AETC Welcome Home Program salutes returnees Published Feb. 20, 2008 By Air Education and Training Command Services RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Headquarters Air Education and Training Command Services is welcoming home those returning from deployment with a special program that will provide lucky returnees and their families with grand prizes of a relaxing vacation. AETC military personnel who have been deployed more than 120 days in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom have an opportunity to register to win the prizes. "The AETC Welcome Home Program is a services program to salute our customers who have been deployed," said John T. Franklin III, AETC Marketing and Corporate Partnerships program manager. "The program allows us to give away several $2,500 travel vouchers for the winners to plan a vacation for some much deserved rest and relaxation. I wish I could give everyone who has deployed a voucher." The $2,500 grand prize travel vouchers may be redeemed for a vacation the winner plans. Members who returned during 2007 may check with their Airman and Family Readiness Center to confirm eligibility. There will be three drawings on or about May 30. AETC bases will forward semi-finalists to Headquarters AETC for a June 16 drawing. This drawing will be for two groups: those who returned during 2007 and those who returned in early 2008. We wanted to reach back and give the people who returned before the program was established a chance to win a prize, so everyone who deployed in 2007 is included in this first group, Mr. Franklin said. The second drawing for a grand prize is on Oct. 15, and the final drawing for the deploying groups in 2008 will be Feb. 15, 2009. "This program is taking a new approach to reaching Services customers. We are working in cooperation with the Airman and Family Readiness Centers at the bases," Mr. Franklin said. "They have the ability to identify people returning from a 120-day deployment and they are helping us get the word out to the people." The AETC Welcome Home Program will also provide Services the opportunity to inform returning personnel of all the other leisure travel and recreational programs and activities available at their installations. A corporate partnership with EG&G Technical Services, Inc. and Lear Siegler Services, have made possible enhancements to the program that will allow Services to award more vacation packages. EG&G/LSI is a defense contractor that provides a variety of support on Air Force installations. Sponsorship negotiations with other corporations are proceeding and other partners may be added. The AETC Welcome Home Program is conducted in cooperation with Airman and Family Readiness Centers. Entry forms are available at the Airman and Family Readiness Centers during Reintegration Briefings. (No Federal endorsement of sponsor is intended.)