Icemen teamwork keeps Eielson clean

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. William Farrow
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  All Icemen are expected to participate in a base-wide Spring clean-up and safety day to remove the trash that accumulates over a long Alaskan winter. 

Various squadrons are responsible to clean in and around their building and compounds and to clean open areas and roadways in their assigned area. 

"As a community, we have to keep our base clean for both the environment and appearance. There is no doubt the winter is a challenge for us, but now is the time to make a difference at work and at home," said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Ludwig, 354th Fighter Wing command chief master sergeant. Chief Ludwig also said after the annual unit clean-up, the Iceman team must continue to help keep the base clean. 

"It's obvious that both the 168th Air Refueling Wing and the 354th Fighter Wing care about mission success. How we care for the base is just another way we demonstrate our pride in getting the job done right--so if you see trash...pick it up or straighten up items that are out of place and please ask your families to do the same" he said. 

To ensure a clean flight line, a FOD walk commences at 7 a.m., May 4. 

Master Sgt. David Brown, 354th Fighter Wing FOD Prevention NCO, said attendees are encouraged to bring a trash bag and dress for the weather (leather gloves are recommended) for the early morning clean up of the flightline area. 

He explained that different units are responsible for certain areas of the flight line and buses will transport participants to their specified areas and then return them to their duty areas after the cleaning is completed. 

"Participants will form and maintain line from start to finish and participating chief master sergeants will set the pace," he said. 

Debris will be collected at Taxiway Charlie. 

Buses start for the airfield at 6:30 a.m. additional runs will happen until 6:45 a.m. 

Sergeant Brown asked that people display restricted area badges or stay close to badge holders when necessary and people should not enter priority 2 area (alert KC-135).