Did you know that the State of Arkansas has a program whereby military members, veterans, ROTC or other patriotic citizens are requested to present a flag education class to every fifth grader in the State of Arkansas every year?
This program is fully supported by the governor and the Arkansas Director of Education. Arkansas veterans’ organizations donate the money to print educational flag handouts. The program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Veterans’
Affairs which in turn delegates the responsibility to the Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO) in every county.
Eight years ago Col. (Ret.) Jim Elmer learned that Pulaski County fifth graders were not receiving flag education. As a member of the Military Order of the World Wars, a patriotic veterans’ organization started in 1919, he determined that this was unacceptable and volunteered the Central Arkansas Chapter of MOWW to be responsible for the schools in Pulaski County.
Each year, at the request of the Arkansas Veterans’ Affairs Office, the number of schools supported has increased. By the end of 2009 more than 6,000 fifth-grade students in 75 schools will have received flag education. As of Dec. 4, only three schools remain. Special kudos go to retired Tech. Sgt. Bill Albright who personally completed classes for 2,015 students in 2009.
However, we need volunteers. The number of students has become so large that two or three instructors can no longer handle the workload. The program is so important it must be perpetuated.
Teaching the classes is very simple. Handout materials as well as a lesson plan are provided. The beauty of being a flag education class presenter is that you walk out from a class knowing you’ve done something to support the freedoms we all enjoy.
While the flag education classes in Pulaski County are complete for this year, please seriously consider joining the program in 2010. Come and observe a class and you’ll be hooked. If you are interested and live in Pulaski County, please contact Jim Elmer at 771-4106 or by e-mail at jimelmer@swbell.net. For other counties please contact your county Veterans’ Services Officer.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
TOP STORY > >State offers license plates as benefit to veterans
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Office of Motor Vehicle will provide (upon receipt of proper certification) a number of special license plates.
Many of these plates are at a reduced registration fee.
For more information, visit www.arkansas.gov/dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates.php or contact your local Revenue Office.
FEE REQUIREMENTS
World War II
Dec. 7, 1941 to Mar. 2, 1946 $3.75 WD AGO
Korean War
Jun. 7, 1950 to Jul. 27, 1954 $3.75 DD-214
Vietnam War
Aug. 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
in country - Feb. 28, 1961 $3.75 DD-214
to Aug. 5, 1964
Persian Gulf War
Aug. 2, 1990 to Nov. 30, 1995 $3.75 DD-214
Operation Enduring Freedom $3.75 DD-214
Operation Iraqi Freedom $3.75 DD-214
Merchant Marine Retired WWII $3.75 WD AGO
Armed Forces Retired Normal Fee A copy of the retirement orders.
Armed Forces Reserve $3.75
An affidavit from the commanding officer of the reserve unit certifying membership of the applicants active status.
National Guard Free
Original issuance and replacements must by coordinated through the local Guard Units.
Pearl Harbor Survivor Free
Verification of eligibility form signed by the Arkansas State Chairman of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association. The form is furnished by the association.
Purple Heart Free
Certification by the U.S. Department of Defense of the award of the “Purple Heart”. Surviving spouses who are not joint owners of the vehicle must present a marriage license and death certificate. Motorcycle plate also available.
FEE REQUIREMENTS
Congressional Medal of Honor Free
Certification letter from the Arkansas State Department of Veterans Affairs of having been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ex-Prisoner of War $3.75
Certification of the applicant’s former P.O.W. status from the U.S. Department of Defense. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must present a copy of the death certificate of the deceased prisoner of war reflected on the registration of the POW license plate.
Distinguished Flying Cross $3.75
Certification by the U.S. Department of Defense of the award of the “Distinguished Flying Cross”. Surviving spouses who are not joint owners of the vehicle must present a marriage license and death certificate.
DV - Service connected disability
Act 36 of 1969 and Act 349 of 2007 $3.75
A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying the disabled veteran’s eligibility under Act 36 of 1969. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must also present a marriage license and the death certificate of the disabled veteran.
DAV - Non-service connected disability
Act 7 of 1949 and Act 30 of 1979 Free
A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying the disabled veteran’s eligibility under Act 7 of 1949 or Act 30 of 1979. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must also present a marriage license and the death certificate of the disabled veteran.
Many of these plates are at a reduced registration fee.
