SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 932nd Airlift Wing recently held a Resiliency Quest event for the Citizen Airmen and civilian employees on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 3, 2025.
Resiliency Quest provided an opportunity for Citizen Airmen to connect with agencies and resources available to them as service members.
Master Sgt. Amos Reed, 932nd AW resilience integrator, advocated on the importance of the event stating “it is a good opportunity for those preparing to deploy to gain some pointed resource options; and also learn about resilience from others who have lived a life of resilience.”
Some of the resources supporting the event were the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Got Your Six and Dogs That Help therapy dog teams, Red Cross Blood Drive, Metro East Vet Center, United Service Organization (USO), and Wing Chaplain services.
Attendees at the event said they were all helpful tools and resources to better prepare them for challenges they may face in life or on deployments.
The Wing also welcomed U.S. Air Force retired Col. Melchizedek “Kato” Martinez, a career tactical communications officer, to share his family’s harrowing story during the event.
On March 22, 2016, Martinez and his family were one of the victims of the terrorist bombing at the Brussels International Airport, Belgium.
Martinez lost his wife, Gail, and his children sustained critical injuries from the attack.
Martinez remarked on his four “why’s” that inspire him to push forward during one of the darkest moments of his life.
“Love of God, love for the military family, love for children, and love of a beautiful woman (his wife),” said Martinez.
During the closing chapter of the speech, Airmen were able to ask Martinez questions on resilience and share some of their own stories.
Col. Jeffrey Smith, 932nd AW commander, who was directly involved in the recovery of Martinez and his family during the bombing, shared his closing remarks.
“Thank you for sharing your testimony and your story. Thank you for being a part of our family, and coming today. Today is not done, it is still a quest…” said Smith. “This is a journey of being resilient and it doesn’t stop at just this event."