TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --A 325th Force Support Squadron Airman has the mission of leading the hands-on restoration effort of the dorms on Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
Staff Sgt. Candace Tench, 325th FSS assistant guest service manager, leads a team who restores Tyndall’s dorms to a livable condition after the effects of Hurricane Michael.
Before the hurricane hit, Tench fulfilled her role as a service manager for lodging. Services specialist, like Tench, normally maintain and operate hotels, restaurants and fitness centers at bases all over the world. This includes bases in deployed locations and can include duties such as managing and directing force support programs, establishing and supervising facilities that provide food and lodging, managing budget for various base services and promoting physical fitness to maintain Air Force unit readiness.
“When I first got back to Tyndall, it had a very ominous feel to it,” said Tench. “It was kind of overwhelming to see how everything was demolished. As soon as we were able we went to every room in the dorms to see what was salvageable and which ones we could bring back up to livable conditions.”
Tench said their goal is to provide Airmen working on the recovery effort with lodging that could ease the stresses of restoring Tyndall.
“We’re trying to plan for the long term,” Tench said. “We want to get as many of the permanent party guys as we can out of the tents and into a more comfy living arrangement. I work with the lodging housekeepers and maintenance guys a lot and they’ve done an amazing job of getting everything back up and running.”
Tench said that she has enjoyed making a real difference at Tyndall the past few weeks.
“The job has been really fulfilling, even during times like this,” said Tench. “I’ve found that people even appreciate it more when we’re deployed or in a circumstance like the one Tyndall is in now. You’re helping bring people back to normalcy with the comfort that you provide them. Whether it’s food during Thanksgiving or shelter with the comforts of home it’s a rewarding feeling helping the other Airmen.”
Tench’s leadership in the Force Support Squadron has also recognized her contribution to Tyndall’s goal of recovery.
“Staff Sergeant Tench’s leadership has been incredible in keeping all available rooms operational,” said Cortland Saunders, 325th FSS Lodging manager. “She’s been cleaning rooms, moving supplies, monitoring our personnel, coordinating with [Personnel Support for Contingency Operations] and doing really whatever else is needed. Her knowledge and experience with our lodging operation is paying dividends as we continue to assist with the recovery mission.”
So far, over 250 rooms have been restored to livable condition with more being worked on every day.
Date Taken: | 12.12.2018 |
Date Posted: | 12.12.2018 10:02 |
Story ID: | 303172 |
Location: | PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA, US |
Web Views: | 110 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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