MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- The 167th Airlift Wing held its annual family day event, Dec. 8, 2019, with most activities happening around a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft on static display inside a hangar at the Martinsburg, W.Va., air base.
Airman and their families toured the C-17 aircraft and participated in a variety of activities as holiday music played throughout the hangar.
The 167th’s Chaplain Corp offered an ecumenical breakfast and squadrons hosted holiday meals within their sections prior to the hangar opening for the event.
Children were entertained by balloon artists and face painters, bounce houses, crafts and cake walks as part of the day’s festivities. Martinsburg STARBASE offered several Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-based activities. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus visited and even delivered some early Christmas gifts.
The Rising 6 Council organized the Reindeer Games and the First Sergeants Council oversaw the Ginger Bread House Competition where the Home Station Check section took top honors, once again.
The Company Grade Officers Council coordinated cake walks and several community organizations set up informational displays.
The 167th Family Readiness Group sponsored many of the events activities and FRG volunteers assisted at Santa’s table and the West Virginia National Guard’s Child and Youth craft tables. Students and parents from Kelley Michaels’ fifth-grade class at Faith Christian Academy provided assistance with the STARBASE activities.
“This is the biggest turnout we’ve had in a long time,” Sherry Lewis, 167th Airlift Wing’s Airman and Family Readiness Program manager, said, based on the number of toy bags they went through at Santa’s table.
Chief Master Sgt. Scott Puffenberger and Chief Master Sgt. Tracie Darby coordinated this year’s event. Airmen around from around the wing provided assistance from set-up to tear-down.
“The 167th Airlift Wing is family,” said Col. David Cochran, 167th AW commander. “Our December UTA Family Day event allows us to provide a festive and joyous environment for our Airmen and their family and friends to strengthen bonds while honoring and recognizing everyone for their sacrifice and service.”