Wounded Warrior CARE Event coming to JBA Published Nov. 8, 2017 By Airman 1st Class Valentina Lopez 11th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, in coordination with the 11th Wing, is scheduled to host the Wounded Warrior Northeast CARE Event at Joint Base Andrews, Nov. 13 to 17. The AFW2 event is a comprehensive wellness experience for wounded and ill Air Force service members and their caregivers that provides personalized service through CARE. CARE stands for: • Caregiver support training • Adaptive and rehabilitative sports events • Recovering Airman mentorship training • Employment and career readiness The event embodies the 11th Wing’s mission of respond, honor, defend, support and care. “The brunt of this event falls under care, but I would say it falls under all of the 11th Wing’s mission,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Larmon, 11th Civil Engineer infrastructure section chief and AFW2 volunteer coordinator. “The [11th Wing] honors those who make sacrifices for this nation. We care and support for wounded warriors to help them bounce back to respond and complete the mission.” More than 145 ill and injured service members, and caregivers from around the country will be involved in the AFW2 support programs. Wounded warriors attending the athletic portion will train and compete in various adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, rifle shooting, archery, cycling, and track-and-field competitions. The key events scheduled for the week are: • An opening ceremony, featuring Col. E. John Teichert, Base and 11th Wing commander, at the Tactical Fitness center here, Nov. 13 at 8 a.m. • AFW2 ambassador speeches at the base theater, Nov. 14 to 16 at 1 p.m. • A day of healing at the Westin National Harbor, Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. More than 30 Department of Defense wounded warriors will participate in the day, which will include displays of art and performances by service members who use art as part of their recovery. • A CARE Fair/Art Exhibit at The Club at Andrews, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. • The Show of Strength through Teamwork at the Tactical Fitness Center here, Nov. 17 at 8:45 a.m. This final event will bring together U.S. Army, Marine, and Air Force members for adaptive team sport tournaments, highlighting the role sports play in the recovery process. The event on base is open to Department of Defense card holders and the portion at the Westin National Harbor is open to the public. The week is part of the month-long Warrior Care Month, highlighting the importance of caring for our nation’s wounded service members, their caregivers and families. “I was the [point of contact] for the event last year and it was a very humbling experience,” said 1st Lt. Patrick Noyes, 11th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander and AFW2 CARE event POC. “I’m looking forward to seeing the wounded warriors and interacting with them. They are the ones who make this event.” Both Larmon and Noyes encourage people of all backgrounds, whether injured or not, to come out and see the games, speeches and performances. For more information about the AFW2 program, click here.