Photo By Senior Airman Caitlin Diaz-Gorsi | Senior Airman Connor Odea, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron craftsman, and Capt. Adam Roe,...... read more read more
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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - The 56th Fighter Wing Chapel Office provides mission support to all Airmen, their families and anyone with base access through various services and events to contribute to the well-being of their physical, mental and emotional health.
Wing chaplains provide spiritual support for anyone who needs it.
“We provide or provide for,” said Capt. Robyn Kleinschmidt, 56th FW chaplain. “That means we are here to provide for someone spiritually, and if we can’t [then] we have to provide for. If somebody comes to me who’s Jewish and I am Christian, I can’t do a lot of the Jewish rights. That means I have to connect that person with someone who can provide for them.”
When chaplains are not spiritually providing services, they build connections and create opportunities for Airmen. Kleinschmidt said they split their efforts across each of the units on base to provide the support Airmen here need.
“I think the biggest role of a chaplain is to build relationships,” said Kleinschmidt. “You do that by getting out there and getting to know people. We are in the logistics readiness squadrons, the maintenance units and the operational units. It’s really cool that we are amongst our folks.”
In 2019, the chapel hosted five deployed family dinners, multiple family retreats, marriage retreats and single-Airmen events. The chapel also hosts weekly Wednesday dinners along with their traditional religious education and mass.
“The trips and events I have been on and have volunteered for have benefitted me in a lot of ways,” said Airman 1st Class Bailey Hayes, 56th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, mental health technician. “I’ve met new people, experienced new things, as well as opportunities to reach out to the community. It has made me appreciate the opportunities I am given.”
Between the chaplains and volunteers at Luke, the staff has unparalleled support for the Airmen and their families, said Staff Sgt. Lisa Beamer, 56th FW readiness and training religious affairs noncommissioned officer in charge
“The team is made of very strong, unique, intelligent individuals whose strengths combine in this amazing synergy,” said Beamer. “Everyone here has your back no questions asked and will be there laughing in your best moments and be there walking with you in your darkest.”
The chaplain team’s work of maintaining the spiritual, as well as the mental and emotional components of Comprehensive Airman Fitness, ensures the 56th FW’s continuous success in producing the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen.
“The best part is the relationships,” said Kleinschmidt. “I love it because I get to walk with everyone. I tell people I have the best job in the Air Force.”
For more information about events or services hosted by the chapel, call (623) 856-6211.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2020 10:26 |
| Story ID: | 360908 |
| Location: | LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Luke Chaplains Ready to Provide, by SrA Caitlin Diaz-Gorsi, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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