For more information, visit www.arkansas.gov/dfa/motor_vehicle/mv_plates.php or contact your local Revenue Office.
FEE REQUIREMENTS
World War II
Dec. 7, 1941 to Mar. 2, 1946 $3.75 WD AGO
Korean War
Jun. 7, 1950 to Jul. 27, 1954 $3.75 DD-214
Vietnam War
Aug. 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
in country - Feb. 28, 1961 $3.75 DD-214
to Aug. 5, 1964
Persian Gulf War
Aug. 2, 1990 to Nov. 30, 1995 $3.75 DD-214
Operation Enduring Freedom $3.75 DD-214
Operation Iraqi Freedom $3.75 DD-214
Merchant Marine Retired WWII $3.75 WD AGO
Armed Forces Retired Normal Fee A copy of the retirement orders.
Armed Forces Reserve $3.75
An affidavit from the commanding officer of the reserve unit certifying membership of the applicants active status.
National Guard Free
Original issuance and replacements must by coordinated through the local Guard Units.
Pearl Harbor Survivor Free
Verification of eligibility form signed by the Arkansas State Chairman of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association. The form is furnished by the association.
Purple Heart Free
Certification by the U.S. Department of Defense of the award of the “Purple Heart”. Surviving spouses who are not joint owners of the vehicle must present a marriage license and death certificate. Motorcycle plate also available.
FEE REQUIREMENTS
Congressional Medal of Honor Free
Certification letter from the Arkansas State Department of Veterans Affairs of having been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ex-Prisoner of War $3.75
Certification of the applicant’s former P.O.W. status from the U.S. Department of Defense. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must present a copy of the death certificate of the deceased prisoner of war reflected on the registration of the POW license plate.
Distinguished Flying Cross $3.75
Certification by the U.S. Department of Defense of the award of the “Distinguished Flying Cross”. Surviving spouses who are not joint owners of the vehicle must present a marriage license and death certificate.
DV - Service connected disability
Act 36 of 1969 and Act 349 of 2007 $3.75
A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying the disabled veteran’s eligibility under Act 36 of 1969. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must also present a marriage license and the death certificate of the disabled veteran.
DAV - Non-service connected disability
Act 7 of 1949 and Act 30 of 1979 Free
A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying the disabled veteran’s eligibility under Act 7 of 1949 or Act 30 of 1979. A surviving spouse, who is not already joint owner of the vehicle, must also present a marriage license and the death certificate of the disabled veteran.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
COMMENTARY>>Thanksgiving reprise – Those who dare to be free
By Col. C.K. Hyde
314th Airlift Wing commander
Americans are the most generous people on earth, and one aspect of our generosity is recognizing we have much for which to be thankful. Being thankful is part of our national heritage as evidenced by a national holiday, enduring Thanksgiving proclamations such as those given by Abraham Lincoln and by a people who have given of themselves to preserve freedom. We show our thankfulness for our greatest national treasure, freedom, by preserving it for those who can only dream of the liberties we enjoy in America.
I am personally thankful for the United States armed forces who are instruments of good in a world where evil still exists and where tyrants still deprive people of freedom. I am grateful for men and women who dare to look beyond self, who understand that freedom can be lost if left undefended, and who dare to act in its behalf.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” It’s this same spirit I see in our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Volunteers who see more than the comforts of a blessed nation -- they see the possibilities of triumph over oppression and the victory of freedom despite setbacks and sacrifice along the way.
I am thankful for the Airmen of the 314th Airlift Wing and Little Rock Air Force Base -- men and women who continue the legacy of audacious Airmen who dreamed mighty things and continue to defend freedom today. I am thankful for those who dare to be free and continue to make America a dawn of hope and freedom for the world.
314th Airlift Wing commander
Americans are the most generous people on earth, and one aspect of our generosity is recognizing we have much for which to be thankful. Being thankful is part of our national heritage as evidenced by a national holiday, enduring Thanksgiving proclamations such as those given by Abraham Lincoln and by a people who have given of themselves to preserve freedom. We show our thankfulness for our greatest national treasure, freedom, by preserving it for those who can only dream of the liberties we enjoy in America.
