SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Twenty-seven single Airmen from Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Volkel AB and Kleine Brogel AB attended a Single Airmen Resiliency Retreat, at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, Germany July 12-15, 2019.
The retreat was for single Airmen within 52nd Fighter Wing geographically separated units across Europe.
“The main reason we put on this event is to give people a chance to meet each other,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Wendy Ramirez, 470th Air Base Squadron religious affairs journeyman. “It gives them that sense of community that you might not get being at a small base and small GSU. We wanted people to get that sense of community and give them a weekend where they can make connections to be more resilient while stationed abroad.”
Airmen were able to meet and connect with each other while learning and working on resiliency.
“Being resilient is important because life is an uphill battle most of the time,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Rashaad Taylor, 470th ABS postal clerk. “You have your good days, but you also have your bad. You have to find ways to release that bad energy, to bounce back.”
During the weekend, Airmen learned about the four pillars of the Air Force and completed a four lenses assessment.
“One of the things that stuck with me the whole time was when we went over emotional wellness just being able to understand who you are and how to function properly for yourself,” said Taylor. “It goes along ways with your day to day life. People don’t really realize it. In the future just work at it, you realize things are getting better, try to do better every day.”
Airmen were able to put the teachings into practice.
“I wanted Airmen on this trip to be able to come out here and get the resiliency training but I also wanted it to be a getaway to unwind and recharge,” said Ramirez. “And to tie the weekend in with the resiliency aspect, there is a lot more to resiliency than people usually think. People usually don’t think about the physical aspect. I really wanted Airmen to get that opportunity and I feel like that has been done this weekend.”
Since Airmen were able to connect and recharge during the weekend, they were better prepared to return back to work.
“We put this event together because we know our Airmen are working so hard,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Cyriacus Onyejegbu, 470th ABS chaplain. “They need time to relax and reflect about themselves and to continue to do a wonderful job. We want to give our Airmen not just the theoretical part of resiliency, but something that will enhance their life and help them enjoy themselves as well.”