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Team JSTARS leaders say thanks with Family Day

By Tech. Sgt. Regina Young, 116th ACW Public Affairs / Published November 13, 2012

Families from Team Joint STARS gather together for a time of food, fun, and fellowship during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Neville/Released)
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Families from Team Joint STARS gather together for a time of food, fun, and fellowship during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Neville/Released)

Families from Team Joint STARS tour the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Neville/Released)
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Families from Team Joint STARS tour the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Neville/Released)

Josey Rackley learns about the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft from Capt. Christopher Hanes, 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)
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Josey Rackley learns about the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft from Capt. Christopher Hanes, 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)

Master Sgt. Benny Smith, 116th Medical Group, 78th Joint Task Force, medical logisitic technician, explains the mission of the 78th JTF during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. Family Day gave the 78th JTF personnel an opportunity to bring awareness to their mission to respond to domestic incidents as directed by the Governor. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)
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Master Sgt. Benny Smith, 116th Medical Group, 78th Joint Task Force, medical logisitic technician, explains the mission of the 78th JTF during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. Family Day gave the 78th JTF personnel an opportunity to bring awareness to their mission to respond to domestic incidents as directed by the Governor. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)

Maj. Kerena Zaloudek, 330th Combat Training Squadron, paints a puppy dog on the face of Avery Register during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)
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Maj. Kerena Zaloudek, 330th Combat Training Squadron, paints a puppy dog on the face of Avery Register during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)

Maj. Kerena Zaloudek, 330th Combat Training Squadron, shows Avery Register a puppy dog she painted on his face during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)
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Maj. Kerena Zaloudek, 330th Combat Training Squadron, shows Avery Register a puppy dog she painted on his face during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)

Tech. Sgt. James Cheney, 116th Comptroller Flight, mans the World Games Baseball booth while Jasmine Perez connects with the ball during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)
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Tech. Sgt. James Cheney, 116th Comptroller Flight, mans the World Games Baseball booth while Jasmine Perez connects with the ball during the 116th and 461st Air Control wings annual Family Day celebration at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. This marked the 10th annual Family Day for JSTARS. The yearly event provides an opportunity to thank families for their support. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons/Released)

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Robins Air Force Base -- Saturday was a day of celebration for Team JSTARS as they marked their 10th annual Family Day.

According to Team JSTARS leadership, the event was designed to provide Airmen, soldiers and civilians an opportunity to spend the day with their families and thank them for their support. More than 1,400 people attended.

"It was an awesome way to say thanks to the ones who support us the most," said Col. Kevin Clotfelter, 116th Air Control Wing commander.

Families were able to tour the E-8C Joint STARS aircraft with aircrew members from the 128th and 16th Airborne Command and Control squadrons who explained first-hand how Team JSTARS works together to support combatant commanders around the world.

"It was a lot of fun," said 1st Lt. Robert Belus, 16th ACCS. "A lot of kids were really excited to see what their parents do."

The children's hangar was a hub of activity with inflatable games, cotton candy and a live replica of the Batmobile.

Outside, the weather provided a perfect backdrop for the 5K "runway" fun run/walk and a car and motorcycle show.

The 116th Medical Group, 78th Joint Task Force, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives medical element also shared their missions with the crowd. "The response of the people has been excellent," said Master Sgt. Benny Smith, 116th MDG, 78th JTF medical logistics technician. "A lot of people didn't know we had these capabilities in the state of Georgia."

Col. Dean Worley, 461st ACW commander, attributed the day's turnout of more than 1,000 wing members to a lot of planning and hard work from volunteers. "It was indeed a big success, well done." he said.