‘Spiritual sentries’ provide support for expeditionary wing

Published June 29, 2007
By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing chapel ministry maintains a constant presence reminding Airmen that top cover is always available through visitation, counseling and worship.

Each week the 379th AEW chapel provides over 80 opportunities for spiritual growth reaching over 1,000 people and touching the lives of expeditionary Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, civilians and coalition partners of all religious backgrounds.

One of the main objectives is to be a constant visible presence among the wing, according to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Doug Slater the 379th AEW Wing Chaplain.

"We assign a chaplain to each group so they can become a part of what they do, get to know them and be a part of their mission," said Chaplain Slater, "They also become the person who people in that group will call upon if they need help.

Spending time with service members falls in line with the "visitation" aspect of the chapel's mission.

"We try to learn their jobs and stay engaged with our groups - so we're aware of their needs," said Chaplain (Capt.) Daniel Call, 379th AEW chaplain for the maintenance group, from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and North Wilkesboro N.C. native. "People come to the AOR (area of responsibility) with their own set of concerns, but when you put them in a deployed environment it's like putting them in a pressure cooker. Being assigned to groups allows us to be more visible so they reach out to us more often."

Deployments are a great time to make changes in one's life both mentally and in physical fitness. It is also a great time to develop your spiritual life. The chaplain service team aims to spiritually equip the wing to do its mission not only in worship and visitation but also through counseling. No matter what the hour of the day, a chaplain can be reached with 100 percent confidentiality to counsel the concerns of those seeking help. For the 379th AEW Chaplain Service team that stretches beyond the more than 8,000 servicemembers here, but to most people traveling to and from other areas in the AOR.

"When we talk to people traveling from Iraq or Afghanistan on their way home, you can tell they're relieved and feel more at ease for their trip back to their families," said Master Sgt. Dionicio Gutierrez, 379th AEW chapel NCO in charge, from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Whether you're part of the 379th AEW or a transient passing through, there are daily worship opportunities offered at all hours of the day, seven days a week. One might ask how a staff of 13 chaplains and chaplain's assistants can pull that off - it's because of their enormous volunteer base.

"Vibrant people involved in ministry from their home station arrive and share their gifts and abilities in our chapel community", said Chaplain Slater. "With the exception of preaching our services are led by all volunteers - about 200 of them. People show up enthusiastic to volunteer and serve one another."

These volunteers serve in the form of ushers, musicians, choir directors, lay leaders and scripture readers - keeping the Victory Chapel bustling all day long.

The chapel also offers "Jack's," a spiritual refuge for those looking for a place to relax and a have cup of coffee. It's fully equipped with food, books, games, and free supplies donated from supportive people back home. The 24 - 7 coffee house is supported 100 percent by volunteers.

Considering the ever-changing environment and diversity of the wing, these chaplains handle a wide variety of matters, which sets them apart from other ministries in the AOR.
"Though most of the battlefield crises don't happen here at our wing, the effects of combat are felt," said Chaplain (Maj.) Pat Travers, 379th AEW catholic priest from Ketchikan, Alaska. "We are a hub in the AOR and as a result we deal with those effects - stress, human remains, wounded, injured."

Hundreds of thousands of military members pass through here every year. Some with religious backgrounds and some without - many of whom feel the stresses of the deployed environment. The message the chapel staff wants to convey is to keep perspective while deployed knowing that top cover is always available.

"Our presence is to remind people that God is here with them and to allow those who don't know that to explore the option," Chaplain Travers said.