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Sabers host town halls for community support

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  More than 50 Saber Airmen and their families asked questions, provided insight and proposed solutions during two town hall sessions at the Viper Conference Room Jan. 8.

Spangdahlem's Supporting Our Sabers initiative sponsored the sessions to discuss quality of life issues in advance of the 2014 Caring for People forum Jan. 29.

"We want to know from the community what we are doing well and what needs more attention," said Lee McDonough, community support coordinator and executive director of the base's Community Action Information Board. "This is a forum for people not only to come with questions but thoughts, concerns, kudos -- it's all welcome here."

Attendees probed discussion on topics like 24/7 fitness centers, expanded awareness of base resources, increased childcare opportunities and enhancing quality sponsorship for newly arrived Sabers.

"This is grassroots," McDonough said. "I truly believe the people who are living with these concerns and experiencing them every day are more likely to have those innovative out-of-the-box solutions. That's what we need."

The topics and solutions within these areas will be recommended to the CAIB to implement solutions at Spangdahlem. Should they be of a larger scope, they may be elevated to U.S. Air Forces in Europe command or potentially Air Force-level leadership.

"This is an example of where one person can truly make a difference," McDonough said. "If there is something out there in our community that is working for you or if you feel there is something that can be improved, this is your time. Let us know -- there's no problem too small or too great."

Wing leadership greeted attendees before the session encouraging them to bring forward solutions aimed at improving the base.

"Our goal is to make Spangdahlem the best base you've ever been assigned to or ever will be assigned to," said Col. David Julazadeh, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "We set that up with our pillars: Mission, Airmen and Community. The mission will happen regardless, but an assignment is much more enjoyable if we put energy into taking care of our Airmen and the entire Community. If we have happy Airmen, they're going to do the mission well. If we have happy families living in a great community, we're going to get the mission done even better... and have more fun doing it. And that's what we're trying to focus on: making this base better."

Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, command chief of 52nd FW, also thanked participants at taking actions to better a much wider audience.

"We thank you all for being here, because you all are the ones who face many of these challenges and seek opportunities in places that we may not necessarily see," Grengs said. "Collectively, as a group and as Saber Nation, we can make things better than they are today. I look forward to the great ideas that this team brings forward to the Caring for People forum."

The 2014 Caring for People forum is scheduled for Jan. 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Club Eifel. Those interested in attending must pre-register with McDonough. Attendees will also be assigned to focus on six areas of support: housing, spouses, schools, single Airmen, health/fitness and child/youth activities.

"The most successful Caring for People forums include people from all across the community," McDonough said. "Whether you're active-duty, a spouse, a dependent, officer, enlisted, male, female, civilian -- we need everyone to participate in this for it to truly work."

For more information or to pre-register, email McDonough at lee.mcdonough.1@us.af.mil.