Heart Link open to all Altus AFB spouses

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Lt. Col. Robert Hanovich, 97th Air Mobility Wing director of staff, stands with spouses of 97th Air Mobility Wing Airmen and Mrs. Melissa Binns, 97th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness community readiness specialist (far right, standing), at the March 23 Heart Link. Heart Link is a commander’s program established to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by increasing spouse awareness of the Air Force mission, as well as resources and services available. (Courtesy photo)

Piecing it all together with Heart Link

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Lt. Col Robert Hanovich, 97th Air Mobility Wing director of staff, completes a puzzle provided by the Airman & Family Readiness Center to show how various agencies and programs on base make up the wing as a whole. The puzzle is one of several activities part of Heart Link, a commander’s program established to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by increasing spouse awareness of the Air Force mission, as well as resources and services available. (Courtesy photo)

Program "links" spouses at Altus AFB

Published May 9, 2011
By Melissa Binns
97th Force Support Squadron

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The next Heart Link Spouse Orientation will be held May 25 at the Freedom Community Center and is open to all military spouses here.

Heart Link is a commander's program established to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by increasing spouse awareness of the Air Force mission, as well as resources and services available. Heart Link is for all spouses, not just those who are new to the Air Force.

The name Heart Link was chosen to reinforce the belief that the spouse is the heart of the Air Force. Spouses play a central role in the mental, emotional and physical health of the Air Force Family.

The program is a full day of fun and activities for spouses and presenters. It consists of a mixture of presentations by wing leadership and experts from many base agencies including security forces, family advocacy, the health and wellness center, wing safety, the legal office, and the chaplain.

The fun begins at 8 a.m. with complementary coffee, juice and a continental breakfast. Lunch is also provided, as well as afternoon snacks. Interactive games - including "Base Bingo" - and prizes are used throughout the day to make the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.

Each Heart Link attendee also receives a tote bag, Spouse Coin and a number of handouts to take home.

When asked what her favorite aspect of the program was, one prior attendee said, "The informal setting encouraged the flow of questions and communication. Great prizes made it fun! Great lunch! Getting the coin was an awesome surprise!"

Children six months old or younger are welcome to attend the event with mom or dad. Child care for older children is available at the Child Development Center, and will be free of charge for attendees. Call the CDC at 481-7502 to make reservations and say it is for Heart Link.

Spouses interested in attending must RSVP for Heart Link by May 19 by calling the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 481-6761.