Quality of life emphasis buoys base’s recovery

Published Aug. 15, 2007
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- An indicator that Keesler's heart and spirit are intact two years after Hurricane Katrina is found in the facilities, programs and services that have been resurrected or created since the storm.

"I'm proud to serve with a great team of military and civilian professionals dedicated to improving Keesler's quality of life," said Col. Rodney Croslen, 81st Mission Support Squadron commander. "They've worked hard over the last two years to restore our places to work, live, eat and recreate for Keesler members and their families. Their desire to sustain the mission has been unwavering and their spirit has soared."

Bob Moseley, program management office chief for the 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, noted, "To date, more than 210 facilities have been repaired and 430 repair projects have been accomplished."

Colonel Croslen added, "This includes restoring the Air Force's second largest medical center, plus the temporary commissary and base exchange, important facilities that sustain us as a community. Our team always found a way to turn challenges into opportunities. They faced the country's worst natural disaster in history and brought the base facilities and infrastructure back."

In addition to facility repairs and new construction, the colonel stressed that restoration of programs and services for Airmen and their families is vital to Keesler's rebuilding process.

"More important than taking care of the base is the way we take care of people," he pointed out. "Taking care of people and each other is the focus of achieving quality of life on a military installation."

Colonel Croslen said two major forces for programs and services for the Keesler community are the 81st Services Division and the airmen and family readiness center.
Right after the storm, Services moved into high gear to provide food and lodging for displaced Keesler members and relief workers, according to 81st SVD director Don Cook. Additionally, fitness and recreation facilities geared up to bring relaxation and a sense of normalcy to the base community.

Vandenberg Community Center, which primarily serves students, opened a week after the storm and was back to full operation two weeks later. McBride Library opened a week after Katrina with extended operating hours.

The child development center reopened for limited operation two weeks after Katrina. The youth center was back in business at the same time with a regular schedule.
Blake Fitness Center was open for full service a week after the storm, and Dragon Fitness Center reopened that November without use of the basketball court.

Three weeks after the storm, Gaudé Lanes offered bowling at no charge on usable lanes and free use of amusement machines and big-screen televisions for active-duty members and relief workers before extensive repairs began.

With the Keesler Club out of service and the Keesler Community Center converted to a temporary commissary, the main marina building became the Katrina Kantina, an all-ranks lounge in the evenings and a site for special daytime events.

Although Bay Breeze Golf Course's pro shop was destroyed, free golf was offered on the front nine holes of the golf course before extensive repairs to the course began. The reconstructed 18-hole course, scheduled to open in October, will meet U.S. Golf Association standards.

Special programs in the first four months after the storm included an outdoor concert by Lonestar, two Texas hold 'em tournaments, a comedy show, monster circuit challenge, Slugfest boxing, Jingle Bell run and Christmas in the Park.

In the past 23 months, the expanding Services schedule has included a number of new programs and events, such as celebrations to mark Keesler's 65th and 66th birthdays, a dinner theater, martini and jazz nights, professional wrestling and boxing and car and cycle shows, to augment the regular activities at the base's recreational and fitness facilities.

The airmen and family readiness center, recognized as the Air Force's best last year, met the many immediate needs of the Keesler community after Katrina. The center barely missed a beat in spite of being relocated from its quarters in the damaged Sablich Center to old Cody Hall, a building slated for demolition that's being used for office space.

The center sponsors spouse appreciation events, Child Pride Day, neighborhood block parties, workshops and job fairs.

Families of deployed members look to the center for support, including monthly activities such as fishing trips, excursions and a Mardi Gras party on the parade route with reserved seating, food and fun.

Operation Hero acquaints children with the deployment process. Heart Link acquaints spouses with the military community, and Bundles for Babies provides information and baby items to first-time parents.

The airman and family readiness center operates a separate office in the Levitow Training Support Facility to serve nonprior service students and their families with classes and resources to smooth their transition into the Air Force lifestyle.

Colonel Croslen recalled Gov. Haley Barbour speaking of his desire to develop a rebuilding plan worthy of the spirit and character of the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"Keesler is delivering on this desire, not only for South Mississippi and Keesler, but in a way that's worthy of the spirit of the Air Force," the colonel said. "We've overcome challenges and fulfilled opportunities in a way that proudly represents the Air Force."