Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Luera, 433rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment technician, runs to kick a ball during the Alamo Rising 6 annual kickball tournament at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, May 7, 2023. The kickball tournament was one of several activities at 433rd Airlift Wing Family Day. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mark Colmenares) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffNow that Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth has ended the Air Force’s practice of offering so-called Family Days – essentially extended three-day weekends for uniformed personnel, installation commanders are exploring ways to comply.
The Air and Space Forces Association (A&SFA) reported in an article on its web site that the days – typically a Friday or Monday before or after a scheduled holiday weekend – are being canceled in most cases. The article provided the following rundown:
• Air Force Global Strike Command will leave all but two dates – June 20 (Juneteenth) and Oct 10 (Columbus Day) – in place for the remainder of 2025.
• Air Mobility Command canceled Family Days on April 18 (Easter), Aug. 29 (Labor Day), Oct. 10, and Nov. 10 (Veterans Day).
• Air Force Reserve Command did not respond to A&SFA’s request for information, but the article cited social media posts that indicate it canceled all Family Days.
• Space Systems Command rescinded all Family Days after the July 4 Independence Day holiday.
• Air Education and Training Command is reviewing its policy with the intent of coming up with a plan to comply with the new rule. In the meantime, commanders can still grant passes as long as they support readiness and mission requirements.
• Air Force Special Operations Command is in the process of finalizing its Family Day schedule. Some days will likely be canceled.
• Air Force Materiel Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and Pacific Air Forces have yet to issue any updates, as of the article’s publication.
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