Opinions heard at Caring for People Forum

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 90 members of Team XL showed up to voice their opinion at Laughlin's Caring for People Forum at Club XL April 10.

The forum is designed to give participants a chance to discuss their concerns on several topics, including family support, deployment support, spouse communication, health and wellness, housing and many more.

"I'm very pleased with this year's turn out," said Aliyah Negley, the event's chairman. "People wholeheartedly joined in on the discussion and wanted to have their opinions heard. The night has been full of problem-solving."

Some of the concerns discussed over the course of the evening included developing a better understanding of special needs issues through training, addressing safety risks due to the base's limited lighting at night, better assignment understanding for deploying airmen and better youth activities during the summer months.

Although Air Education and Training Command and the greater Air Force cancelled their follow-up forums, which would review the issues that could not be resolved at the local level, Laughlin leadership chose to continue with the evening's events.

"The evening passed quickly but the people here worked through some key issues," said Chief Master Sgt. Garry Berry, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief. "We are going to collect these issues and brief leadership; we will then address what we can here at Laughlin and strive to make changes. We owe people an answer to the issues raised."

The Caring for people forum will meet with wing leadership April 16 to discuss the evening's findings and to develop plans of action for the working group's suggestions. Updates on the group's findings will be released throughout the coming months, explained Negley.

"Everyone, every day, gives 110 percent," said Negley. "This event is a way to hear from them and to thank them for their commitment to Laughlin and the Air Force."