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Team Shaw hosts Fall Family Picnic

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  • By 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing hosted its first Fall Family Picnic at the Sports Complex, here, Nov. 21.

Team Shaw leadership created an annual event where all Team Shaw members could bring their friends and families to build connections within the Shaw community. The picnic was an opportunity to enhance combat readiness through the connections made between families, teens, and single Airmen.

"Family Day was an awesome event that offered families a fun filled day to make memories together," said Danya McKinney, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McKinney, 20th Fighter Wing command chief. "Even better, it was all at no cost. I hope it becomes a tradition that the Shaw community can look forward to in the future."

The event capitalized on the community aspect of 20th FW leadership's four C's: community, core values, combat readiness, and compliance.

To build strength within a community, that community must be connected through relationships and benevolence. Only through the strength of connection can Airmen and loved ones be truly combat ready so when they leave to deploy, their focus is not on their loved one at home, but on the mission, said McKinney.

"I think it is really helpful when people interact with each other because of the mission here," said Tech. Sgt. Evan Singleton, 20th FSS Airman and Family Readiness Center NCO. "We have a lot of deployments going in and out. Community ties in with combat readiness to prepare Airmen and their families, making sure the 20th Fighter Wing meets its mission."

Approximately 400 Team Shaw members attended the event which offered face painting, pumpkin smashing, pumpkin painting, inflatables, sumo wrestling, and pugil stick competitions.

"My family had a great time at the Fall Family Picnic," said Megan Pitts, wife of Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Pitts, 20th FW chaplain. "It was a beautiful day full of food, fun, and fellowship with our base community."

The games provided gave Airmen and families an opportunity to work with others through healthy competition. More importantly, the event provided a platform to make connections with others on base, said Singleton.

Rising IV Airmen were given the opportunity to organize the 20th FW event to promote professional growth and leadership skills.

"The picnic challenged us as newer Airmen to organize a large scale event while still ensuring the message 20th FW leadership wanted to push was well received," said Airman 1st Class Andrea Raudales, 20th Force Support Squadron relocations technician.

Due to the overwhelming success of the Fall Family Picnic, Team Shaw plans to make it an annual event.