Air Combat Command on Feb. 18 launched “The Bridge,” a new website that looks to connect ACC Airmen with resources related to resilience, suicide and violence prevention, and diversity.
The website was borne out of feedback from conversations that occurred during the service-wide resilience tactical pause that Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered last summer in response to a rising suicide rate among USAF Airmen, according to a command release.
ACC’s A1 Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services co-developed the site along with the command’s public affairs team.
The website is meant to inspire ACC leaders and Airmen to combat “specific issues that could dilute human potential and effectiveness” and to help geographically separated Airmen feel more connected to the larger ACC community “no matter where they live or work,” said Col. Ronald Cheatham, ACC’s director of manpower, personnel, and services.
“The Bridge contains quick links to Air Force and DOD resilience and prevention-focused programs, plus reference materials and senior leader perspectives grouped into three core resource areas: Equip, Engage, Empower,” states the release.
The website provides crisis line contact information, as well as summaries of successful resilience-related initiatives undertaken at ACC installations across the U.S. (along with contact information for point people involved with those initiatives).
Sara Wilson, head of the command’s A1 Integrated Community Services Division, encouraged airmen with unique ideas they’d like to see spotlighted on the site—or just shared with resilience and violence-prevention advocates at their home bases—to contact the community support coordinator at their wing or to email ACCA1.A1Z.CommunitySupport@us.af.mil for command follow-up.
“Last year’s resilience tactical pause was useful and eye-opening,” People truly appreciated the time spent in thoughtful small group discussions and told us they wanted more connection,’” Wilson said. “Creating more of these opportunities will help us relate to each other on a deeper level so we can maximize the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and ideas that exist within our units.”