Photo By Capt. Cheran Campbell | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Neil Thaker (left) and Staff Sgt. Lauren Henderson (right),...... read more read more
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Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, N.Y. – Members of the 106th Rescue Wing participated in a virtual Yellow Ribbon event hosted by the New York Army National Guard on May 4 and 5.
The Yellow Ribbon Program initiative is designed to assist service members and their families in preparing for, enduring, and reintegrating after deployments through a series of targeted events.
Lisa D'Agostino, the 106th Family Readiness Group manager and the Yellow Ribbon coordinator, said the Air National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program contract was not renewed, therefore the Air Guard units had to a find cost-effective way to support Airmen and their families through deployment cycles.
"We had about 30 Airmen that were required to complete a post-Yellow Ribbon event," D'Agostino said. "I found out that the New York Army National Guard was hosting a virtual two-half-day event.”
D’Agostino explained the practicality of the virtual event.
Our members were able to complete their drill duties in the morning and then had the afternoon to participate in the workshops and received valuable information regarding entitlement, VA benefits, and much more, she added.
D'Agostino emphasized the benefits of hosting events either on-station or virtually.
"In the past, Yellow Ribbon event costs would be astronomical and poorly attended," she said. "Having on-site events or virtual events… can provide less stress, better attendance, and possibly more family participation."
Senior Airman Raphael Tavares, a 106th Security Forces defender, shared his positive experience with both pre-deployment and post-deployment Yellow Ribbon workshops.
"The pre-deployment Yellow Ribbon workshops were great," Tavares said. "I enjoyed the extracurricular grants for kids, the information on finance and budgeting, and the emotional support for dealing with being separated from loved ones."
Tavares also found the post-deployment virtual Yellow Ribbon events timely and beneficial.
"The information from the New York State Department of Labor was useful," he said. "I used the kid's grant to put my 4-year-old daughter in gymnastics and swimming!"
As a civilian, Tavares works as a doorman in Manhattan and has witnessed many members struggling to find jobs upon returning home.
"I appreciated the job placement assistance offered during the virtual workshops," he said.
Capt. Damina Townes, the 106th Equal Opportunity director, also attended the virtual event and shared her thoughts.
"There was a lot of very helpful information, resources and contacts," Townes said. "I appreciated the variety and breadth of the relevant resources including educational, health, financial, and career.”
By partnering with the Army National Guard for this virtual Yellow Ribbon event, the 106th Rescue Wing ensured its Airmen and families received essential resources and support throughout the deployment cycle, D’Agostino said.
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2024 17:18 |
| Story ID: | 473846 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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