HAWC sets up service members for success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Good health and physical fitness have been linked to a well-rounded lifestyle, and the Airmen of the Osan Air Base Health and Wellness Center are here to keep Airmen on that path.

The HAWC's mission is to provide a healthier lifestyle for service members, dependents and contractors. To accomplish this, the staff offers classes to help improve nutrition, strength, cardio and overall fitness and to help reduce negative lifestyle habits.

"The aim of the Osan HAWC is to promote overall health fitness to the (Department of Defense) community to ensure optimal performance from members," said Senior Airman Taylor Simon, 51st Aerospace Medicine Squadron HAWC technician. "The classes we offer are not just about eating healthy, they offer comprehensive lessons that assist members to make better health choices."

Along with physical fitness training, the HAWC offers classes to educate people on high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes prevention. One of the most popular programs is the Tobacco Cessation class, which helps members quit smoking.

The HAWC also offers a wide-range of educational material to help improve healthy lifestyles, Simon said.

On average, the three-person shop assists more than 200 service members monthly with their health and fitness goals. The HAWC also operates the 51st Medical Group Nutritional Medicine Office.

"Currently we have a small but efficient shop," said Tech. Sgt. Evangeline Harden, 51st AMDS NCO in charge of the HAWC. "If the shop happens to be closed one day, it's because we are manning the other office, so check back."

In early fall, the center is scheduled to be fully manned, she said. The office is also slated to begin a series of new programs designed to motivated service members to live a healthy lifestyle over the holiday season as well as throughout the year.

For more information on programs or classes, to make an appointment, or to schedule a unit briefing, contact the HAWC at 784-4292 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The HAWC is located directly behind the Osan Fitness Center in Bldg. 1419.

"The HAWC doors are always open and we are here to work hard for members of the Osan team," Simon said. "We invite everyone to stop in on any day to learn more about our program offerings."