LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- 61st Air Base Group and Space and Missile Systems Center families and civilian employees gathered on July 24 at Los Angeles Air Force Base to celebrate the importance of family members and to showcase what SMC does.
For approximately four hours, bounce houses for kids, SMC Heritage Center tours, human-rocket experiment demonstrations and free food and beverages were the order of the day in and around the LAFB Schriever Courtyard and Physical Fitness Center. “These types of Family-focused events enable SMC to highlight the importance of families and their role in helping their spouses accomplish the mission everyday” said Lt. Col. Keith White, deputy commander, 61st Air Base Group.
“Family members represent the backbone that military personnel rely on to help get them through a difficult period or share in their loved ones achievements or successes,” said White.
The event, now in its second year, was organized by the Civilian Leadership Development Council, Company Grade Officers Council, SMC’s Heritage Foundation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program, the event highlighted each of SMC’s directorates, 61st ABG’s squadrons and units what they do and how they support the larger Air Force mission through hands-on activities for the children and family members of Airmen stationed at LAFB.
One of the more popular stations sponsored by Aerospace was called the “Human Rocket Experiment” which centered around Isaac Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion, which says, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
Mary Shippy, the Civilian Leadership Development Council (CLDC) President said, “It’s a great chance to show our family and our friends what we do here at SMC everyday, with awesome missions that we help support.”
“There are many challenges to pulling off an event of this size and much appreciation goes to all of the civilians and service members who volunteered their time and efforts to make this an outstanding event,” said White.
“This is an exciting day for our families and again I want to express our sincere thanks to all of our partners that made this event possible,” Shippy said.