Westover center wins family readiness award Published Feb. 3, 2009 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 439th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., will receive a Department of Defense-level award in February for helping deployed Airmen and their families. Each year military reserve components name their 2008 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award winner. Air Force Reserve Command picked the Westover center. A board of military and civilian officials selected the 439th AW center for its service, impact on readiness, impact on quality of life and relationship with unit leaders, said Wes Patton, program manager for Airman and Family Readiness Branch at Headquarters AFRC. The Westover center, staffed by two full-timers and volunteers, provided outreach to and maintained 100 percent contact with families of all deployed members. One notable Westover program, "Operation: Pillowcase," took pictures of more than 185 deployed Airmen, printed the photos on pillowcases and mailed them to their families. The Westover center also kept families informed when new Airmen attended basic military training and technical school. "It is an honor to be recognized by the Department of Defense as 2008's Family Readiness Award recipient," said Master Sgt. Kimberly A. Babin, NCO in charge of the Westover center. "To be acknowledged for our accomplishments on behalf of our service to the men and women in uniform of all branches and their families is truly rewarding." Sergeant Babin and her fellow workers in the center will be recognized at an awards ceremony in the Pentagon Feb 13. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)