An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Tinker commander suspends e-mail use on Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The 72nd Air Base Wing went without e-mail Nov. 9 -- Wingman Day -- but it wasn't due to server or connectivity issues.

Col. Mark A. Correll, 72nd ABW commander, eliminated the use of e-mail between wing personnel that day to stress two vital messages: don't rely on your e-mail for daily work; and focus on Wingman Day, not your inbox.

Colonel Correll implemented the idea based on a suggestion from the 72nd ABW vice commander, Col. Brad Ashley. Colonel Ashley had tried "No E-mail Day" at his previous duty station, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

"There is an art to face-to-face communications and coordination that is dwindling," Colonel Ashley said. "We want to add more of a personal touch to the way we do business, regardless of unit.

"Efficiently working to the bottom of an electronic inbox does not always equate to effectiveness," Colonel Ashley continued. "We have to take time to sit back and analyze our activities and where we invest our time."

In addition, the commanders said they felt "No E-mail Day" linked well with Wingman Day.

"Our culture is built on Wingmen, it is vital to the success of our operations," Colonel Correll said. "Taking care of one another and taking care of our families is one of the great things that separate us from our corporate counterparts. I wanted the 72nd ABW to focus an entire day toward improving our Wingman aptitude and attitude. To be a good Wingman, you must be alert, get involved and take action."