HAWC features mission and more at expo Published March 26, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Health and Wellness Center staff hosted a Health Expo March 23 featuring a variety of health-related services available on base. "The purpose of the Health Expo was to open the HAWC to the community to see offerings we have and to bring the (39th Medical Group representatives) in to be able to showcase the resources they have available," said Tech. Sgt. Michelle Hardin, NCO in charge of the HAWC. "This is the first time in a long time we've done something this big of this nature," Hardin said. In attendance at the expo were representatives from the dental flight, fire department, ambulatory services, mental health, physical therapy and many others. A number of Team Incirlik members toured the HAWC halls visiting the various information booths and taking advantage of the many services provided during the expo. Medics and HAWC staff members provided blood pressure screenings, body fat measurements, running shoe assessments and food safety demonstrations. "Bringing the community into the building showed we're not here to harp on people for failing their (physical fitness assessments) and losing weight," Hardin said. "We showed that there's a lot more to offer." The whole purpose of the HAWC is to "promote a healthy lifestyle for our Airmen," she added. While the HAWC provides an abundance of information, services and programs, there is a handful most often used by HAWC customers and others of which many people are not aware. "A lot of people don't know we have the aqua massager or that we have a gym," Hardin noted. "Right now, the Bod Pod is very popular, and so is the gait analysis." The Bod Pod is an egg-shaped machine that assesses one's body composition and resting metabolic rate. Coupled with advice from the exercise physiologist and the HAWC, the BoD Pod can provide a starting point, way point and assessment of results from one's fitness efforts. The gait analysis program provides an evaluation of one's running technique for the assessor to explain inefficiencies and dysfunctions in running style. Running and push-up improvement classes, physical training leader and fitness assessment cell augmenter courses, fitness classes, healthy weight classes and commissary tours are also available through the HAWC. For more information on HAWC programs and opportunities, call DSN 676-4292.