Changes ahead at the HAWC

link U.S. Air Force Graphic: Airman 1st Class Shelby Kay-Fantozzi

27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

The Health and Wellness Center at Cannon Air Force Base offers a wealth of programs to encourage fitness and nutrition for Cannon’s Air Commandos — and with the program’s restructuring around the corner, the time is ripe to take advantage of all the HAWC has to offer.

The HAWC, Cannon’s link to community programs that optimize health and readiness, educate members on making healthy choices and create an environment that supports good fitness, works to support nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and tobacco cessation on base.

“We can help with everybody,” said Anthony Cook, 27th Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotion manager. “Everyone at Cannon, from active duty or civilian to retiree or dependent, can come in for our classes or our one-on-one counseling.”

Recurring classes at the HAWC include nutritional courses like “Smart Eating for a Healthier You,” “Healthy Hearts: Managing Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol,” Sports Nutrition and Pre- and Post-natal Exercise and Nutrition.

The HAWC also offers Individual consultations such as customized nutritional counseling or “exercise prescriptions.”

“We can help write a specific exercise program for people referred here by a doctor, or even someone who just wants to get in shape,” said Cook.

Cook warned that the individualized aspect of the program will undergo significant changes in October.

Base-wide education, including First Term Airmen’s Center briefings, classes on diet and exercise, and support of commander’s calls will become the main focus of the center at the start of the 2015 fiscal year, when HAWC programs across the Air Force will be restructured based on new policy.

“Our program will change to less one-on-one meetings and more classes and briefings,” said Cook.

Classes such as “Be Well,” the course that provides remedial support to Airmen who have scored low on their physical fitness assessments, will become computer-based, while other services previously offered by the HAWC’s exercise physiologist will be available through the 27th Special Operations Medical Group.

“We’re staying the course until the changes roll out in October,” Cook said.

To take advantage of the HAWC’s current offerings, pick up a July schedule of events (the HAWC is located behind the fitness center) or call 575-784-1004 for more information.