Pride teams keep Andersen clean, green

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  When it comes to keeping the base clean and green, the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron definitely has pride.

The squadron manages the base pride detail program, ensuring Airmen are assigned weekly to beautify Andersen. The program has been running here since February 2007. 

In order to ensure equity and fairness, the task rotates weekly, tabbing Airmen from each squadron on base. According to Staff Sgt. Ryan Bitton, 36th CES noncommissioned officer in charge of the landfill, each squadron is tabbed at least one week per quarter to submit volunteers. 

"We're taking two people from [around] the wing and we're allowing them to maintain the base," said Master Sgt. Tony Aquilano, 36th CES heavy repair section chief. "More than anything, it's [all about] perception, first impressions and taking care of government property." 

Members assigned to the detail team work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., picking up any debris and trash that may have accumulated during the day. During the weekend, the team is on standby to clean up if base leadership is expecting a distinguished visitor's arrival. After pick-up, the members dispose of the debris at the landfill on base. 

"We log the weight and track how much trash is picked up," Sergeant Aquilano said. "On average, our teams pick up at least one ton of debris on a weekly basis." 

The team follows a series of scheduled routes to ensure as much of the base as possible is canvassed for clean-up, including areas of interest such as Tarague Beach.

"We do get some good troops [who want to be out here]," Sergeant Aquilano said. "They'll [trim] the trees and really get into it." 

An Airman who recently worked the detail gained a new perspective on the importance of base pride. 

"I definitely have a new appreciation for the cleanliness of the base," said Senior Airman Matthew Hubbard, 734th Air Mobility Squadron information controller. "I never realized how much hard work it was picking up all these palm tree [fronds] and coconuts. I [understand] the reason for having base pride teams."