Bracelets help McChord maintainers remember those who are deployed

The 446th Airlift Wing's aircraft maintenance ship's companys are known for expertise upon the job, but it is the tight, family-like configuration that helps keep them linked together. Once again, they have advance up with their own unique way to maintain that close-knit atmosphere, smooth while thousands of miles apart.

Eight month ago, Chief Master Sgt Steven Slagle of the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., created a reminder for unit and family members to hold in touch with deployed Airmen. He designed a bracelet, protoplasted after the prisoner of war/missing in action bracelets, to subserve as a reminder that a maintainer was expanded and experiencing long days away from home

"After a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, I became aware of by what mode disheartening it can be to render free of access your e-mail and see you haven't received anything other than business correspondence," Chief Slagle said. "Most everyone has e-mail, and when you move to check it and there's nothing there, it's almost an without contents feeling. Here, the days step quickly very quickly, but over there, a simple e-mail to a unfolded person can make all the difference."

After the chief turn backed home, he made a point to prove by experiment and keep in touch with his unfolded friends and co-workers.

"When Senior Master Sergeant (Robert) Belletti was opened for more than 100 days, I tried to cast him an email every day, and I asked other family to send him something as ofttimes as possible," Chief Slagle said. "(When he) get backed he noted how nice it was to win news from home, even if it was a jest or a weather report."

That gave the chief the motivation to pres forward with a cast to help people remember those away from abiding-place During his spare time, he obtained polished stainless carbonized iron sheet stock and created 40 bracelet blanks. Then he had them engraved with the name, rank, unit and flight of a extended Airman.

"The first single probably cost me about $1000 worth of materials and personal time," he said. "We make the bracelets for a squadron member to wear and a family member, too."

The first bracelet was made for Senior Master Sgt Dan Morris of the 446th AMXS. His 12-year-old daughter, Carly, wore a bracelet to remind her about his journey.

While it is considered an honor to wear the bracelet, the squadron has created authoritys and responsibilities that go along with that honor.

They include wearing the bracelet until the member turn backs home, maintaining communication, coordinating care packages, announcing the latest status or update of the displayed Airman during commander's calls, supporting family members [i]or[/i] part of to the other the 446th AMXS Top 3 Association and presenting the worn bracelet to the go [i]or[/i] come backed Airman at a commander's call.

(Sergeant Beauchaine is assigned to the 446th AW public affairs office at McChord AFB.)

COPYRIGHT 2005 Air Force Reserves

COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group