PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Colorado Springs is known by many for its natural beauty, colorful sunsets and rugged mountains, which inspired Catherine Lee Bates to write the patriotic poem “America the Beautiful,” after admiring the view from atop the city’s most iconic summit, Pikes Peak.
Maintaining this standard should be a priority of Airmen and Guardians assigned to the Peterson-Schriever Garrison as it is their responsibility to ensure the bases remain in excellent condition.
“The outward appearance of any base is the first impression to visitors,” said Maj. Joanna Leger, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight commander. “It is a matter of pride and care for not only the appearance of the base but also the piece of earth we have been given to work and live on day to day. We only get one planet, it's important we preserve it for generations to come in and outside our fence line.”
Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is a headquarters base with one of the busiest distinguished visitor flight lines in the Department of Defense, meaning the base gets its fair share of outside attention.
“Beautification is not just for DVs or customers, but for all of us,” Leger said. “Everyone’s mood improves as their surroundings improve. We need to make this base a place everyone wants to come work, live and play at day after day. Keeping a positive attitude is a lot easier if you are not staring out your window looking at an overflowing dumpster or have trash blowing under your car.”
Chief Master Sgt. Sevin Bulkavaar, Peterson-Schriever Garrison command chief, says, the Garrison is a family business, and as with any family, they have a home.
“I think it’s important we take care of our base,” said Senior Airman Bryson Lyles, 21st Medical Group dental lab technician. “This base is home for many Airmen and their families, both literally and figuratively. You wouldn’t let your house get messy, so why should we let our base?”
Airmen should be policing their work areas, facilities, parking lots, landscaped areas and near dumpsters to ensure areas are free of trash, debris and illegal dumping, according to a base memorandum titled “Installation Excellence Common Use Area and Installation Clean Up Guidance.”
In Colorado, littering is punishable by a fine based on what was dumped. For Airmen and Guardians on the installation, violators will be punished to the fullest extent of the law at the Garrison commander’s discretion, Leger said.
Dump sites around the installation will have cameras that are monitored by the 21st CES and signs notifying Airmen of expectations.
“At the end of the day it’s everyone’s responsibilities to care for our base,” Leger said. “I hope every unit takes an active role in the installation excellence policy and follows through with monthly clean-up days. Many hands makes for light work and will improve the image and morale for the entire installation.”