Spouse program a "Key" to communication

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alex Martinez
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  As part of the July 2009 - July 2010 Year of the Air Force Family initiative, the Air Force launched a revised and standardized Key Spouse program - a program Incirlik has embraced.

"The program is a very effective tool for communication," said Laura Hobbs, the Airman and Family Readiness Center Key Spouse program coordinator.

Currently, the base has 19 key spouses representing the unit or squadron they are appointed to. A Key Spouse representative may be the spouse of an officer, enlisted Airman, a Department of Defense civilian or other qualified person. Unit leaders formally select and appoint each Key Spouse.

Their mission is to be the liaison between their unit commander and first sergeant to ensure 100 percent communication with families and their military members.

"We don't only help the families who have a deployed member," said Abby Yates, a key spouse for the 39th Security Forces Squadron. "We're here to help anyone who needs it."
The key spouses hold a monthly meeting at the A&FRC where they can ask questions, share concerns and techniques with each other to make the program a success in their units. The meetings also include guest speakers from organizations around base to share information on the services offered.

"Getting information out is critical," said Lanetta Sims, the 39th Air Base Wing staff agency Key Spouse. "We don't want people to get false or mixed information."

To aid key spouses in running a successful program, desk and resource guides were developed by the Air Force that can be used by all program team members.

For more information on the Key Spouse program, contact the A&FRC at 676-6755.