Wing provides one-stop shop for helping agencies

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wilson Wise
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Recently, the 445th Airlift Wing implemented changes to make is easier for Airmen to access wing helping agencies. The 445th AW’s Director of Psychological Health, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Psychological Health Advocacy Program (PHAP) and the Resiliency First Sergeant are now centrally located in building 4014, making it easier to access these services.

Col. Donald Wren, Mission Support Group commander and Chief Master Sgt. James Candler, 445th Force Support Squadron senior enlisted leader, had a vision to create a space where people can come to relax if they need to “de-stress.” That room is located in building 4014, room 179. The room has a television, coffee maker and sitting area for people to utilize as they see fit.

Ms. Vera McClain, 445th Director of Psychological Health, is pleased that this all came together.

“People are welcome to come in anytime the door is open,” McClain says. 

As the DPH, McClain offers counselling services, manages the suicide prevention and sexual assault prevention programs for the wing. She is passionate about being able to help Airmen and is here during the week and available during the Scarlet unit training assemblies.  .

The PHAP Team, through telephone calls and/or site visits, provides psychological health referral services to reservists and their families to include referral information, follow-up of services rendered and provide outreach services at all Air Force Reserve Command Yellow Ribbon events. They also offer morale calls to requesting reservists and families for pre-deployment, during and post deployment.

Master Sgt. Rebecca Stammen is the new Resiliency First Sergeant. Previously, she was the 445th FSS first sergeant, but is now available to all Airmen regardless of squadron. Her role will be to supplement each squadron’s existing first sergeants in a full-time role. She has an open-door policy and is available to talk to anyone who needs a listening ear.

“I love taking care of people and seeing the relief on someone’s face when they know they are being helped and know that someone cares about them,” Stammen said.

Across the hall from McClain and Stammen resides the 445th AW Airman and Family Readiness Center.  The A&FR is under the leadership of new director Ms. Shanna King, who recently joined the wing after serving in the same position at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.

The A&FR is an all-purpose helping agency. The organization manages key programs including the transition assistance program (TAP) and helps with writing federal resumes. A&FR also has a professional financial counsellor, Mr. Scott Pelfrey, who is available each Tuesday, during the UTA and by request. The agency also runs the wing’s key spouse program and specializes in pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment support for families of 445th members. 

King’s office is committed to honoring military families and sponsors key events throughout the year. Last December, they hosted the “Angel Tree” and provided Christmas gifts for approximately 42 dependents from the wing. Future events include military spouse appreciation day in March and the month of the military child in April.

There is also free childcare available during the UTA through the family childcare coordinator at the 88th Air Base Wing.  

King has practical advice for anyone who may have questions about anything.

“If you don’t know where to go, come to Airman and Family Readiness. If we don’t do it, we know who does, and if we don’t know who does, we will find out for you,” King said.

For more information please contact:

445th Airman and Family Readiness Center - room 118. (937) 522-4607, shanna.king.1@us.af.mil

Director of Psychological Health - room 182. (937) 257-6267, vera.mcclain@us.af.mil

Psychological Health Advocacy Program. PHAP Team Member 24-Hour Message Line, 1 (866) 417-0707.

Wing Resiliency First Sergeant - room 180. (937) 257-7088, rebeccah.stammen@us.af.mil