Airman ethic makes the impossible happen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Bryon McGarry
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Iceman Team recently accomplished an enormous undertaking the Air Force way - Airmen taking care of Airmen.

Following the end of its 20-year Sprucewood Homes development lease in August, Eielson AFB leadership made the difficult decision to relocate 241 families on very short notice.

"Following unresolved negotiations with the Sprucewood Homes development ownership to continue our lease, we had to move quickly to make sure our families were taken care of before the lowest winter temperatures hit," said Brig. Gen. Dave Scott, 354th Fighter Wing commander. "I'm extremely proud of how our Iceman Team came together to support one another through this entire process."

The relocation plan was implemented in September, and the base leaders took an aggressive approach to get Sprucewood's military residents into other homes by the end of 2006. By Dec. 28, all Sprucewood families had been relocated.

The Air Force currently plans to negotiate the removal of the Sprucewood development from Eielson AFB. After this occurs, new units will be built that meet current Air Force housing standards.

"This is truly an example of the Wingman concept in action - Airmen going the extra mile to help Airmen," said General Paul Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander,. "They worked to minimize the stress associated with the situation and made sure all affected families were in place in their new homes before the holiday season and harshest weather hit."

General Scott specifically noted the efforts of the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron's housing office in not only easing the transition for relocated residents, but also in handling the steady influx of new personnel and families to Eielson.

"We asked 241 of our families to make these short-notice moves, and our housing office did an outstanding job of making that process run smoothly," General Scott said. "They've also simultaneously accommodated all of our new arrivals to the base. We averaged about 21 days to get our new arrivals signed in to base and in a home, which is well under the Air Force temporary lodging allowance standard of 60 days."

At a Sprucewood Town Hall meeting held in August, General Scott fielded a panel of subject matter experts from throughout the base to address questions from affected Icemen and their families.

Airman 1st Class Wesley Rawson, 354th CES, said the information he gleaned from housing office counselors and the Town Hall meeting was vital in easing his family's anxiety over the move.

"Overall, we were very happy with the service," Airman Rawson said. "We learned a lot from the Town Hall - the panel answered every question my wife and I had. She was a little worried early on and called housing for some answers. The service was absolutely wonderful and made her feel a lot more comfortable about the move."

Lt. Col. Gary Schneider, 354th CES commander, said communication throughout the process was key.

"This was a fast-moving train, but the minute the first Town Hall meeting was over, the entire base populace was on board. Our number one goal was to minimize the stress placed on our Airmen and their families during this difficult time, and to ensure families were not relocating in the -50 degree F temperatures of January and February." he said.

"We tapped absolutely every available resource to make this happen, and this involved every unit on Eielson. From the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron expediting household goods moves, to the 354th Mission Support Squadron fielding calls from inbound personnel, to the housing office working closely with local rental agencies and landlords to identify adequate off-base homes, all Eielson families were taken care of in a fast and professional manner. A member of our Housing Flight even received flowers from an appreciative customer. It was nice to know that excellent customer service prevailed during this very hectic time!"

The 354 Communications Squadron also helped base leadership create a Sprucewood Web site, which included all Town Hall briefings, a list of frequently asked questions and points of contact to ensure relocating and inbound families had current information.

Col. James Martin, 354th Mission Support Group Commander, added that the housing office took specialized steps to ensure each family's satisfaction.

"Housing office counselors worked with each individual family on a case-by-case basis," Colonel Martin said. "They sent out a detailed survey to all Sprucewood residents to identify any special circumstances that might apply to them, such as deployed spouses or medical conditions, to ensure each family received what they needed."

In addition to helping limit the impact to residents, the mass relocation provided the Sprucewood Homes owner more time to plan and recover the 300 units from Eielson. Although the Air Force had renewed the development lease for another annual term expiring in August, 2007, the relocation effort gives the owner until January 2008 (the date the owner is required to have moved the units under his lease of the land from the Air Force) to plan, prepare and move the duplex and quadplex units. The additional time is particularly beneficial to the owner, as planning can center around the better months of weather for the transport phase.

"All in all, this was the smoothest mass-move of people I'll probably see in my career," Colonel Schneider said. "And we pretty much owe it to the professionalism of all the Wingmen and their families on Eielson. I don't think I heard the word 'can't' the entire time. Everyone involved simply found ways to make the impossible happen."