35th FS pilots dedicate day to dorm renovation

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Ryan Clisset
  • 35th Fighter Squadron
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  You'll normally find the pilots of the 35th Fighter Squadron in the air as they train to carry out the 8th Fighter Wing mission of "Defend the Base, Accept Follow-on Forces and Take the Fight North."

However, the morning of June 9 found the "Pantons" executing a different mission: renovating two dormitory buildings.

A group of Pantons rallied at 7 a.m. with paint, rollers, mops, steam cleaners and power washers, most of which were provided by the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron's self-help program.

These supplies are readily available to anyone who wants to use them and the program also provides touch-up paint, miscellaneous hardware for bathrooms and kitchens, light bulbs, and other things you might need to fix up your dormitory.

Capt. Will Parks, the senior-ranking wingman in the squadron, led the team effort.
"It's good to do this every once in a while," he said. "This is where we live and we have a responsibility to take care of it. Keeping it well maintained is a community effort."

The pilots of the 35th FS exemplified the core value of "Service before Self" as they gave up their Saturday for some spring cleaning. As with any military member living in government housing, they have a responsibility to maintain their living quarters and repair any damages.

According to Air Force Instruction 32-6005, "Unaccompanied Housing Management," "Occupants shall be responsible for such routine maintenance, minor repair, and housekeeping as would be expected of tenants in private housing of similar type and value."

The same regulation also mandates that members assigned to government quarters conserve their utilities and energy.

However, the Pantons went above and beyond routine maintenance this weekend. Their upkeep included steam cleaning the carpets, painting the walls and doors, power washing the community stairwells, entrances and windows, replacing broken or worn ceiling tiles, and picking up trash around the lawn.

"This is not a standard Saturday morning for the Pantons, but it was more worthwhile and productive than any other since I've been here," said 1st Lt. Joseph Gagnon.

Another pilot expressed his feelings about the work.

"This kind of initiative and teamwork are two of the things that make me proud to be a member of the Wolf Pack," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Martel.

It is everyone's responsibility to keep the base looking sharp and pay it forward so its appearance continues to reflect the quality of the Airmen who work here.

The resources are available from the 8th CES for anyone who is ready to take the initiative. Contact your dormitory manager and they can point you in the right direction.