Command Corner: April 18 Published April 18, 2008 By Col. Steven Harrison 436th Airlift Wing DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Congratulations once again Team Dover! Tuesday's announcement of Dover's selection as the Air Force's winner of the 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence clearly validates your success in developing creative solutions that better enable our mobility team to accomplish its mission at home and abroad more effectively than any other base in the world's finest Air Force. In fact, the Secretary of Defense has specifically determined that no total force team used its resources more effectively to move the mission, had greater bottom-to-top communication, a greater focus on energy conservation, more valuable quality-of-life initiatives, or a greater focus on safety. Receiving this recognition is impressive in its own right, but it's even more significant given the vital mission air mobility currently plays at this historic time in our nation's history. As you've heard me say before, there are no inherently great organizations ... it takes outstanding leaders at all levels who, through dedication, selfless service and commitment to full-spectrum excellence, bring life and distinction to their organizations. You have done that, and the practical effect at this critical junction in our nation's history is that your efforts directly translate into saving lives and delivering freedom around the world and around the clock, every day of the year. What a thrill for the Secretary of Defense and the United States Air Force to recognize the value of our mission and the excellence of the people who execute it by selecting Team Dover as the first Air Mobility Command base to earn this recognition in the prestigious award's 23-year history ... you have every reason to be proud! Now for the fun part! Two months ago, I queried Airmen from throughout the wing for recommendations on how best to spend the $1 million in award money should we win the Installation Excellence competition. The criteria was simple -- focus on ideas that will enhance safety or quality of life for the broadest spectrum of our Airmen including active duty, reserve, civilians, single Airmen, married members and their families, and retirees. In response, I received almost 40 suggestions. Over the next four weeks, in this column, I will respond to every suggestion. Some are feasible, while others are out of reach ... but you took the time to provide the suggestions, and so I'll take the time to respond. Here's the first installment! Suggestion: "Improve the base theater." Response: Approved. Our theater is badly in need of renovation and this is a something our entire total force team can utilize for both professional and recreational activities. It is also a "dual-use facility," in that it is used by both the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings and AAFES, so teaming with AAFES offers good synergy. The 436th Airlift Wing will upgrade the paint, replace the chairs and flooring, install new carpet and curtains, repair the stage floor and renovate the bathrooms. AAFES will update the snack bar area and evaluate the projection and sound systems for potential upgrades. Estimated cost: $450,000. Suggestion: "Rebuild the baseball and soccer fields at the Youth Center and add lights." Response: I'd love to, but the fields are in relatively good condition and this would require a significant investment for which I don't think we'd get the "bang for the buck." Rebuilding the fields and adding lights is estimated to cost $300,000 per field. Given that they are currently used exclusively for Youth Center soccer in the spring and fall, I can't justify the expenditure. However, there is good news -- we are nearing completion of a brand-new, 39,000-square foot Youth Center to benefit all our school-age children ... and it's going to be VERY nice! Suggestion: "Install crosswalk lights on Atlantic St." Response: Approved. Atlantic St. crossings have long been identified as hazardous by several organizations including Wing Safety. Over time we have tried several safety enhancements, but the crossings remain hazardous for all our personnel, especially in dim lighting. We will install button-activated, flush-mounted lights across the three-busiest intersections on Atlantic. The lights will flash when pedestrian traffic is crossing the street. Cost: $35,000. Suggestion: "Construct a gazebo at the Air Traffic Control Facility for Flight Functions." Response: I'd prefer to use our IEA money for a wider audience. Recommend you suggest this to your squadron or group leadership for consideration. Suggestion: "Invest in new sports equipment for the Youth Center." Response: Services Squadron has a good program in place to secure end of year funds for equipment replacement and we will continue to rank their needs highly on the end of year list. I believe that is the best funding stream for this important project. Suggestion: "Build a traffic light at the intersection of Atlantic and Eagle Way to improve traffic flow and safety." Response: I agree that traffic congestion at Eagle and Atlantic is considerable. Regrettably, our traffic working group has specifically looked at this recommendation and determined that installing a traffic light so close to the main intersection would actually increase congestion. We also looked at installing a traffic circle but we don't have the space to accommodate truck traffic en route to the Aerial Port. I've asked the traffic working group to go back to the drawing board. Bottomline: Good input. I don't have a solution yet, but we are still looking for options. Suggestion: "Replace boating equipment at Outdoor Recreation." Response: Great idea, although I'd prefer to use IEA funds for programs that benefit a larger portion of our population than typically rents these boats. However, this is an ideal end of year purchase and Services Squadron has placed it on their priority list. Suggestion: "Repair base running track, reseed the center of the field and install an operational water fountain." Response: Great idea and Civil Engineering is now on it. We'll repair the track, place a water fountain at the new latrine we recently built by the track, and reseed the center field. Cost: $16,200. Thanks so much for the many terrific inputs! Next week I'll focus on the many excellent suggestions I received related to improvements in the fitness center. Over the last year, you have demonstrated your commitment to the Air Force's "Fit to Fight" program by moving from eighth place in AMC's fitness statistics to No. 1 in both percentage of members meeting AF fitness standards and fitness test currency rates. I'm very excited to share our path to funding the improved facilities you've earned!! Winner of the 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence ... another reason Team Dover is "America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!"