Wood shop offers creative outlet for Kunsan Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sonny Cohrs
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  After winning the cardboard boat regatta last month, one of the amateur shipbuilders decided to explore another creative outlet - woodworking.

Senior Airman Philip Bennett, 8th Maintenance Operations Squadron weapons standardization load crew member, drew out plans and rolled up his sleeves at the Arts and Craft Center's woodshop here. He used his winnings - Wolf Pack won - to purchase building materials and pay for his time in the wood shop to make something his co-workers could benefit from.

"I'm working on a dartboard case for our squadron," Bennett said. "We've got to keep it professional though, so it's going to have a bulletin board on the outside and [when] you open it open ... it'll have the dartboard case on the inside."

Bennett started with the wood shop's safety course, a requirement for anyone wanting to use the assorted saws, planers and sanders. Following that, he got to work right away.
He's spent time before and after work and over the weekend to turn a pile of wood into a team-building tool for his squadron.

"My favorite part of the wood shop is definitely having everything all in one place," he said. "Being able to walk in, hand them the design of what I want, they get me the materials and I get to work."

Bennett also said the wood shop staff has been very helpful, particularly Mr. Chae-Yong Kim, a woodworker at the Arts and Crafts Center for the past few years, who offered instructions and tips on the project.

"Mr. Kim was real helpful, getting me started, pointing me in the right direction," Bennett said. "He's helped out a lot."

Bennett estimates a total of eight to 10 hours on the project. His costs were covered by the boat race winnings, with co-workers offering to kick in any extra money that may be required.

"Whatever is left, the guys in the shop are pulling together to make it happen," he added.