ARC Athena’s Encore: Langley AFB hosts second annual event Published May 20, 2024 By Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi 911th Airlift Wing LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The United States Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard fused their efforts to host the second annual ARC Athena at Langley Air Force Base from April 29-30, 2024. Drawing over 400 individuals, with approximately 270 in-person attendees, ARC Athena served as a platform for fostering advancements and collaboration on women’s and family centric issues within the Air Reserve Component. Amidst the backdrop of one of the Air Force's coastal installations, ARC Athena brought together military personnel from all levels, general officers, academics, and government officials. Together they Explored solutions sewn from grassroots levels as they addressed nine unique challenges faced by today's Citizen Airmen. “This year was a big year. It was a big year in the Air Force really, said Lt. Col. Kimberly Collier, ANG co-chair for ARC Athena and director of readiness for the Washington ANG Civil Engineering staff augmentation team. “We have more Guard this year than we had last year. So we’re spreading the word and… coming together for how we can work together and improve." With word of ARC Athena spreading like wildfire in the Guard and Reserve, the Air National Guard showed up in force making up approximately 56% of attendees, countering the inaugural event's Reservist heavy attendance. Brig. Gen. Catherine M. Jumper, Chief of Staff, Virginia Air National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters, speaks with Deanne Criswell, the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, during ARC Athena's second annual event on April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Jumper has served in all three components of the U.S. Air Force, including ten years on active duty in various units in Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Education and Training Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Lt. Col. Kim Collier, ARC Athena co-lead and 248th Civil Engineer Flight's director of readiness, hosts key note speaker Deanne Criswell, the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, during the second annual ARC Athena event on April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. ARC Athena actively addresses barriers impacting women in the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Col. Amy Nutter, 101st Maintenance Group commander, takes notes during ARC Athena's second annual event on April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. ARC Athena support nine lines of effort: childcare programs; pregnancy discrimination and maternal biases; aircraft limitations and sanitation; gear and uniform limitations; countering sexual assault and harassment; implementing lactation rooms and in vitro fertilization policies; maternal fitness and recovery; specialized mental healthcare programs; and implementing an Exceptional Family Member Program which provides comprehensive and coordinated support to families with special needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Maj. Kristina Himmelreich, ARC Athena line of effort lead and pilot assigned to the 732nd Airlift Squadron, gives a presentation during the second annual ARC Athena event on April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Himmelreich spoke on new requirements and policies regarding lactation rooms and in vitro fertilization. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The event featured an array of presentations, panel discussions, and keynote speakers showcasing the latest policy changes and continued challenges in nine unique lines of effort such as childcare, maternal fitness, female specialized health care and issues, lactation rooms and in vitro fertilization, countering sexual assault and harassment, aircraft limitations and sanitation, and the Exceptional Family Member Program. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts and explore potential opportunities for collaboration. “We've had huge advancements, especially in Line of Effort One which is child care and LOE Nine, the Exceptional Family Member Program as far as getting initiatives pushed out to our very senior leaders, and actually coordinating and doing congressional liaisons.” With heavy support from the ANG, the ARC Athena team grew tenfold in size increasing their overall momentum and influence. “We've been able to do a lot more campaigning this past year," said Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Shatzman, the co-chair for AFRC and senior enlisted leader for the 911th Operations Group. “We were held on multiple panels within the last year and we've had several LOE champions and posture input since our two policies were released last year.” In addition to emerging policy changes, ARC Athena also provided two forums for discussing critical issues facing the Air Reserve Component. The Parthenon Panel, a group of representatives from each Athena initiative – Torch, Sword, Dagger, Reach and ARC Athena – spoke on the genesis of their programs and the continuing success of each, underscoring that each was born by imposing challenges and fortified by that struggle. One of the key themes that emerged from ARC Athena was the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. Maj. Gen. Regina “Torch” Sabric, the 10th Air Force commander, stated that ARC Athena, though on a much larger scale, reminded her of her time at Luke AFB, Arizona, as one of only four female fighter pilots who banded together to navigate caring for their families while serving in a military capacity. “We started our own fighter pilot association for stuff like this," said Sabric. “No one ever really talked to us about how to care for a family and fly, how to handle female specific issues, so we formed our own little group. Our grassroots efforts back then were no different than this bigger grassroots effort right now. We have got to make things better for those Airmen coming up behind us.” Additionally, Schatzman and Collier highlighted the value of persistence and determination in advocacy for change. Deanne Criswell, the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, speaks during the second annual ARC Athena event on April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. ARC Athena actively address barriers impacting women in the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Chief Master Sgt. Eva Appiah, Air Force Reserve Command's congressional liaison and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve, speaks during the second annual ARC Athena event, April 30, 2024, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Airmen volunteering in support of ARC Athena actively address barriers impacting women in the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res More than 270 Airmen from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard attend the second annual ARC Athena event, April 29, 2024. The event also attracted more than 170 virtual attendees as well. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master. Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res A sign for ARC Athena sits in the entry of the Bayside Commonwealth Community Center, in preparation for the second annual ARC Athena Event, April 29, 2024, at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The sign was fabricated by the 1st Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology flight from the same sheet metal used in The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res "There is one thing I need you all to understand,” said Schatzman. “In less than two year’s time, ARC Athena was a conversation in a classroom filled with career enlisted aviators. Today, ARC Athena is a conversion on Capitol Hill and will continue to break barriers in the AFRC and ANG" As events drew to a close, Schatzman played a clip of Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, the chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, testifying before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, just hours earlier on April 30. “Our most important weapon system is and always has been our Airmen,” Healy testified. We are focused on ensuring that Airmen and their families receive the support they need. Two of our most significant lines of effort focus on providing accessible and affordable childcare for our members as well as making healthcare more accessible for family members with special needs through the Exceptional Family Member Program.” Two very familiar lines of effort for all Airmen connected to the efforts of ARC Athena. “This is what happens when you keep talking and keep the conversation going," said Shatzman. This is what happens when you don’t take a ‘No’ from someone who is not in a position to give you a ‘Yes.’ You make real change.” As the defense community looks towards the future, events like ARC Athena and its four sisters will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the culture and capabilities of tomorrow. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the United States Air Reserve Component remains ready to defend the nation in an ever-changing world.