I am personally thankful for the United States armed forces who are instruments of good in a world where evil still exists and where tyrants still deprive people of freedom. I am grateful for men and women who dare to look beyond self, who understand that freedom can be lost if left undefended, and who dare to act in its behalf.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” It’s this same spirit I see in our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Volunteers who see more than the comforts of a blessed nation -- they see the possibilities of triumph over oppression and the victory of freedom despite setbacks and sacrifice along the way.
I am thankful for the Airmen of the 314th Airlift Wing and Little Rock Air Force Base -- men and women who continue the legacy of audacious Airmen who dreamed mighty things and continue to defend freedom today. I am thankful for those who dare to be free and continue to make America a dawn of hope and freedom for the world.
COMMENTARY>>Big project? Lead it right
By Lt. Col. Thomas Morrison
19th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
commander
Management without leadership is like a rocking chair. Keeps you going but doesn’t get you anywhere. - Anonymous
Anyone who’s been handed a hot project knows it’s an opportunity to shine or crash and burn. Often, it’s a chance to make real, lasting changes. Success or failure of a project depends on many things but sound leadership can make the difference between an evolutionarily advantageous adaptation and one that dooms the organization to extinction. The essence of sound leadership in project management is the act of inspiring effective actions that support the goals of the project, which in turn supports the united values of an organization. A leader can best serve his organization by attending to the shared values, effectiveness and empowerment of the team in completing the project.
Effective project leadership depends upon exposing the values of the organization that prompted the project. This shared “meaning” helps align the team’s priorities.
Just making people aware of values is not sufficient. A leader must expose the differences between the current state and the desired state. Managers are problem solvers. Leaders are problem finders.
Establishing shared values and vision for the project team is important, but without attention to the effectiveness of the team, progress can slow or even stagnate. Leaders are concerned primarily with effectiveness rather than efficiency, focusing not only on outcomes but also on the ability of their people to produce those outcomes. To maximize team effectiveness leaders must recognize that their personal primary customers are the members of the project team they serve and treat them right.
Part of that philosophy is giving the team some freedom of choice in how best to accomplish the project.
As a primary source of inspiration for the group, the leader sets the destination but should not necessarily steer the boat. In contrast to being a directive micromanager, an effective leader must be willing to empower his team. A leader must balance empowerment of the team he serves with personal involvement in the project. Trust is essential to developing and maintaining that balance. When a leader has good followers, trust and empowerment come naturally and the project will proceed and succeed even in the absence of “the leader.”
19th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
commander
Management without leadership is like a rocking chair. Keeps you going but doesn’t get you anywhere. - Anonymous
Anyone who’s been handed a hot project knows it’s an opportunity to shine or crash and burn. Often, it’s a chance to make real, lasting changes. Success or failure of a project depends on many things but sound leadership can make the difference between an evolutionarily advantageous adaptation and one that dooms the organization to extinction. The essence of sound leadership in project management is the act of inspiring effective actions that support the goals of the project, which in turn supports the united values of an organization. A leader can best serve his organization by attending to the shared values, effectiveness and empowerment of the team in completing the project.
Effective project leadership depends upon exposing the values of the organization that prompted the project. This shared “meaning” helps align the team’s priorities.
Just making people aware of values is not sufficient. A leader must expose the differences between the current state and the desired state. Managers are problem solvers. Leaders are problem finders.
Establishing shared values and vision for the project team is important, but without attention to the effectiveness of the team, progress can slow or even stagnate. Leaders are concerned primarily with effectiveness rather than efficiency, focusing not only on outcomes but also on the ability of their people to produce those outcomes. To maximize team effectiveness leaders must recognize that their personal primary customers are the members of the project team they serve and treat them right.
Part of that philosophy is giving the team some freedom of choice in how best to accomplish the project.
As a primary source of inspiration for the group, the leader sets the destination but should not necessarily steer the boat. In contrast to being a directive micromanager, an effective leader must be willing to empower his team. A leader must balance empowerment of the team he serves with personal involvement in the project. Trust is essential to developing and maintaining that balance. When a leader has good followers, trust and empowerment come naturally and the project will proceed and succeed even in the absence of “the leader.”
COMMENTARY>>There are relatives and then there’s family
By Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley
19th Airlift Wing command chief
In life there are people connected by genetics through birth, such as siblings, cousins or grandparents, and we call them relatives. Then there are people who have no biological connection, yet when you need them they are there for you. I call this group family. You see all relatives may not be family, yet many in our family here at Team Little Rock are not relatives.
