Deployers, families benefit from PLAYpass

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Single Airmen returning from deployments, and families of deployed personnel, are able to participate in Force Support Squadron programs for free or reduced cost thanks to PLAYpass.

The goal of PLAYpass is to alleviate some of the stress brought on by the challenges of a deployment.

"The program gives Airmen and their families the opportunity to reunite and reintegrate through activities provided by the Force Support Squadron," said Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Fleming, Airman and Family Readiness Center personal & family readiness NCO.

Two types of PLAYpass cards are available - the family card and the single Airman card.

Family PLAYpass cards are available to Airmen who have a spouse or children with Department of Defense identification cards.

Each PLAYpass card contains 20 discount blocks worth $25 each. Card holders can use as many blocks as they like for individual transactions. The discount cards can be used for swimming, outdoor recreation such as golf, bowling, arts and crafts classes, tickets and travel. Cards cannot be used for food, beverages or merchandise, and cannot be redeemed for cash.

"I found it beneficial because it brought my family closer with all the activities we were able to do," said Senior Airman Stephen Adams-Smith, 2nd Security Forces Squadron pass and i.d. clerk. "We used it for family nights at the bowling alley and for tickets from the Information, Tickets & Travel office."

Master Sgt. LaVaughn Love, 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron maintenance engineering section, also benefited from the program.

"My family of five used two play passes to travel to Fort Worth, Texas and Hot Springs, Ark.," said Love. "Utilizing the play pass allowed us to purchase tickets for various recreational activities."

Since its launch in 2011, Barksdale's A&FRC has issues more than $90,000 in PLAYpasses to Airmen and families.

PLAYpass cards can be used at every Air Force installation and programs offered vary at each location.