DePLAYment tags arrive at McConnell

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Families of deployed Airmen can now enjoy the benefits of free or reduced fees for McConnell fitness classes, bowling games, hourly childcare and other family programs with the DePLAYment tags.

Airmen who deployed or will deploy from July 2009 to July 2010 are eligible for these tags and can receive them by providing a copy of their orders to the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Guard and Reserve member's families are also eligible for the benefits, but only during a deployment.

"This is an Air Force-wide initiative directly as part of the Year of the Air Force Family," said Kimberly Heiner, AFRC director. "Programs like this show military families that Air Force leadership is concerned about the stresses of deployed families, and recognize the need to provide relief by developing these types of programs."

After registering with the AFRC, members will receive their tags and can activate their account at www.myairforcelife.com, a Web site recently launched by Air Force officials to help Airmen stay connected.

The tags resemble military dog tags and include a pre-printed number code unique to each family member, Ms. Heiner said.

Once registered, families can use the tags to qualify for free or reduced fee programs at McConnell during an Airman's deployment or upon the Airman's return from a deployment.

These programs include but are not limited to:

· Free bowling at Tornado Alley. This includes shoe rental, use of lane and three games, Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 316-759-6187.
· Free Bouncy Castle Days at the youth center - Feb. 21, March 21, April 18, May 16 and June 20. For more information, call 316-759-4071.
· Free Family Movie Night at the youth center - Feb. 13 to 27, March 13 to 27, April 10 to 24, May 8 to 22, June 12 to 26, July 10 to 24. For more information, call 316-759-4071.
· Special reading events throughout the year at the base library. For more information contact call 316-759-4207.
· Fifty percent off Tae Kwon Do classes at the fitness center. For more information, call 316-759-4010.
· Ten hours of child care for each child (based on availability) at the Child Development Center. For more information, call 316-759-4222.

The discounts offered for weekend events were enough to encourage Amanda Chastin, wife of Staff. Sgt. Beau Chastin of the 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, to obtain the tags.

"This is my husband's third deployment in four years, and the weekend is the time when me and my kids really notice that my husband isn't here," Mrs. Chastin said. "With the tags, my kids and I can fill up this time by bowling or attending Family Movie Night."

The Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009 to July 2010, the Year of the Air Force Family. The Year of the Air Force Family is a program intended to provide leaders at all levels a vehicle to communicate information to Airmen, family members, surrounding communities and Department of Defense audiences on the variety and scope of programs offered by the Air Force.

For more information about the DePLAYment tags, call Jana Riggs, the point of contact for this program, at 316-675-1037, or visit myairforcelife.com.