Over the last week, I have had to watch my father pass from this life to the next and facilitate his arrangements. This period has crystallized how much family we have here at “The Rock.” I am astounded to see when our community finds out there is a need how quickly and decisively they react. We have many new people on our base and in our community and they are missing their relatives, yet I submit to you that if you just get outside your comfort zone you may find out that your family will grow tremendously here.
After being in the Air Force for about 26 years, I can easily say that I have much more family than relatives. I encourage you to look at those around you daily to help them understand a biological connection does not make you a family, but it’s the willingness to stick by someone through the good and the bad. I know many people who joined the military to get away from relatives and gain a family.
So this week I want to stress the importance of each one of us working towards having each other’s back as a military and civilian family. Because at the end of the day, our nation is counting on us to be as strong as we can as we defend freedom.
Our forefathers got it right when they said, “out of many one,” and although you may not see many relatives here, you have a huge family.
Combat Airlift!
19th Airlift Wing command chief
In life there are people connected by genetics through birth, such as siblings, cousins or grandparents, and we call them relatives. Then there are people who have no biological connection, yet when you need them they are there for you. I call this group family. You see all relatives may not be family, yet many in our family here at Team Little Rock are not relatives.
Over the last week, I have had to watch my father pass from this life to the next and facilitate his arrangements. This period has crystallized how much family we have here at “The Rock.” I am astounded to see when our community finds out there is a need how quickly and decisively they react. We have many new people on our base and in our community and they are missing their relatives, yet I submit to you that if you just get outside your comfort zone you may find out that your family will grow tremendously here.
After being in the Air Force for about 26 years, I can easily say that I have much more family than relatives. I encourage you to look at those around you daily to help them understand a biological connection does not make you a family, but it’s the willingness to stick by someone through the good and the bad. I know many people who joined the military to get away from relatives and gain a family.
So this week I want to stress the importance of each one of us working towards having each other’s back as a military and civilian family. Because at the end of the day, our nation is counting on us to be as strong as we can as we defend freedom.
Our forefathers got it right when they said, “out of many one,” and although you may not see many relatives here, you have a huge family.
Combat Airlift!
COMMENTARY>>Team Little Rock conducts Wingman Day
Team Little Rock members will come together for Wingman Day events across the base today.
The focus of Wingman Day is to foster a culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen and to promote responsible decision making.
An information fair will be on-going at the base fitness center starting at 8 a.m. Fair representatives include the base chapel, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Health and Wellness Center, Family Advocacy, Mental Health, Wing Safety, Public Health, Youth Center, Military One Source, Security Forces, AAFES, DECA, Base Legal and the library.
During time periods when units are not attending the information fair, units will be conducting squadron level briefings and discussions. Individual squadron briefings will include information sharing on suicide prevention, vehicle safety and safe use of alcohol as well as sexual assault and domestic violence prevention.
Following lunch time activities, personnel will be released at the discretion of their squadron commanders.
Additional focus areas for squadron briefings could include key spouse briefings, deployments and support of the deployed member, winter holiday plans and the Year of the Air Force Family.
For more information, contact squadron leaders.
(Courtesy of 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)
Wingman Day Information Fair attendance schedule
8 to 9 a.m. - 19th Maintenance Group
9 to 10 a.m. - 19th Medical Group and 19th Airlift Wing staff agencies
10 to 11 a.m. - 19th Operations Group
11 a.m. to Noon - 19th Mission Support
Noon to 1 p.m. – 314th Airlift Wing
The focus of Wingman Day is to foster a culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen and to promote responsible decision making.
An information fair will be on-going at the base fitness center starting at 8 a.m. Fair representatives include the base chapel, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Health and Wellness Center, Family Advocacy, Mental Health, Wing Safety, Public Health, Youth Center, Military One Source, Security Forces, AAFES, DECA, Base Legal and the library.
During time periods when units are not attending the information fair, units will be conducting squadron level briefings and discussions. Individual squadron briefings will include information sharing on suicide prevention, vehicle safety and safe use of alcohol as well as sexual assault and domestic violence prevention.
Following lunch time activities, personnel will be released at the discretion of their squadron commanders.
