Aviano makes people top priority

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Fighter Wing recently announced the approval of numerous construction projects, adding to several ongoing initiatives, which will mark a significant improvement in the quality of life for Team Aviano members.

The result of collaboration across base organizations and a focus on people in the wing's budget planning, these initiatives reach the majority of the Aviano community ranging from single Airmen in the dormitories to families living off base.

"This year, we made significant strides in programs which will have a tremendous impact to quality of life programs across the community, improving daily life for members of Team Aviano," said Brig. Gen. Scott Zobrist, 31st Fighter Wing commander. "Success in this critical mission is just not possible without the full effort of our people. That's why quality of life programs are a top priority for Team Aviano. From our uniformed and civilian workforce to their spouses and children, we make every effort to take care of our people.

"While I don't like to boast about what the leadership of the base is doing and the successes we've had in supporting our people, I've learned that if we don't tell the Airmen, Soldiers, and families what we are doing to help them, they often assume we aren't doing anything," the general continued. "Nothing could be further from the truth. So, I've decided to be more aggressive in telling our people about the successes we've had so they know the leadership of the base is engaged and cares."

The stimulus for many of the projects came directly by members of the Aviano community through the Interactive Customer Evaluation program, the Commander's Connection website or town hall meetings. According to the general, it is thanks to the committed effort of Team Aviano members that such a multitude of quality of life programs are being initiated around the base.

"Our successes in improving quality of life are the result of hard work across the wing; however, I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight the vital efforts made by the 31st Mission Support Group in our success this year," said Zobrist. "It's due to the hard work from the members of squadrons like the 31st Force Support Squadron, the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron and the 31st Contracting Squadron that we can look forward to these great new programs."

Listed below are some of the most significant and visible changes Team Aviano can either look forward to or take advantage of around the base.

Family Programs

Child Development Center:

An addition will be built upon the Area F CDC in the coming months, adding three rooms and 46 more child care slots.

While parents who use the Area F CDC are likely to experience some temporary inconveniences during the construction, the center management believes the increased availability of service will be worth the minor complications during construction.

"The extra classrooms will definitely increase the opportunity for hourly care slots," said Marcell George, Chief of Child Development Programs. "The CDC will be able to fully meet the dual and single military family child care needs and the additional spaces may be set aside for hourly care."

In addition to more rooms, the CDC has increased the number of closed-circuit video cameras in their facilities, allowing for closer supervision of all children.

"[Closed-circuit television surveillance] provides parents an opportunity to monitor their children in the lobby of each facility on the televisions," said Marcell George. "This approach helps Airman to focus on the mission, knowing that their children are being cared for and provided quality experiences."

The construction is expected to begin March 2013 and should be completed by November 2013.

New playgrounds in Areas 1 and D

Parents and children alike will soon be able to enjoy newly built playgrounds in Areas 1 and D.

"The new playgrounds will enhance the area for all users and provide more options to families who spend a large amount of time in Area 1 and areas north of Area F," said Bob George, 31st FSS Community Services Flight chief.

Construction on the projects is expected to begin this spring and will be ready for play next September. The playgrounds will feature slides, a belt bridge, a mini-rock climbing wall, nature play areas and more and will be appropriate for preschool and elementary aged children.

Skate park equipment

According to the FSS, one of the most requested items has been improvements to the skate park, located near the Dragon Fitness Center. In response, 10 new skate park ramps are scheduled to be installed by January 15.

Community Center upgrades

Airmen and their families can look forward to a new and improved Community Center by Nov. 30. Patrons will be able to appreciate a better sound system and more comfortable lounge furniture during movie nights and other events, an air hockey table, wireless internet, and a sheltered outdoor seating area with the installation of outdoor canopies.

Dog Park

The one-acre dog park, located behind the Area F shoppette, offers shade and open space for dogs to exercise and socialize with other pets, with benches available for their owners.

"I have a really small yard, but now my two dogs have somewhere to come and run around safely," said Gateley. "If there are dog owners like me [in the Aviano community], they probably want to give their dogs an opportunity to get out of the house and socialize. It also provides a great opportunity for people to get to know one another. I know spouses are looking for a way to meet people, and I think this will be a good way for pet owners to meet new people."

