Airmen serve Oahu community during Jungle Day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Continuing their efforts to serve and give back to the Oahu community, more than 150 13th Air Force Airmen volunteered in communities throughout Oahu during Jungle Day March 13. 

Jungle Day, traditionally observed on Friday the 13th, provided 13th AF Airmen a number of opportunities for community service. Airmen volunteered at the River of Life Mission and visited children at the Kalihi Elementary School. They also spent time cleaning trash and drift wood from Waimanalo Bay, Blaisdel Bike Park and Ala Moana Beach Park. 

"Today is all about service; it's about giving of ourselves," said Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, the 13th AF commander, to the volunteers before the day's activities. "You will serve in soup kitchens that help people who three months ago had a house; you will visit classrooms where our future sits and represent to them responsibility, education, and leadership; and hopefully you'll take away something valuable through your service to others." 

During a visit to the River Life Mission, Airmen prepared and served meals to those in need. They also took time to meet the people there. 

"The success of the River Life Mission depends on the generous donations and volunteer efforts of people who make service to others a priority," said James Webb, the River of Life Mission manager. "We are thankful that Hickam Airmen decided to serve at River Life Mission, and we continue to pray for them and their safety."

Thirteenth AF has observed Jungle Day on Oahu since 2007. It is a tradition that originated when the organization was assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Jungle Day is intended as a day to bring 13th AF Airmen together through both recreational activities and community service.
 
Thirteenth AF is responsible for command, control and execution of air, space, and information operations capabilities across the full range of military operations in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility, excluding the Korea theater of operations.