Let's keep Sheppard looking good

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux
  • 82nd Training Wing commander
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  If you've been outside much this week, you've realized that a normal Texas summer has finally arrived. It's stopped raining and temperatures are soaring into the 100s. Fortunately, with all the rain we've had, the base still looks lush and green, unlike a typical August when things have already turned dry and dusty.

With all the rain and wind, keeping our base looking good has been a real challenge this Summer. There are still downed limbs and small branches in several locations, weeds have sprouted up all around facilities, shrubs and bushes are in need of trimming, landscaped areas need attention, and every day I see people walking by trash on the ground. Frankly, I need your help in improving our base appearance.

As you've heard me say before, "Fantastic First Impressions" is one of my priorities here at Sheppard. I believe our base and two wings are first impression points for our Air Force. When you consider the thousands of Airmen, student pilots, soldiers, sailors, and international students that pass through our portals each year, it's easy to see how important our base is to shaping the image of the United States Air Force to our trainees, permanent party, and families. How our base looks helps define who we are and I believe directly impacts the pride and productivity of our people. Part of taking care of Airmen is ensuring they work and live in an attractive environment.

So what's your part in all of this? I need you to take a look around your facilities, figure out what needs to be done to improve the appearance and be part of the team that gets it done. Also, when you're out and about on base and see trash, pick it up. And if you see one of our Airmen in training walk by trash, stop him or her and remind them that Airmen don't walk by trash. Of course, we have a contractor who maintains most of our grounds but where that contractor stops our responsibility begins.

We've scheduled a base cleanup day on Monday, 20 August to put the finishing touches on our base appearance. The timing couldn't be better as Maj Gen Gould, our 2 AF/CC, has scheduled his annual base visit from 22-27 August and we'll be hosting 10,000 bicycle riders on 25 August as the annual Hotter 'N Hell Hundred bicycle race traverses Sheppard AFB.

Let's work together to ensure Sheppard provides the right first impression for our visitors, and more importantly, for us! Thanks Team Sheppard for all you do to train tomorrow's Warrior Airmen.