News

Wing celebrates families with picnic Aug. 8

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Music, food, games (to include a chance to dunk senior leadership), and, of all things, getting your boating safety license, will all be available at the Aug. 8 Family Day picnic hosted by Col. William Flanigan, 446th Airlift Wing commander. The picnic starts at 11 a.m., at Heritage Hill (aka Overlook Park), McChord Air Force Base, Wash. 

According to Lt. Col. Ron Limes, 97th Airlift Squadron and primary event coordinator, the theme for this year's family day is "Celebrating the Family." 

"Our families sacrifice a lot to support their Reservists, especially over the past few years with our high operations tempo, deployments, exercises and inspections. This is our time to thank them and celebrate them for their service to our nation through their critical support of their Reservist," said Colonel Limes. 

Starting at 11 a.m., the day will be full of activities for the entire family of 446th AW Reservists. Children (and willing adults), will have the opportunity to test their speed in a sack race or a three-legged race, or even an obstacle course. Other games include tug-a-war, and the chance to put the wet on senior leadership at the 446th AW Airmen and Family Readiness Center's dunk tank. Nominations are being accepted for dunk tank candidates. Please submit nominations via phone or e-mail to Chief Master Sgt. Mary Smith, 97th Airlift Squadron at 982-3540, Carl Supplee, A&FRC, at 982-2755, or Master Sgt. Wendy Beauchaine, 446th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant at 982-9112. 

If you're more into less active events, feel free to wander down the hill to a C-17 static with aeromedical evacuation displays, or over to the McChord Air Control Tower to get a bird's eye view of the base. Tower tours will include the opportunity to try your hand at air traffic control with the air traffic control simulator next to the tower in Hangar 4. 

Other displays at the picnic include the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, whose representatives will offer boating safety licenses, which are required for boaters here. The Washington State Patrol will have a patrol car on display; the McChord Fire Department will bring out a fire truck, as well as Sparky the Fire Dog. And speaking of dogs, the Fish and Wildlife folks will bring out their bear-tracking canine and the 62nd Security Forces Squadron will have their military working dogs at the picnic. 

What's a picnic without food? Wing squadrons will have food booths set up, with all proceeds benefiting squadron morale funds. Planned offerings for the day include burgers, brauts, pulled pork, hot dogs, quesadillas, potato salad, fruit and green salads, corn on the cob, chili and garlic fries, nachos, watermelon, root beer floats, sno-cones, and soft serve ice cream. Beverages will be available for purchase and complimentary water will also be on hand. 

For those lucky enough to get a spot through their group representative, there will be two C-17 spouse orientation flights. These flights are restricted to civilian spouses of Reservists. Each flight will carry 35 people. Group points of contact are: 446th Operations Group - Donna Cole at 982-5651; 446th Mission Support Group and Wing Staff - Chief Master Sgt. Chris Dietz at 982-5457; 446th Maintenance Group - Chief Master Sgt. Dan Morris at 982-3210; 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron - Chief Master Sgt. Sonja Smith at 982-3932; 446th Aeromedical Staging Squadron - Senior Master Sgt. Rob Cutchin at 982-5511.  Call your group POC to sign up.