Wingman Intervention initiative seeks to highlight stories of good deeds Published Dec. 13, 2013 By Teresa Reinhard Community Support Coordinator KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Have you ever been caught in the act of doing something....good? Or do you know about a good deed a wingman did to help another or even one's self when heading toward a bad decision or risky behavior? But then the situation took a turn for the positive due to a courageous or compassionate intervention. Air Force Materiel Command and Kirtland wants to hear stories of wingmen doing the right thing - being alert to danger, getting involved, and taking action to protect wingmen. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, AFMC commander, launched the "Wingman Initiative" to highlight stories of Airmen who took action to keep themselves and/or their wingman safe. During the spring/fall 2013 AFMC Wingman Days, a concerted effort was made to provide Airmen with the skills and confidence needed to safely intervene when they see fellow Airmen entering into potentially harmful situations, both on and off duty. "It's scary for one to admit when they need help, but it is even scarier for one to interject oneself into a volatile and sometimes personal issue," said Chief Master Sgt. John Dougherty, command chief master sergeant for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and the 377th Air Base Wing. "During Wingman Day, we stressed to our military and civilian team members to be bold and courageous - actively seek and accept help to build the coping skills necessary to handle the difficult challenges we face in today's turbulent environment." The Wingman Intervention initiative is a way to capture, acknowledge and highlight real-life instances where Airmen took action to keep themselves and their wingmen safe. Leaders at all levels are asked to be aware of situations where their personnel recognized at-risk behaviors and proactively intervened to keep self and others safe. These "teachable" moments can encourage similar behaviors in others. "You might not expect that your observation or experience could be one of life's 'teachable moments,' but it's worth taking the time to share," said Col. Heather Pringle, 377th Air Base Wing vice commander. "You might make a connection or offer insight to someone who was previously isolated. If we continue to accumulate these moments, they can have a bigger effect, one Airman at a time, in strengthening our Air Force." Narratives of wingman interventions will be forwarded and reviewed by the AFMC helping agencies team, who will disseminate selected stories AFMC-wide as "teachable" moments highlighting the power of being a proactive wingman. Only the identity and contact information of the submitter is obtained, while the identities of both the individual deemed "at risk" and the wingman "intervener" are not disclosed to protect privacy. Commanders, directors, first sergeants, and supervisors at all levels are encouraged to promote this initiative within their units and report interventions. To request a copy of the Wingman Intervention submission form, email teresa.reinhard@us.af.mil or call 846-6427. We want to hear stories of Airmen doing the right thing.