LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The Air Force Reserve 913th Airlift group conducted the service-wide “Resiliency Tactical Pause” to focus on suicide prevention, help seeking behaviors, and collect feedback during the December Unit Training Assembly on Dec. 8, 2019, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
Gen. David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, directed leaders to discuss the trend of suicides in the Air Force with their Airmen and civilians. In the first nine months of 2019, the Air Force Reserve lost 13 Citizen Airmen to suicide.
To kick off the Tactical Pause event, Col. Daniel Collister, 913 AG Deputy Commander, emphasized that status will not prevent resource being available to help Airmen in distress. He stressed the importance of this valuable time and encouraged everyone to provide valuable feedback.
Air Force Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) Peter Landers also addressed that the act of caring deepens bonds regardless of having the right words for the situation.
“Be brave enough to ask someone if they are okay. Be brave enough to show you care.”
After the opening remarks, there were small break-out sessions to facilitate group discussions and collect feedback. Airmen shared their personal struggles and experiences as well as suggested where the group or service could improve.
“My goal is to build healthy Airmen – Airmen who are mentally, psychologically, physically and spiritually fit,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, Chief of the Air Force Reserve. “We’ve gotten really good at reacting when an Airman is in trouble. We must get good at being proactive by building Airmen who are resilient enough to avoid situations where things go wrong.”
Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC’s command chief master sergeant, said he hopes the tactical pause will help shed light on a problem unique to the Reserve component.