AFA to Help Facilitate Transitions for Wounded Airmen

ARLINGTON, Va., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As an organization established to support both the role of airpower in our nation's defense and the individuals who carry out the missions of the United States Air Force, the Air Force Association (AFA) has put forth efforts to support airmen everywhere dealing with their injuries inflicted during conflicts in many areas around the globe.

From those efforts AFA started the AFA Wounded Airman Program. This program supports those wounded who are now returning to this country - and on to their challenges as they reintegrate back home. Many of these courageous people return to active duty with the USAF. Others return home and work to get on with the next phase of their lives.

Master Sgt. Christopher "Aggie" Aguilera, 66th Rescue Squadron aerial gunner, was one of two survivors from a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash in southwest Afghanistan that killed five Airmen June 9, 2010. Aggie has returned to active duty in the USAF, and is discovering a new normal for his life as he adapts to his injuries. However, one thing that he found consistent was that sports were still very important to him.

The Warrior Games are an annual event hosted by the US Paralympics Committee to introduce active duty or veteran combat wounded warriors to sporting programs. So when Aggie was invited last year to participate in wheelchair basketball and compete for a spot on the USAF team contending in the Warrior Games, it was rather unfortunate that he wasn't able to take part in it because he had not yet acquired a wheelchair especially outfitted for the rigors of sports while supporting his physical needs.

But that won't happen again. Aggie has been invited to participate again, vying for a spot on the 2012 USAF team of the 2012 Warrior Games. Through the generosity of DRS Technologies, two chapters of AFA in the DC area - the Nation's Capital Chapter and the Donald W. Steele Sr. Chapter - are sponsoring Aggie's chair.  It will be presented to him in Colorado Springs during the Paralympic Military Sports Camps. The presentation will take place on Monday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m., at the U.S. Air Force Academy Track. In case of inclement weather, the presentation will take place at the field house next to the track.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.  To accomplish this, we:

• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
• SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

AFA has 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing more than 108,000 members.  Visit AFA on the internet at www.afa.org.

SOURCE Air Force Association