Eielson Airman upholds wingman concept

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Airmen are charged with taking care of their fellow Airmen every day both on and off duty. In the U.S. Air Force we call this the wingman concept.

Although the wingman concept applies to more than simply alcohol-related incidents, those incidents are the most typical examples of using the wingman concept.

The term wingman stems from a time-honored tradition within the Air Force flying community that essentially says the flight lead is responsible for the safe return of his or her wingman. It's a promise, a pledge, a commitment between Airmen who fly.

The Air Force works to cultivate and instill this culture of commitment between all Airmen and Air Force civilians in all career fields and specialties.

There are three pillars to the wingman concept, according to Chief Master Sgt Willard Lacy, 354th Mission Support Group chief enlisted manager.

"You've got to have sincere caring, courage and leadership," said Chief Lacy. "Most of the time wingmanship should prevent DUI's. You can see, most of the time, a breakdown in one of those three areas of wingmanship in any scenario."

Senior Airman Joshua Preuss was at a friend's going away at the Yukon Club recently when he noticed one of his wingmen had a little too much to drink.

"At that point, I had stopped drinking to keep a better eye out for my friend," recalled Airman Preuss. "In this situation, I'm pretty sure everyone would have done the same thing I did. No one wants their friends to end up in a difficult situation alone. After I realized my friend had enough, I escorted my friend to the dorms."

Airman Preuss and his friends weren't the only ones at the club that night. It was a party for the completion of RED FLAG-Alaska. Chief Lacy was there and, even with the large crowd, noticed the Airman closely looking out for his wingman.

"Within the Top of the World chiefs group, we have a program where all the chiefs go out looking for Airmen who are going above and beyond in whatever area - customer service, on the job or in this case a simple display of wingmanship," said Chief Lacy.

Airman Preuss was recognized by the Top of the World chief's group for displaying outstanding wingmanship.

"Being coined by the chief was pretty unreal; I didn't expect what I did to be such an accomplishment. Like I said before, anyone would have done what I did for their friend or fellow wingman," said Airman Preuss.

Airmen at all levels of command have a role as wingmen. Commanders bear responsibility for the total welfare of their assigned personnel -- physically, emotionally, social and spiritually. They strive to recognize when their people need help and know where to send them to get it. Supervisors are the first line of defense for the well being of the people they supervise. Often they are in a position to spot the first signs of trouble and are in the best position to listen and engage.

All Airmen are encouraged to lead by example -- to be good wingmen, by taking care of themselves and those around them.