332D AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING -- Red Tail Shield members bridge the gap between 332d Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen and available resources for personal and interpersonal concerns.
RTS is an outreach of the Helping Agencies Team: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Equal Opportunity, Inspector General, Legal, Mental Health, Chapel, Physical Therapy, and First Sergeants.
“RTS is a peer-to-peer mentoring group,” said Staff Sgt. William Wilson, 332d Expeditionary Logistics Support Squadron specialist and Red Tail Shield president. “We take basic information for these teams into the work sections and help Airmen determine which agency is best suited to help with their situation.”
332d AEW Airmen, regardless of rank, who have initiative to support fellow Red Tails can volunteer to be an RTS member to help within their units.
“We look for people who want to give back, get a sense of fulfillment from knowing that they were able to help somebody during good or bad times, and just want to be the ultimate wingman,” said Williams.
RTS members are identified within their unit during commanders’ calls and flight meetings so that Airmen can connect a face to a name and know who they can talk to for help, Wilson elaborated.
“Being a part of the RTS is an opportunity to give back, which is empowering,” he said. “There’s satisfaction in knowing we help Airmen in an informal but informed way. Knowing people have an outlet by talking with us and finding out their next steps with us is its own reward because getting support can make all the difference.”