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AFDW commander encourages Airmen, families to be involved

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Ashleigh Peck
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
Joint Base Andrews, Md. --  Maj. Gen. Darren W. McDew, Air Force District of Washington commander, held a commander's call June 15 at the Joint Base Andrews Base Theater to address multiple issues and recognize award winners.

More than 250 people gathered to hear the commander and several representatives discuss issues including: Summer safety tips; updates on Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay; the transition of Controlled Spend Account cards to Government Travel Cards; opportunities available through the AFDW Volunteer Council; and, information from the base Health and Wellness Center.

Terry Pearce, AFDW Safety, talked about the 2012 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign themed "Safety - It's Personal," and told the audience the decisions they make affect their friends, families and the Air Force community as a whole.

The Air Force's annual summer safety campaign runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

"During the first couple weeks of the 'Critical Days of Summer' this year, the Air Force has had five fatalities off duty," Pearce said. "The two previous years we had zero."

Pearce discussed the importance of staying vigilant and aware of safety hazards as Airmen participate in summer activities these upcoming months.

Other speakers included Stacie Ryans, CSA/GTC staff program coordinator; Marcus Lea, personnel; Nicole Simpson, Health and Wellness Center health promotion technician; and, Capt. Alex Stanton, Command Volunteer Coordinator Officer in Charge.

Stanton covered upcoming volunteer projects and some of the incentives Airmen and their families have to volunteer. "The SHARE program is a rewards program for volunteers," said Stanton. The program affords volunteers the opportunity to get discounted groceries after volunteering a certain amount of time at an AFDW-organized event.

McDew encouraged all Airmen and their families to get involved in volunteer events as well as retirement and change of command ceremonies.

"A retirement ceremony is for everyone else," said McDew. "It's not about you. It's about your family and friends. It's about closure and thanking you for contributing and serving your nation well and faithfully."

He also highlighted the importance of changes of commands and involving families.

"If you work with that organization, you should be there [at the change of command] to say good-bye to the old person and say hello to the new person. That is institutional," McDew said. "If they have family members participating, your families should be invited to attend as well. We tend to exclude our families from those events and they are family events."

McDew concluded the call with a few brief comments about his nomination for promotion and spoke about his possible replacement, Maj. Gen. Sharon K.G.Dunbar.

"While I am here, I am proud to be your commander and I will keep doing the things you need me to do every single day," McDew said. "If the transition happens, I pledge to you that Maj. Gen. Dunbar will get every ounce of my energy to prepare her for all the things you need her to know before she becomes your commander. I don't want her to start over on day one; I want her to be running at full speed on day one."

"I've known [General Dunbar] her for a long time," McDew said. "She is a tremendous officer and I feel really good that she is the one who will be taking care of you."

The commander's call was also an opportunity to recognize various individuals.

Award winners included Master Sgt. Cameron Rogers, 1st Helicopter Squadron maintainer; Valerie Lewis, commander's action group speech writer; Staff Sgt. Jeremy Boggs, contracting manager; and, Staff Sgt. Nicole Green, protocol NCO.

Air Force District of Washington is the single Air Force voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint solutions within the National Capital Region. AFDW organizes, trains, equips and provides forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment, homeland operations and ceremonial support within the NCR and worldwide. One of the U.S. Air Force's three direct reporting units, the command is located on Joint Base Andrews, Md.