Eaker Center plans first wing commander spouses’ seminar Published Feb. 1, 2010 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air University's Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development will hold the first Wing Commander Spouses' Seminar the week of March 1-5 at the center. Col. John McKoy, director of Commanders' Professional Development School, said he thought this was the first time the Air Force has held a spouses' course at the wing commander level. "We have looked at similar courses from the sister services and MAJCOMs and have tried to include the best aspects of those courses," he said. "We will leverage the entire Maxwell-Gunter complex and primarily use local talent as guest speakers for the course." Lt. Col. Paula Flavell, director of Wing Commanders Spouses' Seminar, said Eaker Center is offering the course specifically to help prepare wing and vice wing commanders' spouses for their key role as part of the wing leadership team. "Among many topics, for example, we will include information addressing interaction with the local community," she said. "Maxwell has a tremendous rapport with the River Region, and we'll use it as a model for how any base can team with its surrounding community." Colonel Flavell said the optional course is an Air University commander initiative and has the Air Education and Training Command commander's support. It will be held five times in 2011 in conjunction with the March-July Wing Commanders' Seminars at Maxwell. "It is particularly appropriate that we've taken this long-overdue initiative in the Year of the Air Force Family," Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander, said. "We need to help equip our leaders' spouses with knowledge of the tools and programs available to assist families in coping with the challenges of military life." General Peck said Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander, had recently pointed out that families, especially spouses, are the foundation that enables each member to serve. "That's particularly true of the wing commanders' and vice wing commanders' spouses," General Peck said. "We ask so much of our spouses it's only fair we help prepare them for the challenges that may lie ahead." The inaugural course at Maxwell's Eaker Center will cover topics such as team building, Airman & Family Readiness Center programs, the Key Spouse Program, mentoring and crisis response. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and his wife Suzie are scheduled to address seminar attendees.