521AMOW hosts Key Spouse Appreciation Reception

More than 22 key spouses and key spouse mentors from across the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing gathered on Ramstein and via video teleconference systems from Italy, England, and Spain for a Key Spouse Appreciation Reception, May 16.

This event afforded the squadron, group, and wing leadership teams an opportunity to thank these outstanding volunteers for taking care of more than 2,100 Airmen and their families.

“We are a wing and a team in the business of taking care of our Airmen and families together,” said Col. Thomas Cooper, 521 AMOW commander. “I could not be prouder of the support and care you give our Airmen each and every day. The key spouse program falls under my squadron commanders whom I fully trust. With the geographic challenges in our wing, each of those squadron commanders will employ you to care for Airmen and their families in a different way as the mission dictates. Thank you for stepping up to the challenge and knocking it out of the park.”

With 15 units spanning 12 countries and more than 5,000 miles, it is critical to continue to tighten the bonds of the wing’s key spouses. The 521 AMOW is part of Air Mobility Command, despite most of its units being located on United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Force Central Command installations. As the sole AMC representation on these installations, commanders within the wing develop close working relationships with their host wing counterparts to care for their Airmen and keep the mission moving. The 521 AMOW receives installation support from 10 different host installations, making the wing’s partnerships and the key spouses mission critical.

“I am so proud of each and every key spouse in this wing,” said Stefanie Cooper. “I wish I could come around to each of our units and thank you in person because you are doing such an amazing job taking care of our families. Our families are depending on us to link them to the resources they need. I am always here for you and please never hesitate to reach out to me or any other key spouse mentor for help.”

The 521 AMOW plans to continue hosting a Key Spouse Appreciation Reception annually in person at Ramstein and via video teleconference in an effort to encourage communication and remind the key spouses how vital they are to the wing and AMC’s mission.