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AFGSC Earth Day activities take "Action Today for a Greener Tomorrow"

  • Published
  • By Megan A. Orton
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Today, in observance of Earth Day, Airmen throughout Air Force Global Strike Command partner with their local communities to educate citizens on how to preserve the natural resources of our planet, and how the Air Force is doing the same.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Air Force has chosen the theme "Action Today for a Greener Tomorrow."

"As we continue to 'fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace,' we are dedicated to the responsibility of finding solutions which support and enhance our operations while protecting our natural resources," said the Honorable Terry Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, in a recent letter to Airmen.

Frederic Oelrich, AFGSC chief of environmental stability, stressed the importance of the Command's observance of Earth Day in conjunction with AFGSC community partners.

"Events like Earth Day bring together the citizens of our wings' communities with members of the Air Force community, allowing us to illustrate our cooperation in ensuring the environment around our installations is important and will be preserved to the greatest extent possible," Mr. Oelrich said.

At Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron is educating the community on how they contribute to these efforts. The base participates in a variety of programs annually in observance of Earth Day, including the Great Falls Earth Day Celebration, held annually at the Great Falls Civic Center.

"Events like these help the community to have an understanding of how the base is ensuring that we are good neighbors to the city of Great Falls," said Frank Carpenter, the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron's solid waste program manager and Earth Day committee chair.

Attendees of the April 24 event have the opportunity to hear from sponsor companies about "green" solutions and can grab a bag of chips in a compostable bag and a free soda in a recyclable cup. The Boys and Girls Club will be conducting recycling games and contests for the kids, while other local organizations will conduct recycling programs like a book swap and a used eyeglass collection. Attendees can also see a hybrid vehicle display, storm water demonstrations from the Boy Scouts, and solar cooker demonstrations from a company that uses solar cookers to make brownies. The base itself hosts several information booths at the event with representatives from Malmstrom's natural resources, pollution prevention, and energy teams.

In preparation for the Earth Day celebration, the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron also holds a poster contest for local children in grades 1-6, and the winners will be announced by the mayor of Great Falls at the celebration. The top 12 posters are used to put together an Earth Day desk calendar is given out on base. CES squadron members also brief about 25 elementary schools a year on Earth Day and its importance.

At Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron has hosted events throughout the month to raise awareness about Earth Day.

Activities kicked off with an Earth Day 5K held on base April 9. Students at Whiteman Elementary will be decorating recycling bins provided by the Engineer Squadron April 22, which will then be placed in high-traffic areas around base to encourage recycling.

"Older people are pretty set in their ways, so we target young people in order to start good habits now," said Glenn Golson, 509th CES environmental elements chief.

Other events included a scavenger hunt April 16-17, the winners of which will be announced April 22 at the Youth Center Earth Day carnival. Whiteman's commissary and base exchange are also promoting "green" products and the engineer squadron is giving away energy-efficient lightbulbs and reusable shopping bags on base.

"These are things we don't do just once a year," Mr. Golson said. "Our goal is to change the way people think about recycling, conservation and energy awareness, and make these habits a part of people's everyday lives."

At F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron hosted local 5th and 6th graders for an environmental tour of the base April 21. Similarly, Barksdale AFB's 2d Civil Engineer Squadron hosted local elementary school children April 21-22 for Earth Day activities including nature walks, recycling center tours and introduction to indigenous wildlife of Louisiana.

"When personnel at our installations go out into the community and participate in important activities like this, we demonstrate we also are aware of and are active participants in the global welfare of the planet," Mr. Oelrich said.

The Air Force is trustee to more than 8 million acres of land, water and air assets including more than 234,000 acres of wetlands, 570,000 acres of forested landscape, 200 miles of preserved coastline, and 70 threatened and endangered species. Recently, the Air Force was named the winner of an award for natural resource conservation, two awards for environmental restoration and an award for environmental excellence in weapon system acquisition.

"We are a part of the community," Mr. Oelrich said. "The members of our installations live within the communities around our bases. By participating in events like Earth Day, we are giving back to the communities that support us on a day-to-day basis."