MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- (Editor’s Note: This is the 1st article of a 5 part series on 908th Airlift Wing Key Spouses)
Tina Harstad is the 908th Airlift Wing Key Spouse Mentor. As the Key Spouse Mentor, she works with the wing leadership team to plan, coordinate and execute the wing’s Key Spouse Program. She is responsible for promoting partnerships and relationships between the unit’s Key Spouses, leadership, families and other installation agencies.
“I wanted to be a Key Spouse to ensure that our families are connected to the units and the Wing so that they know that there is support and contact for questions big and small,” said Harstad.
Harstad has been a Key Spouse Volunteer for almost nine years. She has served at the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis, the 926th Fighter Wing in Las Vegas and at the 310th Space Wing in Colorado Springs.
Harstad has been recognized and honored over the years for her selfless service. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year award. In 2015, she was inducted as the 14th member of the 934th Airlift Wing’s Order of the Global Viking. The Order of the Global Viking was established as a way for the Airmen of the 934th Airlift Wing to show their appreciation to individuals that give steadfast support and contributions to both the Wing and Air Force Reserve Command. Also, in 2015, Harstad was named the AFRC Key Spouse of the Year. After receiving the award, Harstad was personally coined by then AFRC Command Chief, Chief Cameron Kirsey. Harstad was then thanked for her dedication and service to the Airmen and their families of the 934th and the AFRC.
Harstad is married to Senior Master Sgt. Jim Harstad, 908th Force Support Squadron superintendent. They currently live in Montgomery, AL. Harstad has one adult son, Josiah, who lives with his wife in Dallas, TX.
Harstand says that it is vital for wings to have a strong Key Spouse program because, “There is always that chance that somebody might need help, and I might be the one to connect them to the resources that they need or the people that they need to talk to.”