Units benefit from Quality of Life funding

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In a time of tight budgets, quality of life projects can sometimes take a back seat when competing for scarce resources against mission requirements. 

That's why each year, Maj Gen David Eidsaune, AAC Commander, sets aside a portion of his funds for quality of life projects for Team Eglin. 

"We ask a lot of our people, and it is important to provide an environment that allows them to achieve personal and professional excellence," the general said. 

Gen Eidsaune recently decided what to fund with this year's reserve checkbook and here's a sample: 

Dorm residents stand to benefit when the 96th Communications Group expands their internet café service to Dorms 855 and 19A. The group plans to purchase six computers and two printers with the funds provided, adding to the computer network in Dorm 17, provided earlier by the 33rd Fighter Wing. Staff Sgt Cesar Ponce, project manager, said he's in the process of surveying the locations, coordinating with dorm managers, and contacting local vendors for equipment. Once installed, the computers will be on the Eglin domain. 

"It will be very beneficial for Airmen to go to the common areas and have access to the Air Force Portal, My Pay or Virtual MPF." Sergeant Ponce said. "They will have the same resources and network drives they have at work." 

All of Team Eglin will enjoy the upgrades planned for Luke's Place, a multi-purpose room in Bldg. 615. The room holds approximately 350 people and hosted more than 250 functions last year, to include ceremonies, conferences, training seminars and much more. The undersized heating and air conditioning system was unable to keep up with cooling the space, but will be replaced to make this high use facility a more comfortable place to be. Luke's also received a replacement projector. 

A continued emphasis on physical fitness was evidenced by funding for organizations looking to enhance PT, team-building and morale. Several units now have money for gear ranging from soccer balls to PT mats to basketball hoops. The general also funded improvements to a base nature trail. 

Chief Master Sgt. Barry Fontaine, 46th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent, said the hoops at Hangars 102 and 103 go a long way to decreasing stress, especially during the summer's almost daily lightening holds that flightline activities experience.
"With the workload these guys have, playing basketball can decrease their stress levels and improve cardio right in the hangar," the chief said. "They can set up games between the crew chiefs and the maintainers and play after hours--they love it. We're happy to get the money." 

And General Eidsaune was happy to give it to them. 

"Our people are a vital resource, and I'm committed to helping them whenever possible," he said.