Photo By Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro | U.S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Ruben Kuehn, left, and Airmen 1st Class Xichen Liu,...... read more read more
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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – The Air Force announced Team Ramstein as the winner of the 2022 Commander in Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence, May 18. Along with the title came a $1.25 million monetary award to be used on quality-of-life projects.
The award money will be dedicated to projects focusing on Airmen, families and heritage.
“The CINC award was earned due to the hard work and dedication of the many men and women who are a part of the 86th Airlift Wing and all of Ramstein Air Base,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “The projects we have chosen give directly back to those who made this award possible.”
Among the planned projects are updates to our fitness centers. The Northside Fitness Center will be equipped with a new locker system and additional bench seating areas. The Southside Fitness Center improvements will include the installation of new infield soil, fencing and dugouts on the softball field.
“Our Airmen are dedicated to the mission, and we are dedicated to them,” explained 86 AW Command Chief Master Sgt. Charmaine Kelley. “Because of their commitment to excellence we were able to achieve this award, and our plans include improvements that are dedicated to them and their families.”
Additionally, some of the CINC award is being provided to support the renovations to the old Club 7, now named “The Den,” which will create a space that connects Airmen between the ranks of Airman Basic and Staff Sergeant, and provide them with a home away from home.
"The Den is a first-of-its-kind Airmen Center that enhances the lives of our junior enlisted in ways they seek most, while connecting them with both their peers and empowering opportunities," said Staff Sgt. James Frick II, noncommissioned officer in charge of The Den. "We will have a music studio, sports streaming room, gaming center, and so much more. It is a place for Airmen, designed and conceptualized by them. The Den will be as diverse as our Airmen."
A new restaurant called “HEROES Bar and Grill” is currently under construction. The restaurant is being made possible with the help of the 86th Force Support Squadron and the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron. HEROES will provide food, drinks and a place for Airmen and their families along with the many travelers and deployers to connect while on Ramstein. It is located across from the Ramstein passenger terminal in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center.
For families, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron is planning the construction of a new pavilion with picnic tables and grills. The new pavilion will be an enhancement to the area with an existing family housing playground across from the new Temporary Lodging Facility. Once two of the old housing stairwells are demolished, this section of real estate is be planned to be a new park, similar to Donnelly Park.
“Taking care of families is in our DNA here at Ramstein, and it’s important to us that we create spaces that enhance everyone's overall wellbeing,” expressed Col. Amy Glisson, 86th Mission Support Group commander.
Airmen at the 65th Air Base Group, Lajes Field, Portugal, which is a geographically separated unit of the 86 AW, will also see benefits from the CINC award. Planned projects include upgrades in infrastructure, built-in grills, and an outdoor garden.
Finally, CINC award funds will be invested in Ramstein’s heritage focusing on host nation partnerships. Enhancements are planned for several traffic circles across the base to pay homage to Ramstein Airmen, our German hosts and the history of Ramstein.
“We focused on our heritage to ensure we honor the accomplishments of our past as we look toward the future,” said Renae Fischer, 86th AW vice director. “We have a lot to be proud of.”
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2022 10:56 |
| Story ID: | 424873 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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