitment the Air Force has to providing the best opportunities available to support the airmen and their families.” (379th AEW report by SrA. Bryan Swink)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
