HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Air Force Wounded Warrior Program staff and ambassadors met with members of the workforce at Hanscome Air Force Base, Mass. May 13 and 14 to increase awareness and education about the program.
The mission at the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program is to provide advocacy and services to severely wounded, ill, and injured Airmen and Guardians. The program benefits recovering service members who are facing medical challenges that can have an impact on their career and their lives.
“There have been more than 100 Airmen from Hanscom enrolled in AFW2 since 2012, with two enrolled in 2024,” said Shawn Sprayberry, communications program manager, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. “This program will continue to be a resource for Airmen at Hanscom well into the next decade, providing access to resources and advocacy along their road to recovery.”
Working in conjunction with installation Military and Family Readiness Centers, command teams, and Air Force Medical Service, the program provides non-medical care and support for Airmen, Guardians, families, and caregivers while they recover and transition back to duty or into civilian life.
According to the AFW2 webpage, more than 8,400 wounded warriors, their families or caregivers are supported by the program.
During the visit, Staff Sgt. Teri Charles, an ambassador for the AFW2, spoke about her experience with the program and how it helped her recover from injuries she sustained after a vehicle struck her while she was running, causing severe injuries.
“Being part of the (AFW2) program helped me to be persistent in my care, helped me to be persistent in everything that I am doing, and to be accepting of my new self, my new one hundred percent,” said Charles.
She acknowledged she would never be the old “Teri,” or the Airman she used to be, but that she is learning how to make the most out of everything she’s achieved during recovery.
“It was powerful to meet AFW2 Ambassador Staff Sgt. Teri Charles,” said Dr. Ebon Alley, Hanscom AFB Integrated Prevention and Response director. “I remember reading about her incident in 2021. It was amazing to meet her in person, see how great she is doing, and learn how helpful the wounded warrior services can be for our active-duty population.”
The Department of the Air Force defines a wounded warrior as “any Airman or Guardian who is seriously wounded, ill, or injured that may require a Medical Evaluation Board/Physical Evaluation Board to determine fitness for duty.”
For more information on the program, contact Nicole Anzelone, Hanscom AFB recovery care coordinator at nicole.i.anzelone.ctr@mail.mil or 781-225-2757 or visit https://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/.