The 6th Air Refueling Wing hosted a senior-leadership spouse immersion tour here Sept. 24.
The tour provided new 6th ARW leadership spouses an in-depth look at the wing’s mission and familiarize them with base services and operations.
The spouses learned about the 6th Force Support Squadron’s Military and Family Readiness Center, military family life counselors and viewed a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft up close.
Additionally, they received the wing’s mission briefing from Col. Ben Jonsson, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, 6th ARW command chief.
“The support our military spouses provide is vital not only to our Airman’s families, but to the Air Force as a whole,” said Green. “We cannot express how thankful we are for the service and sacrifice from all of Team MacDill’s spouses.”
The spouses also met with representatives from several base agencies, including the key spouse program, spouse employment and others who discussed available programs and facilities.
During their tour, Heather Jonsson, spouse to Col. Jonsson, thanked the spouses for participating and expressed how much she and her family have enjoyed their tenure in the Air Force.
“There is something about Air Force spouses that really bonds us together, and when I think about the reason why I’ve really loved our adventure in the Air Force, it’s because of the spouses,” said Jonsson.
As senior leaders rotate into positions of command with Team MacDill, spouses take on the task of advocating for assisting service members and their families.
“I missed some opportunities to do some cool stuff when we first arrived at MacDill,” said Sarah Green, spouse to Chief Master Sgt. Green. “This was my first immersion tour on base here and I’m excited I was able to learn so much.”
In addition to immersing spouses with the mission, they also networked to forge new friendships.
The 6th Air Refueling Wing’s mission is to provide unmatched air refueling, installation and mission support, and is organized into five groups: operations, maintenance, mission support, medical and the wing staff.
Team MacDill hosts 31 associate units from all branches of service to include U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the 927th Air Refueling Wing.
The presence of these two unified commands and other mission teammates creates a unique multi-service community at MacDill, with all branches of service represented.