MAFB to celebrate "Year of the AF Family" Published Oct. 14, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen of all ranks are invited to celebrate the "Year of the Air Force Family" Nov. 1 to 7 here. "To celebrate the spirit of the Air Force family, Minot AFB will join other installations worldwide in setting aside these dates for Air Force Family Week," said Sarah Harvey, 5th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family readiness Center school liaison officer. "The base helping agencies have come together to offer great activities throughout the week." These "helping agencies" include: AFRC, Family Child Care, Child Development Center, David C. Jones Youth Center, Mental Health and Family Advocacy, Health and Wellness Center, the chapels and the base library. The Secretary and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force named July 2009 to July 2010, Year of the Air Force Family. The Year of the Air Force Family provides leadership at all levels a vehicle to communicate information and data to Airmen, family members, surrounding communities and Department of Defense audiences on the variety and scope of programs offered by the Air Force. The Year of the Air Force Family highlights the many successful programs already in place and to inform Airman and their families of the development of new programs, unveiling them throughout the year. The events available for Minot Airmen and Families throughout the week are listed below: - There will be a poster contest for kids ages 3 to 14. Entries are due no later than Oct. 23 to AFRC. - Fit Factor Amazing Race will challenge people to explore various base agencies. There will be a prize drawing for each of the five categories: couples, single Airmen, spouses, teens and families. Individuals and teams have all week to complete their objectives. - Week-long open houses and information fairs will be held at each helping agency participating in the scavenger hunt. There will be great giveaways and specific information topics at each location. - Ready Freddie, the AFRC parrot, teaches kids about deployments and separations through a fun, interactive program that will help kids understand how their parents support the various 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing missions. Freddie will visit special locations all week long. - Free ice skating at the Maysa Arena downtown. There will be designated space for both families with children and adults. So why is the Air Force emphasizing the family this year? "The Air Force has a long tradition of taking care of its families," said a Secretary of the Air Force public affairs spokesperson. "We will continue this tradition and the purpose of the Year of the Air Force Family is to focus collective attention of our leadership on Air Force families and recognize their service to our nation during a time of war." Whether it is obvious or not, Minot Airmen play a major role in the positive outcome of the conflicts the U.S. is currently fighting around the world. "This program is a way of thanking everyone who has had an impact on our mission," said Tiffany Jensen, 5th FSS AFRC community readiness consultant. "We are putting a focus on quality of life issues." Even though the program is only emphasized during the noted week, program directors at AFRC said to keep an eye out for more activities throughout the year. "We hope to improve morale and resiliency," Jensen said. "A major focus of this program is to increase base awareness of available resources. These available resources would normally cost a lot downtown, but is free on base. This week will give us a chance to showcase the base 'helping agencies.'" For more information, contact the AFRC at 723-1125.