Air Commandos recharge resiliency

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Isaac O. Guest IV
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD. Fla., -- --  Since 2015, Air Commandos have spent their time off leaping from airplanes, reeling in sharks and riding in helicopters. Although this may sound like routine fun, it is actually Air Commandos taking advantage of resiliency programs offered on base.

The Landing Zone Community Center makes these trips possible through the Recharge for Resiliency initiative, an Air Force services program utilized by nearly 40 bases worldwide.

Robert Scott, director of the Landing Zone Community Center with the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, said the R4R program incorporates elements of the Single Airman Programming Initiative and the RecOn program to build and maintain mission-ready Airmen, and foster a strong culture with a sense of community.

Last year, Hurlburt Field’s R4R was allotted $73,000 to pay for trips and activities to ensure costs aren’t a burden for Airmen .

“I will always do the best I can to make it as cost efficient as possible for a young Airman,” Scott said. “Cost should never be a determining factor for Airmen to participate [in these events].”

Airman 1st Class Cody Young, a material management journeyman with the 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, was one of 40 Airmen who went deep-sea fishing for a day as part of this initiative.

“I really enjoyed this trip because it gave me an opportunity to interact with my fellow wingmen,” Young said. “I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience new activities and find a great social network.”

For Scott, the program is an avenue to give Air Commandos a break from the high operations tempo of a special operations base.

“If we can take a moment to slow everything down [and] put a smile on an [Airman’s] face, that’s resiliency,” he said.

In the future, the Landing Zone plans to host more R4R events including zip lining, river rafting, hot air balloon rides and trips to various amusement parks.

For more information on the R4R initiative, contact Robert Scott at 850-884-5080 or visit the Hurlburt Field Community Center Facebook page.