Wingman shop

In the Oxygen Shop of the 550th Commodities Maintenance Squadron, Gary Dacus found his locker decorated Jan. 24 by an unknown co-worker during the shop’s Secret Wingman activity. Employees in the shop decorate lockers, leave treats, small gifts or cheerful notes all in the Wingman spirit. Some of the employees participating in the Secret Wingman are, front row from left, Gail Simmons, Cathy Ross, Sheral King and Gary Dacus. Middle row, from left, Calvin Elam, Tom Bowser, Dana Carson, Paul Wilmoth and Curtis James. Back row, from left, Cory Dean, Jose Vega and John Shrabel. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

Oxygen Shop promotes Wingman culture

Published Jan. 28, 2011
By Nicole Turner
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Employees in the Oxygen Shop consider themselves "Wingmen for Life." In fact, they embrace the Wingman culture so much, that they have found ways to promote it while having fun and even engaging in a friendly competition.

For the past few years, Kim Stramski, instrument mechanic supervisor in the 550th Commodities Maintenance Squadron, has been awarding dedicated individuals in the Oxygen Shop with special magnets in honor of being great Wingmen.

The magnets, which incorporate the Air Force Wingman logo, are awarded to employees who have worked at least 500 hours of overtime or more. For every hundred hours overtime worked, Ms. Stramski labels them in club categories, such as the 500 Club, 600 Club and 700 Club.

"This year we even had an 800 Club. These guys are dedicated. They do it because they know it needs to be done," Ms. Stramski said.

Out of 25 people, at least seven or eight receive the magnets each year and they proudly display them on their lockers or at their work stations.

"It's just that friendly competition you can do that makes it fun to be at work," Ms. Stramski said. "You've got to keep everybody engaged and wanting to come to work. That's the key for them to enjoy their job."

Oxygen Shop employees also have a tradition they call "Secret Wingman." Similar to Secret Santa or Secret Pals, employees put their names in a pool and then draw names of one another to see who their Secret Wingman is. For a month out of the year, they anonymously give their Secret Wingman small gifts throughout each week. This year they are doing it in honor of Curtis James, an employee who will deploy in February, which has encouraged more people to participate.

"They enjoy trying to figure out who their Secret Wingman is," Ms. Stramski said.

Sheral King, instrument mechanic in the 550th CMMXS, came up with the idea of Secret Wingman because she wanted to build a stronger and more close-knit team.

"It builds their morale and camaraderie with fellow employees. It helps us get to know one another better so we can be better Wingmen," Ms. King said.

The Oxygen Shop has done other things such as displaying a baby poster board, in which employees brought a baby picture to put on the board for others to guess who each baby was as an adult working there now. They also have staff dinners on occasion.

Ms. Stramski said they often do whatever they can to promote a closer team, ultimately leading to great and successful Wingmen.

"If you can have fun, it makes it even more worthwhile," Ms. Stramski said.