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20th AMXS expresses importance of key spouses

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron leadership held a spouses' all-call at the Carolina Skies Club and Conference Center here, August 5.

The all-call was held to inform spouses on the Key Spouse program. Currently the squadron has four active members. The Key Spouses program is a group of military spouses that act as a liaison between the commander and other squadron spouses.

In recent weeks, Gen. Mark Welsh III, chief of staff of the Air Force, released a memorandum expressing the importance of the Key Spouses program.

"I believe squadrons are the backbone of our Air Force," said Welsh. "While you lead and connect with your Airmen, also remember you have something in your tool kit that joins you to their families - key spouses."

Maj. Michael Fields, 20th AMXS commander, called together the squadron's Key Spouses group and spoke to them about services he can provide, his goals as a commander, and conveyed the value of the program.

Due to the high operations tempo of Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; aircraft fly frequently, keeping maintainers on the flightline for up to 12 hours a day.

"As spouses you deserve to spend time with your families," said Fields. "I'm going to try to give that time back to you."

Along with Fields, representatives from The American Red Cross, the Airman and Family Readiness center, and Military Life and Family Counselor talked to the spouses about how they can assist with deployments or anything else that might be needed.

Dixie Harris, wife of Col. Bryan Harris, 20th Maintenance Group commander, attended the all-call.

"At a previous base, we had a situation where a deployed Airman's spouse passed away, with three children at home" said Harris. "The key spouses worked through the First Sergeant and the Commander to utilize base and community resources, such as providing food and arranging childcare, during a very hard time for this family."

Although key spouses do well helping one another on their own, having squadron leadership support is reassuring.

"For a commander to step up on the stage and personally give out his phone number to people is pretty special," said Harris. "It is really welcoming to see that. It makes us, as spouses, really feel included."