Harstad inducted into Order of the Global Vikings

  • Published
  • By Paul Zadach
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION --  Tina Harstad, president of the 934th Airlift Wing Key Spouse/Supporter Program, was inducted into the 934th Airlift Wing's 2015 Order of the Global Vikings at a ceremony here May 6.  
The order of the Global Vikings was established as a way for the airmen of the 934th airlift wing to show their appreciation to certain people for the steadfast support they have given, and the many outstanding contributions they have made to both the Wing and the Air Force Reserve.

Harstad is the fourteenth member to be inducted into the Order.  The program began as the Order of the  Flying Vikings but the name was redesignated in  2011 as the Order of the Global Vikings.  The name was updated to reflect the global mission of the 934th Airlift Wing and its motto--Global Vikings.

During the past year, Harstad took a  Key Spouse program that was struggling and turned it into a strong community of volunteers. Under her direction, the number of active volunteers increased from 12 to more than 40, and it is still growing. 
Harstad played an important role in supporting the 2014 family day event and previous family day events which attract more than 2,000 airmen and family members each year.  To help make family day a success, Harstad and her key spouse volunteers reached out to several local business partners for support.  The corporate support is what makes family day possible as there are no appropriated funds for the event.  On top of that, the key spouse volunteers  also donated items many themselves.

She has  also been heavily involved in other wing programs, such as Airmen helping Airmen, which is the holiday program  that supported over 138 military members in five different states, and the bundles for babies program  in which 10 new parents received invaluable parenting coaching.

One of her key accomplishments was helping the Key Spouse/Supporter  organization to become a private organization, which means they can now focus on fund-raising activities and events that directly contribute to the wing morale and welfare fund.
"It is a great honor for me to receive this award," said Harstad. " The support of the Wing leadership has really made the success of the Key Spouse/Supporter program possible.  I also have to thank Airman and Family Readiness for all of their programs that make it possible to reach out and help our Airmen."

Col. Todd J. McCubbin, 934th Airlift Wing commander,  presented Harstad with a crystal globe award and also unveiled the plaque that displays her name as the newest member of the Order.

"Tina has transformed our Key Spouse/Supporter program in to one of the best in the command," said Colonel McCubbin.  She is a true asset to our wing who is also very active in our military community by participating in the Base Community Council, Community Action Information board and the Unity of Effort Program.  I am proud to induct Tina into this group of people who have played such a significant role in the success of the 934th Airlift Wing."