146th Airlift Wing awarded for best programs in support to airmen and families. Published May 5, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Nieko Carzis 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- The Airman and Family Readiness office for the 146th Airlift Wing (146 AW) lead by Julie Morency, was awarded for providing outstanding programs in support to 146 AW airmen and their families during the Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, March 29, 2019. The Airman and Family Readiness office (AFRPO) mission is to provide assistance, guidance and support that enhances the quality of life for service members and their families during mobilization and peacetime. Morency who has managed the 146 AW AFRPO since 2008, provided critical support to airmen and their families during some of the highest operations tempos the wing had seen in decades. In the last three years the wing deployed a large percentage of its members in support of the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) mission, while simultaneously activating the wing’s firefighting aviation program known as the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). As the tempo and demands of the mission increased, Morency ensured 146 AW personnel and their families had complete and total access to the services afforded to them. 146 AW Vice Commander, Col. John. R. Connolly is excited about Morency’s recognition and appreciates the work she has done while serving as the wing’s AFRPO. “We are thrilled for Julie receiving this honorable and well-deserved award. Julie Morency represents not just her office, she represents the heart and soul of our wing and our guard family,” said Connolly. Connolly added, “Her position involves a lot of creative troubleshooting, it’s not always a simple fix or a quick consultation that our members need. Julie has an ability to accentuate all the good things our members can do to help each other, and it really propels us through those challenging times.” These types of creative troubleshooting includes programs like the 146 AW Adopt a Family initiative, which identifies and discreetly provides assistance for families fiscally struggling during the holidays. The program operates through a submission of names that are given to Morency and her team either by airmen identified by their supervisors or by the individual airmen themselves. Each family is then “adopted” by a wing member and supported by assorted donations of gift cards, clothing, food, or specific items the airmen need. Morency attributes the success of the program directly to the airmen’s enthusiasm to help each other. “Every family deserves a positive holiday experience and this wing is extremely generous in their support of their own people,” said Morency. Additional programs with support from 146 AW members and participating donors provide families with meals for the Thanksgiving holiday through the December holidays. Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Morency an Airfield Manager for the 146 AW and Julie’s husband, is understandably proud of his wife. “I am incredibly proud of all the great work my wife does for our airmen. Her passion for helping military families is what made our Airmen and Family Readiness program the best in the nation,” said Daniel Morency.
146th Airlift Wing awarded for best programs in support to airmen and families. Published May 5, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Nieko Carzis 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- The Airman and Family Readiness office for the 146th Airlift Wing (146 AW) lead by Julie Morency, was awarded for providing outstanding programs in support to 146 AW airmen and their families during the Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards presentation at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, March 29, 2019. The Airman and Family Readiness office (AFRPO) mission is to provide assistance, guidance and support that enhances the quality of life for service members and their families during mobilization and peacetime. Morency who has managed the 146 AW AFRPO since 2008, provided critical support to airmen and their families during some of the highest operations tempos the wing had seen in decades. In the last three years the wing deployed a large percentage of its members in support of the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) mission, while simultaneously activating the wing’s firefighting aviation program known as the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). As the tempo and demands of the mission increased, Morency ensured 146 AW personnel and their families had complete and total access to the services afforded to them. 146 AW Vice Commander, Col. John. R. Connolly is excited about Morency’s recognition and appreciates the work she has done while serving as the wing’s AFRPO. “We are thrilled for Julie receiving this honorable and well-deserved award. Julie Morency represents not just her office, she represents the heart and soul of our wing and our guard family,” said Connolly. Connolly added, “Her position involves a lot of creative troubleshooting, it’s not always a simple fix or a quick consultation that our members need. Julie has an ability to accentuate all the good things our members can do to help each other, and it really propels us through those challenging times.” These types of creative troubleshooting includes programs like the 146 AW Adopt a Family initiative, which identifies and discreetly provides assistance for families fiscally struggling during the holidays. The program operates through a submission of names that are given to Morency and her team either by airmen identified by their supervisors or by the individual airmen themselves. Each family is then “adopted” by a wing member and supported by assorted donations of gift cards, clothing, food, or specific items the airmen need. Morency attributes the success of the program directly to the airmen’s enthusiasm to help each other. “Every family deserves a positive holiday experience and this wing is extremely generous in their support of their own people,” said Morency. Additional programs with support from 146 AW members and participating donors provide families with meals for the Thanksgiving holiday through the December holidays. Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Morency an Airfield Manager for the 146 AW and Julie’s husband, is understandably proud of his wife. “I am incredibly proud of all the great work my wife does for our airmen. Her passion for helping military families is what made our Airmen and Family Readiness program the best in the nation,” said Daniel Morency.