FSS supplies summer fun

Published July 2, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Force Support Squadron and outdoor recreation have a variety of summer amenities at Keesler. Several of these activities are available for the first time.

Open for the summer are the Dragon Paintball course, the marina splash pad, jet-ski rentals, and the Triangle Pool.

"You're going to be hard-pressed to not find something fun to do this summer," said Jessica Richmond, 81st FSS marketing assistant. "Several new and exciting features have been added this summer. If you haven't tried them out for yourself, you're definitely missing out."

The Dragon Paintball course, a paintball course for anyone stationed at Keesler, is located southeast of the commissary and features inflatable obstacles, said Richmond.

"Shooting your friends with paintballs is great for team building, exercise and stress relief," she added.

Paintball packages start at $17 and participants are welcome to bring their own equipment to use on the course. It is open Friday-Sunday by reservation.

"The course is large enough for teams of four to six," said Airman 1st Class Albert Dessault, 81st Communications Squadron. "I bring my own gear, but outdoor recreation will provide everything you need to play the game."

If the weather is too warm for paintballing, there are plenty of water attractions around base as well.

"The marina park splash pad offers a cool relief from scorching temperatures and features bucket dumps, blasters, rain mushrooms and multiple arches," said Richmond. "The pad is open during daylight hours, seven days a week and is free to use."

Right next door to the splash pad, the marina now offers jet skis available for rent 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday. Rentals are $70 for one hour, $120 for two hours plus fuel. All riders must participate in a safety briefing prior to rental, and any driver born after June 30, 1980 must have a boater's education card, said Richmond.

More aquatic activity is available on the other side of base behind the Vandenberg Community Center.

The Triangle Pool is located on Galaxy Street, which is right off Ploesti. The pool is open Thursday-Sunday for lap and open swim. Daily passes are $2 and children 5 and younger get in free.

For more information on upcoming base activities, visit www.keesler81fss.us, or call 377-3160.