Group comes together to boost airmen morale

Done by few... for the many.

"Our motto is truly representative of what our private organization is all about," said Senior Airman Michelle Mayhugh, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron and Air Commando Enlisted Society president. "The few members that make up A.C.E.S. work very hard to make decisions that will directly benefit the many Airmen that comprise the base.

U.S. Air Force photo: Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal

From left, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin Flynn, A1C Samantha Crenshaw, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson, Senior Airman Michelle Mayhugh, A1C Gloria Calvillo and Master Sgt. Steven Bauch, 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron, stand together for a group photo in The Drop Zone at Cannon Air Force Base. The Air Commando Enlisted Society is a private organization that provides an all-encompassing group with representatives from other small organization with similar mission objectives.

"The organization is made up of junior enlisted-run groups ranging from the Dorm Council to Airmen Against Drunk Driving at Cannon Air Force Base. The concept for A.C.E.S. was to create one all-encompassing private organization with representatives from other small groups that already had exiting similar mission objectives.

"We wanted to eliminate having so many avenues and channels and focus all our efforts to maximize benefit for Airmen," Mayhugh added. "Our mission is to increase morale and the quality of life for our troops.

"During the most recent A.C.E.S. meeting, Chief Master Sgt. Paul Henderson, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, spoke to more than 40 Airmen about the wing's mission, career development and wellbeing.

"It's important that our Airmen understand our special operations mission and how they plug into it," he said. "We must be adaptive technically, physically and mentally in order to deliver our Special Operations Forces combat power anytime, anyplace.

"The chief stressed to the Airmen the importance of taking care of themselves and their fellow wingmen. He also addressed which agencies on base are available to help Airmen if the need arises.

"There are times when we aren't feeling 100 percent and that's okay," he said. "Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it; I have done it myself. Mental health providers, Military Family Life Consultants and chaplains are always available and are outstanding resources.

"We need our troops to be the best at their job, which includes maintaining the same standards, whether on or off duty," he added. "Make smart, rational decisions and don't risk your careers or your lives by doing anything compromising.