Spouse key to mission success Published June 8, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A Team Minot key spouse was chosen as the 2010 Air Force Global Strike Command Key Spouse of the Year on June 3, for her outstanding performance and contribution to mission readiness here. Angela Beumer, key spouse for the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, has held this title since 2007, and is the very first spouse to receive this MAJCOM level award. "I started in when my husband asked if I would help with a Guam deployment," said Ms. Beumer. "Having gone through a remote tour to Korea, numerous TDYs, and not having much contact from the squadrons, I wanted to do what I could to help other spouses. My hope was to do what I could to help relieve at least some of the stress that a deployment brings. What I learned in the process is that it helped me as well." Key spouses are volunteers interviewed and appointed by unit commanders to serve as vital communicators between the unit and its families. "As a key spouse, we are trained to provide peer to peer support to reduce stress and make sure families are aware of all the services and support available to them during remote tours and deployments," said Ms. Beumer. "We also help families adapt to military life." Among her accomplishments as a key spouse, Ms. Beumer was commended for her flawless support to the squadron, acting as a key advisor to the squadron commander on spouse and family issues for 560 assigned Airmen, and organizing the 5th Maintenance Group's Family Fair activities, which covered all age groups and provided entertainment for the 200 families in attendance. Master Sgt. Carisa Smith, 5th Force Support Squadron personal and family readiness NCO, said Ms. Beumer is very deserving of this award. "She's always willing to step up and help," said Sergeant Smith. "I can tell she's sincere in her efforts. She's always there to help families, whether it's during deployments or day-to-day activities. If I need anything, I can always count on her to do it." Ms. Beumer has accomplished a great number of things during her time as a key spouse; her nomination speaks for itself. However, Ms. Beumer remains humble, saying that she did not become a key spouse to focus on her accomplishments, but to help others. "My goal is for others to have better experiences during times of deployment," she said. "Who better to help take care of the spouse left behind than another spouse? In my experience, it is much easier to talk to another spouse than having to call the shop." Ms. Beumer said the best thing about being a key spouse is the homecoming at the end of a long deployment. "After all the events take place, I really enjoy watching all the excited families waiting for their loved one to come through the door," she said. "Witnessing a reunion is priceless." The Air Force standardized this program in 2009, proving it to be a vital part of ensuring families care while their Airman is deployed. "Key spouses are important to the Air Force family because they welcome new members into the unit," said Sergeant Smith. "They also serve to improve the morale of the entire unit by truly caring for the unit's families' well-being." "I think the key spouse program is important because, if we can help keep families as stress-free as possible, it will help the active duty member focus more on their job than what is going on at home," said Ms. Beumer. "If one has a desire to help others and the willingness to put in the time, this is a very rewarding way to be part of the Air Force family." If interested in becoming a key spouse, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 723-3950.