Airmen look forward to 'bright holiday'

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Operation Bright Holidays sponsors and recipients pose for a group photo at the Barksdale Club, Dec. 16. Twelve enlisted Airmen were nominated by their supervisors and chosen by the Company Grade Officer’s Council to receive a free trip to their home town to visit family for the holiday sponsored by the Military Affairs Council, The Anita Mary Tipping Steinau Foundation and the Credit Bureau of Louisiana. Many of the Airmen who were chosen for the program had not visited their families in years due to their dedication to the mission, and those who could not afford airfare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge)

Airmen look forward to 'bright holiday'

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Operation Bright Holidays sponsors and recipients have lunch at the Barksdale Club, Dec. 16. Twelve enlisted Airmen were nominated by their supervisors and chosen by the Company Grade Officer’s Council to receive a free trip to their home town to visit family for the holiday sponsored by the Military Affairs Council, The Anita Mary Tipping Steinau Foundation and the Credit Bureau of Louisiana. Many of the Airmen who were chosen for the program had not visited their families in years due to their dedication to the mission, and those who could not afford airfare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge)

Operation Bright Holiday

Published Dec. 18, 2009
By Senior Airman Megan M. Tracy
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Operation Bright Holiday is an annual program that brings together members of Barksdale and the community. The goal is to raise enough money to send Airmen home to spend the holidays with their families. This project gives members of the local community the opportunity to show their continued support for Barksdale.

"We as a community, we want to support our military as much as we can," said Kathi Smith, executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier City Military Affairs Council. "We look for ways to improve life, morale and make our contribution to anything that would make the lives of Airmen better."

The Military Affairs Council donated $2,000 to the operation. Their donation was matched by the Anita Mary Tipping Steinau Foundation and the Credit Bureau of Louisiana. Due to the generous donations, the Company Grade Officers Council was able to purchase a record number of airline tickets for deserving recipients.. This year, 12 Airmen will travel to see family on a trip they otherwise couldn't afford.

One Airman who was selected, Senior Airman Alex Philipps, 2d Communications Squadron unit deployment manager, says the gift came as a welcome surprise.

"It's been a long, hard year," he said. "I've been working pretty long hours, so it's good to have some time off just to go home and see family and friends and just relax."

While there was no formal application, winners were chosen based on recommendations from first sergeants and letters of nomination.

"A lot of the first sergeants explained the Airman's accomplishments," said Capt. Erin Owens, CGOC president. "We also looked at the need the Airmen had to go home. Some haven't been home in two years, or longer and they haven't had a chance to spend time with their families."

With 11 conventional operational readiness exercises and one conventional operational readiness inspection, Airmen at Barksdale have been putting in long, hard hours this year to maintain mission excellence. According to Captain Owens, Operation Bright Holidays provided a few select Airmen the chance to relax and recharge.

"I think there needs to be a balance where people are able to separate having fun and work," she said. "If we're able to give some deserving Airmen that time to slow down and take a break and spend time with family then they'll be ready and energized to come back and help with the mission."

For more information on how to nominate a deserving Airman or to contribute to the event contact the Company Grade Officers Council at bafb.cgoc@barksdale.af.mil.