Single Airmen Programs

Dorm life

Airmen living in the dormitories are already enjoying the benefits of free wireless internet in all dayrooms, and they can soon look forward to new refrigerators and fans.

Dining Facilities

The Buon Appetito dining facility has expanded breakfast hours, now serving a continental breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m. in addition to their normal operating hours. It is currently undergoing a trial run to determine the amount of community interest to see if this is a viable permanent change.

"[The increased breakfast hours] were in direct response to customer feedback," said Capt. Boyd Walker, 31st Force Support Squadron Sustainment Flight chief. "Some of our patrons passed on that they are unable to attend breakfast due to their squadron [physical training] times. Their squadron would not change the PT times to accommodate meal card holders. As a test, we began offering continental breakfast items for these members. Thus far, very few Airmen have taken advantage."

Fitness Programs

Improved fitness centers

Patrons of the Falcon and Dragon Fitness Centers have most likely taken notice of the significant improvements to the facilities especially at the Falcon.

While both gyms have received new cardio equipment, Aviano community members who attend the fitness center in Area 2 can now enjoy better child play areas, new televisions and DVD players, and 15 new cardio machines so far.

The child play area is now more centrally located for better supervision, and it was recently outfitted with new furniture, toys and DVDs. It can also cater to twice as many children.

"The child play areas were improved so that parents would have a place where they could get a good work out while keeping their eyes on their children," said Walker. "The improved area has more activities and space to keep the kids busy so that both parents and children have fun at the fitness center."

New mothers can also stay fit using the new yoga equipment provided by the fitness centers.

"We purchased yoga equipment so that we could offer a pre- and post- natal yoga class," said Walker. "There are between 10-20 mothers in each class. Mothers do not have to purchase their own equipment and we were able to build a fitness activity that they can safely participate in to stay fit before, during and after pregnancy."

The new televisions were installed in the martial arts and cross-fit rooms to allow people to participate in popular workouts such as P90X.

Bowling center renovation

Aviano Lanes on Area 1 has opened with new flooring and lighting. While much of the work in the bowling center was behind the scenes, the facility staff expects the subtle differences will significantly improve the experience of visitors.

Pool upgrades

New canopy tops, pool steps, tile and swim platforms will be installed in time for next summer's pool opening improving safety for patrons. Parents will be able to enjoy additional deck space near the baby pool, shade in the lounge area and renovated restrooms.

"The new pool steps will make it easier and safer to enter the pool," said Bob George. "The swim platforms will help instructors teaching the "learn to swim program" by having the smaller children stand on the platform so their heads are above the water line."

Mission Improvement Programs

Inclement weather gear

Some career fields require Airmen to be outside in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Junior enlisted Airmen from the 31st Security Forces and Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons will soon be a lot warmer when outdoors in the cold and wet of the upcoming winter. Staff sergeants and below will be issued cold weather gear consisting of rain coats and suits, fleeces, gloves, thermal undergarments, and in the case of aircraft maintainers, waterproof boots that also keep aircraft fuels from soaking through.

Hydration packs

When the hot weather returns to Aviano, new individual hydration packs will help the wing's aircraft maintainers stay cool.

"The maintainers spend all day on the flightline, away from any potable water source and with the new [hydration packs], they can fill it up before they go out for the day and have it with them," said Chief Master Sgt. James Tibbetts, 31st AMXS superintendent.


Access for aircraft maintainers

In addition to inclement weather gear, Airmen working at the 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are finding work much easier after the installation of a sidewalk between Building 1173 and the Sierra Loop entry control point.

"Currently, rolling tool chests must be pushed on the paved street from Bldg. 1173 to the Sierra Loop ECP," said Capt. Daniel Zedack, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron programs deputy flight chief. "This exposes troops to traffic hazards and forces them to travel an indirect route. The new sidewalk will cut the distance to push the toolboxes by approximately 40 percent and limit troop exposure to traffic by creating a shortcut between the two points."

Standardized customer service hours

To better care for service members and their families, 22 Aviano Air Base customer service centers have standardized their hours of operation, most to a minimum of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The change, which took place in June 2011, has benefited base patrons who were previously frustrated with customer service centers that closed several hours early or opened later in the day.