Airmen Care for the Environment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Corey Hook
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen of the 28th Security Forces Squadron stay busy providing base defense and combat capability worldwide and some even find time to help care for the environment.

The 28th SFS logistics flight participates in a program called Adopt-A-Highway. This program gives them the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness of an area up to two miles.

"We want to show nearby residents that the men and women of the 28th SFS and the base care about the community," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Sobecki, 28th SFS unit deployment manager NCO in-charge. "We want the local community to see that we take pride in Box Elder because this is our town, too."

Adopting an area to care for on a regular basis not only helps the environment, but strengthens the relationship between Ellsworth Air Force Base and the community.

"I feel a strong since of pride not only to care for the environment, but to show the local community that the military cares," said Senior Airman Alexander Mendes, 28th SFS supply NCO in-charge. "I think it goes a long way in the minds of the public when they see men and women in uniform working to keep their roads clean."

An average of 15 Security Forces Airmen go to the adopted area once a month to collect litter.

"Having dedicated Airmen like this keeps me motivated," said Master Sgt. Eric Soluri, 28th SFS logistics flight superintendent. "They are positive examples for not only the base community but for the civilian community as well. In the Air Force we emphasize service before self and their individual efforts are a perfect example of our core values."

The logistics flight plans to get more of their squadron involved with cleanup by adopting more ground to clean.

"We just got approval from Pennington County to adopt another 2 miles of county road outside the base," said Sergeant Sobecki. "This road will be adopted on behalf of all the men and women of the 28th SFS. I guess you can say the 28th SFS is now the proud parent of another 2 miles of road, which is great."