Dormitory residents receive quality of life upgrades to common rooms

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Dormitory residents are able to enjoy approximately $30,000 in quality of life upgrades to the common rooms of dormitory buildings.

Items included brand new ping pong, air hockey, and foosball tables. In addition to that, shuffle boards were added, as well as new furniture and new surround sound to existing televisions.

"We wanted to purchase things that would help boost morale for folks living in the dormitories here and provide them opportunities within their own building for activities, since sometimes going to use the Icebox in the winter can be tough," said Master Sgt. Jayson Singletary, the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron dormitory superintendent. "We chose indoor, recreational-type things that Airmen can use anytime, but especially in the winter when it's so cold and dark out."

Buildings 2196, 2200, 2202, 2204, 2262 and 2266 each now contain at least one new sound system, several game tables and various pieces of new furniture such as coffee tables, end tables, and sofas.

The upgrades were provided based on quality of life improvement ideas to the installation directed by the 354th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Michael Winkler and the 354th FW Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Brown.

"Taking care of Airmen is a priority for Colonel Winkler and myself," Brown said. "We are a small base in a remote area and so we want to make sure we provide the best quality of life we can to boost morale, encourage resiliency, and make Eielson a great place for Airmen to live and work."

Airmen residing in the dormitories can begin using the upgrades to the common rooms immediately.

"Everything is installed and ready for use," said Singletary. "We hope Airmen enjoy the new stuff in their buildings and we hope it makes life just a little bit better for all."