442nd Fighter Wing hosts Yellow Ribbon event for security forces spouses

by Maj. David Kurle
442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/26/2009 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 442nd Fighter Wing played host to some honored guests here Sep. 26, providing a look at the unit reserved for distinguished visitors.

Spouses and family members of deployed Citizen Airmen from the wing's 442nd Security Forces Squadron received a day of tours, discussions, classes and even lunch as part of the wing's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program.

The Yellow Ribbon program is designed to assist military members and their families with the rigors of reintegration following extended combat deployments.

Forums included a spouses connection activity, marriage enrichment seminar, as wekk as classes covering post-traumatic stress disorder, financial management and the stresses of multiple deployments.

Families were also treated to tours of the A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and the A-10 flight simulator.

Air Force Reservists from the 442nd SFS here are currently deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, to provide security for the base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deploys more than any other unit in the 442nd FW.



Family members of deployed reservists from the 442nd Fighter Wing's 442nd Security Forces Squadron were the guests of honor at a Yellow Ribbon Program event at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., September 26, 2009. Here, Rose and her 1-year-old son, Scott, tour the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II in the wing's 5-Bay Hangar. In addition to tours, the event featured forums for spouses and family members on topics such as marriage enrichment, post-traumatic stress disorder, financial management and stresses caused by multiple deployments. The Yellow-Ribbon Program is designed to assist military members and their families deal with the rigors of reintegration following an extended combat deployment. The 442nd SFS deploys more than any other unit in the 442nd FW, with Air Force reservists currently deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. The 442nd Fighter Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Whiteman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res



Maj. Todd Riddle, A-10 pilot from the 303rd Fighter Squadron, explains an A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit to Mason, 10, and Samantha, 5, during a Yellow-Ribbon program event at the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., September 26, 2009. The Yellow-Ribbon program is designed to assist Air Force Reservists and their familly members deal with the stress of extended combat deployments. Mason and Samantha are the children of a 442nd Security Forces Squadron Citizen Airman currently deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, many of the wing's security forces members are deployed to provide air-base defense at deployed locations. The 442nd Security Forces Squadron deploys more than any other unit in the wing, which has a proud tradition of deployments for the Global War Against Terror. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. David Kurle) Hi-res

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