LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The 19th Airlift Wing paused operations to host its annual Wingman University Day here Aug. 7, 2026, encouraging the continuation of open discussions to form a deeper understanding and connection between Airmen of all ranks.
Organized by the installation's Community Action Team, the event offered dozens of courses spanning across Comprehensive Airman Fitness included financial, physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Organizers expect 2,500 Airmen to attend, reflecting steady growth from 2,100 participants last year.
"The primary goal for Wingman University every year is personal and professional development," said Joshua Barry, Chief of the Integrated Resilience Office.
The designated down-day allowed Airmen to step outside their primary duties and develop life skills that often go unaddressed after initial training.
"We're giving them tools to make themselves better and make the mission better," Barry said. "It’s an opportunity to take care of yourself, both in and out of uniform, so you can take care of those around you."
A few favorites returned, including a mindfulness-focused "mind gym" session and a chapel-hosted barbecue class, the first two courses to reach capacity for the second consecutive year. New additions were also introduced this year including injury risk mitigation and rucking classes, targeting Airmen who are increasingly sidelined by improper workout techniques.
This year’s event featured a new session first was the Avatar Dialogues simulator, a 90-minute communication skills training, designed to put Airmen in the hot seat. Participants interacted with an on-screen avatar that responded in real-time to their tone and word choice. This allowed Airmen to rehearse challenging scenarios like confronting a struggling subordinate or a messy roommate before they happen.
Margarita Overton,19th AW Integrated Prevention & Response Director and session facilitator, said the exercise is designed to let Airmen fail safely.
"We want to set this up as a brave space for learning," Overton said. "When we avoid difficult conversations, issues fester and impact work dynamics."
Unlike standard role-playing, the training included a safety net feature that allowed Participants to pause the avatar conversation and ask the room for coaching, then say resume conversation to pick up where they left off.
Overton rans three scenarios per session, demonstrating how different approaches yield different outcomes. In one dorm inspection scenario, a participant avoided labels like "lazy" and focused on shared goals. This approach led the avatar to admit a lack of cleaning knowledge, resulting in a collaborative-solution like a chore chart.
A live operator controlled the avatar behind the scenes, ensuring realistic reactions based on the participant’s empathy and rapport.
"They react," Overton said, noting the avatar pushes back against aggressive or discourteous approaches. In one session, the avatar immediately called out an Airman who launched into disciplinary action without a basic greeting.
Overton recalled one participant who ended a session early due to emotional exhaustion. Consequently, the training emphasized self-care and boundaries, teaching Airmen how to recharge after emotionally taxing conversations.
The session concluded by connecting Airmen with broader support networks, using a QR-code flowchart to link them with chaplains, mental health providers, or other agencies depending on the situation.
"We're not here to be counselors," Overton said. "We're here to be supportive and let them know we want them to overcome whatever challenge."
Course creation and selection began months in advance as a coordinated effort for base and community helping agencies.
Organizers use enrollment data and course evaluations to shape future offerings. Barry said that the event was a direct reputation of the Community Action Team's year-round efforts.
"It highlights the Community Action Team concept," he said. "All the different helping agencies jumped into teaching classes. This is one of many days that we come together to take care of our Airmen."