Photo By Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin | Brig. Gen. James Post, 354th Fighter Wing commander, Senior Airman Zachary Cunningham,...... read more read more
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EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Eielson's junior airmen now have the opportunity to enjoy a new facility where they can unwind after duty hours and mingle with fellow icemen in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Icebox, which opened May 22 and is located in Building 2266, features a large lounge, dedicated movie and gaming rooms and a conference room for airmen to utilize for social gatherings or professional meetings as they see fit.
As one of the key coordinators for the project, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Varner, 354th Fighter Wing non-commissioned officer in charge of chapel operations, said a driving factor in developing the Icebox was to reach out to the dorm resident population here to promote a sense of fellowship.
"We're trying to paint that picture that there is quite a support network out there [for our younger airmen]," he said. "We're all a big family here and we're in kind of a unique place, but it's nice in a sense because we rely on each other a little bit more than we would somewhere else."
In relation to the former airman's center, the North Star Café, the Icebox is much larger, offering the potential for several group activities at once without the need to worry about being obtrusive to others.
"The new complex is so much larger that people can do their own activities without intruding into another group's space," said Varner. "It increases the capability of what can be done at one time - the possibilities are endless."
After $250,000 worth of renovations and repairs, Varner said he hopes airmen are energized to take charge and hold gatherings in order for the Icebox to be used to its full potential.
"I never had anything like this when I came in, so I'm hoping it invites everybody from all the dorms," Varner said. "I don't want people to see it as another dayroom. It is its own standalone facility."
Senior Airman Nicholas Tuck, 354th Operations Support Squadron wing scheduler and Airmen Committed to Excellence president, said he is looking forward to seeing airmen get out of the dorms and using the Icebox for entertainment, especially during winter months.
"It can get rough here, so this allows more availability for airmen to socialize and do activities in an area that's outside of the dorms," he said. "We're hoping it promotes ownership to give Airmen a chance to ... make it their own."
Tuck and Varner said Eielson's chain of command made a large effort to bring the Icebox to life.
"It wouldn't have happened without Eielson leadership," said Varner. "There is a definite interest in doing good things for our airmen."
While Varner stressed the fact that the mission here takes precedence over leisure activities, he also said airmen should be able to feel comfortable within their environment - a feeling the Icebox is sure to support.
"We're all here to do a job, but [opening the Icebox] shows part of the community effort here, which is pretty amazing," said Varner. "I see nothing but a bright future for the Icebox."
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2012 17:38 |
| Story ID: | 89687 |
| Location: | EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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