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Osan AFRC is best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center here was selected as 2007's "Best in Air Force" on Nov. 30. 

The director of the AFRC, which is a part of the 51st Mission Support Squadron here, said they were up against some tough competition, but their program is worthy of the title. 

"I've worked in five (AFRCs), and the busiest one I've worked in is here," said Ms. Tamre Newton. "Still, it's very humbling. A lot of these centers are doing great work." 

But it was all the hard work of the Osan team that garnered them this year's award. They started new programs such as the premarital seminar, in partnership with the base chapel, and the spouse orientation training, in which they expedite the process of getting spouses in-processed and acquainted with Osan. 

The AFRC also manages the Air Force Aid charity. Last year alone, they assisted 48 members of Team Osan with more than $52,000 through AFA. 

Even with all these support programs and being part of a large non-combatant evacuation operations team, the program that put them over the top, said Ms. Newton, was the readiness assistance volunteer program. 

"(Through the program), we stay in touch with spouses stateside," she said. "We send them information on Korea, like the weather or wing news, through quarterly newsletters." 

Members of the AFRC staff said the fact that they were able to maintain these programs, as well as create new ones, despite the high operations tempo here, speaks volumes about their organization. 

"It confirms our commitment to Airmen," said Ms. Bettye Robinson-Tongol, an AFRC community readiness consultant. "It's all about readiness and we've proven that." 

This isn't the first time Osan's AFRC have proven they're the best of the best. They were recognized as best in Pacific Air Forces in 2001 and as best in both PACAF and the Air Force in 2002. What's the formula for a great readiness center? Mr. Clarence Figgs, an AFRC community readiness consultant, explained the secret. 

"It's all about enjoying what you do," he said. 

For more information on AFRC programs, call 784-5440.