88 ABW unveils Wingman Program coin to honor fellow Airmen in crisis

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Wingman Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is joining a mighty Air Force tradition and now has its own way of recognizing outstanding wingmen, with a coin.

One of the programs supported by Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander, the Wingman Program is facilitated through the Community Support Coordinator's (CSC) office.

"We have put a lot of emphasis on being good wingmen to each other," Danna Plewe said. "When you see a problem, you step in; you help provide resources to Airmen who are in crisis or who are in need. The coin is our way of recognizing these 'above and beyond' efforts by wingmen to take care of each other."

Unit commanders across the installation are   being asked by Plewe's office to notify her when they have a wingman they would like to recognize, either singly/within a unit or in front of a group at an appropriate time, such as during a commander's or director's call.

The coin was designed by Teresa Werling, administrative assistant, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Contracting Directorate, who has experience as a coin designer.

One side portrays the Comprehensive Airman Fitness Shield and its four pillars of wellness: mental, social, physical and spiritual; the other side, a pair of hands clasping   in front of a backdrop of the outline of the state of Ohio and four aircraft.

"It's not only reaching out your hand to help someone, but it's also that person reaching up to take that hand being held out," Plewe said. "The wingman concept is really two-sided. We like the idea of the message, that it's really about the relationship on both sides."

Werling was presented   with the first coin in thanks for taking personal time to design the coin, and the second, a set, was awarded to the Gracie Defense Systems Self-Defense Program volunteers for the extensive number of hours they have put into the program, she said.

Examples of appropriate situations worthy of an Airman being awarded the wingman coin would be intervening when a fellow   Airman is in crisis; starting a program to help other Airmen through their own initiative; providing community assistance, such as during an accident or incident; or demonstrating by their actions a maturity well above their rank or pay grade.

The wingman coin is separate from the commander's coin and does not replace it, Plewe noted. It is not designed to be an accolade for an individual's achievement; rather, it is to recognize wingman actions above and beyond the individual wingman's normal scope and day-to-day duty.

Contact Plewe and the Community Support Coordinator's office, email  danna.plewe@us.af.mil.