ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The upgrades at Andrews, to include the new Visitor Control Center, the placing of state, U.S. and Air Force flags at the Main Gate, as well as the constant construction of new facilities, are due to the efforts of Team Andrews members working to continuously improve and beautify the base. As the premier installation in the National Capital Region, Andrews members have a home and workplace worthy of the Air Force adage 'Above All.' However, a growing issue seems to be gnawing away at the installations facade like a bad blemish, and Andrews members are stepping up to put an end to the problem.
Team Andrews members are taking steps to further enhance the image appeal of Andrews by the removing unwanted debris and improving unkempt areas, and are looking for the support of every member of the installation to help them do it.
"I was amazed at how much garbage was around base when I actually looked," said Col. John Long, 316th Mission Support Group commander, "There were also street signs that were bent or broken, weeds grown up in many places, old police tape still stuck to telephone poles and flower boxes that were unused."
Similar to a city, there are times when citizens simply disregard or fail to see the cumulative effects of an assuming minor action, or of no action at all. The tossing of a piece of trash out of a car window may seem minor to one, but when done by thousands, can lead to a bigger problem. Colonel Long is working to reverse that cumulative effect, and turn it to the benefit of all Team Andrews.
"If five people could clean up in 15 minutes, imagine what 15,000 could do," Colonel Long said.
He is stepping up to lead a campaign to 'weed' out problem areas on the installation, see that they are remedied, and in turn, further enhance an already growing sense of Andrews pride.
His tactic is simple: visibility. In the next few weeks, Colonel Long is organizing a base cleanup and improvement party. The party will divide into smaller groups and travel to preplanned quadrants on the base. Through high visibility outings during duty hours, the group hopes to set a good example for other Andrews members.
"Everyone is responsible for this campaign of awareness," Colonel Long said. "Base pride should be a covenant to work and play at Andrews."