TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Communications Squadron hosted the newest 325th Fighter Wing program, Checkertail Champions, at the Horizons Community Center Oct. 20.
This new program is designed to educate children of Tyndall Airmen on every day base operations and how they help the 325th FW mission.
“We want to show our kids the different parts of the mission so they can understand everything we do here contributes to getting the F-22 [Raptor] off the ground,” said Tech. Sgt. Dana Daniels, 325th CS cyber operations noncommissioned officer in charge and originator of the program.
The program will be held quarterly and hosted by different squadrons beginning January 2018. The program teaches children about military discipline, customs and courtesies, and how teamwork is vital in a military environment.
“Our most vital assets at Tyndall are the Airmen and their families,” said Chief Master Sgt. Craig Williams, 325th FW command chief. “This program is a way for Team Tyndall to show families we care and to remind them they always have a family-away-from-family. We couldn't accomplish our mission without the support of our families. It's important we do our part to support them.”
Children also learned about the four pillars of resiliency: physical, mental, spiritual, and social.
This time, the event focused on the social pillar, where children discussed social media, dealing with bullies, and socialized with one another.
“The feedback from the kids and their parents was great,” Daniels said. “They enjoyed learning about formation, saluting and other facing movements. They also got a chance to meet new friends, dance with old friends, and sit in small groups and discuss friends and bullies.”
As the event ended, it proved to be a success and something to children to look forward to in the future.
“It was very chaotic and it was fun being involved in this,” said Dominic, a child in attendance. “I would come back whenever they have it again. It was fun to see people you know and have fun with them.”