AAAC kicks off Airmen Support for Families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha M. Lee
  • 31Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Aviano Airmen's Advisory Council kicked off a new program that aims to help deployed Airmen and their families.

"Being deployed can put a lot of stress on the active-duty member and their families," said Airman 1st Class Michael Kilburn, AAAC president and 31st Maintenance Squadron Avionics journeyman. "This program is designed to help spouses take out some of the stress of running a house hold alone."

Spouses in need should contact, a week in advance, their key spouse or first sergeant who will contact the AAAC.

"We will set up the volunteers to come to their house," said Airman 1st Class Anna Maria Al Dabbagh, 31st Contracting Squadron contracting specialist and AAAC member.
These Airmen will be providing services, including painting, packing, lifting, cleaning and maintaining lawns.

For Staff Sgt. Nadine Barclay, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs photographer, the AAAC's efforts are helpful to spouses of deployed Airmen.

"I'm eight months pregnant, my husband is deployed right now and I have a 3-year-old daughter, so I don't always have the time my house requires," said Sergeant Barclay. "Having the Airmen come out was a really big help and a stress reliever for me. They helped me do stuff that I couldn't do on my own."

Airmen of all ranks are encouraged to take part in this volunteer opportunity. Volunteers should e-mail Airman Al Dabbagh or the AAAC inbox at 31fw.aaac@aviano.af.mil. All volunteers will be e-mailed with requests as well as time and location a week in advance.

"This program allows extra stress and concern to be taken off of the Airmen who need to concentrate on the mission at hand," said Airmen Al Dabbagh. "This program will give Airmen downrange the peace of mind to know that their families are being taken care of in their absence. "