Wing members tidy up, reconnect during base clean-up day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andria J. Allmond
  • 111th ATKW Public Affairs
HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa --  Members across the 111th Attack Wing joined together to clean up and enhance the base here Aug. 28 during a base clean-up day in preparation for the upcoming Environment, Safety and Occupational Health inspection slated for September.

Sweating, sawing and shredding in their respective units and beyond, the wing members used manual labor to not only beautify the base, but also reconnect with their fellow Guardsmen. Many viewed it as also a way to strengthen the bond within their Air Force family.

"This is a day about teamwork," said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Topol, 111th Medical Group. "It's fostering Air Force core values and bringing everyone closer, which makes us a stronger force."

After a morning spend completing ancillary training in a group setting, attendees were broken up into groups. Each group was composed by Chief Master Sgt. Jim Tobolski, 111th ATKW program manager. With no benefit assigned by rank, pairings were composed of lower-ranking enlisted working alongside some of the wing's senior leadership.

"We're getting to work next to people that we may normally not even see during a normal day," said Lt. Col. Anothony Pelosi, 111th ATKW comptroller. "The Guard is a community; and this reinforces our sense of belonging to that community."

After completing the heavy lifting, the members convened for a barbeque to wrap up the day's events. The base clean-up served along with individual shop inspections, recycling reminders and Management Internal Control Toolset inspections to prepare the wing for the forthcoming ESOH inspection.