JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2), held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch its Airman for Life (A4L) online resources here, Aug. 17.
This initiative is part of a two-pronged communications approach incorporating the AFW2 A4L webpage, which bridges the gap between the program and Veterans Affairs resources; and a social media platform, that will provided targeted messaging among unique demographics.
“Our mission is to honor and empower AFW2 veterans and their families by creating an environment that provides specialized assistance and referrals, educates, informs and inspires,” said Col. Michael Flatten, AFW2 director. “We envision doing this by building a resilient community for our AFW2 family, supporting each other, and establishing long lasting relationships and fostering esprit de corps. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. David L. Goldfein, said it best when he stated we have to get the family piece right… our commitment [is] to our service members and their loved ones on and off the battlefield; we must help them sustain the demands placed upon them.”
Any Air Force veteran who is enrolled in the AFW2 program, who has been medically retired or separated and is sustained within the continuum of care, is encouraged to utilize these A4L resources; approximately 5,600 veterans on the Permanent Disabled Retired List will receive official notifications inviting them to participate in the A4L program.
“Your AFW2 family cares about you and we are here to assist and support you,” Flatten said. “I hope you will find these new resources beneficial and that they provide you a place where you can talk to Airmen who truly understand what it feels like to be an Air Force wounded warrior.
“I ask you to give us a chance… come back home and reconnect with your AFW2 family,” he continued. “As an active member, you will have an opportunity to provide input, feedback and support toward assisting us shape and grow this program. On behalf of Air Force’s Personnel Center, AFW2 leadership and staff, and the A4L program managers, we would like to say thank you for all you do and welcome home.”