Additional focus areas for squadron briefings could include key spouse briefings, deployments and support of the deployed member, winter holiday plans and the Year of the Air Force Family.
For more information, contact squadron leaders.
(Courtesy of 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs)
Wingman Day Information Fair attendance schedule
8 to 9 a.m. - 19th Maintenance Group
9 to 10 a.m. - 19th Medical Group and 19th Airlift Wing staff agencies
10 to 11 a.m. - 19th Operations Group
11 a.m. to Noon - 19th Mission Support
Noon to 1 p.m. – 314th Airlift Wing
TOP STORY > >Base wins 2009 AMC Conservation Award
The Natural State’s largest military base was recently recognized by Air Mobility Command for its excellent environmental stewardship.
The base’s 19th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Element won the command’s 2009 General Thomas D. White Natural Resources Conservation Award, Small Base Category.
“Little Rock AFB personnel and all of our state and federal environmental partners can take great pride in winning this award. It takes a lot of people from many different agencies working together to make all of our different natural resources programs work,” said James Popham, 19th CES natural resources manager.
The base has a very active natural resources program overseeing 6,100-plus acres of diverse habitat, terrain, flora and fauna -- of which about 3,000 acres are wooded. The program manages all aspects of natural resources including urban and commercial forests; fish and wildlife; streams, lakes, wetlands, and floodplains; endangered species; hunting and fishing, and even geological resources.
“All this diversity adds to the health of the base’s ecosystems and provides base personnel with a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors right in their backyards,” Mr. Popham said.
The base’s hunting program is used to control the 400-plus deer herd while providing recreation for hunters with little cost to the Air Force. Keeping the deer population under control helps reduce the tick infestation, maintain a healthy deer herd, and reduce the chance a deer will get hit by an airplane on the runway or by a car on the main base, Mr. Popham said. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gave the base 250 “Unrestricted Weapons” doe tags to support this population control.
The two base lakes are managed for recreational fishing as well as the endangered species of bird, the Interior Least Tern. The AGFC routinely stocks the base lakes with catfish and rainbow trout in support of recreational fishing and helps us deliver minnows we buy to stock for the Interior Least Terns.
The Interior Least Terns were discovered in 2006 feeding at the base lakes and ponds and in 2007, the birds were discovered using the top of Building 450 as a safe haven when the Arkansas River was too flooded for them to nest on the sand bars.
Little Rock AFB now works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and AGFC to protect and support the largest Interior Least Tern nesting colony in the state.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said the bases’ discovery and efforts to protect the Least Terns nests are very significant for the Arkansas River population.
“The base was the first to report and identify rooftop nesting of Interior Least Tern in Arkansas. Our knowledge of the species, its behavior, and requirements for recovery has increased substantially due to the bases discovery and assistance,” said Lindsey Lewis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Without the base’s findings and efforts, we would have no knowledge of rooftop nesting, the actual annual population numbers or actual recruitment success that is occurring.”
This year also marks the base’s 16th Year as a Tree City USA. The base has also been recognized by the Arkansas Forestry Commission for its active urban forestry program. The urban forest on base is worth over a million dollars for storm water runoff control and the removal of air pollutants, Mr. Popham said.
“Our Tree City USA recognition shows we have an ongoing plan to care for our urban trees. We try to protect our trees during construction projects starting with the design process. We saved many big trees from construction including the 6th largest Post Oak in the state located next to the base housing Welcome Center,” Mr. Popham said.
The base has an active commercial forest program and the timber is sold and that money is used to make improvements to other base forest areas. The base recently teamed with the Army Corps of Engineers to harvest more than 50 acres of commercial timber of which about 10 acres were where the new education center is being built at the corner of Vandenberg Blvd and Hwy 67/167. This project saved the base at least $50 thousand in land clearing costs.
The base will now compete for an Air Force level award. The award honors General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff from 1957 to 1961, who charted the course for Air Force environmental programs. The purpose of the award is to promote excellence in every aspect of Air Force natural resources conservation programs, and is designed to recognize the efforts of installations for conservation of natural resources.
The base’s 19th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources Element won the command’s 2009 General Thomas D. White Natural Resources Conservation Award, Small Base Category.
“Little Rock AFB personnel and all of our state and federal environmental partners can take great pride in winning this award. It takes a lot of people from many different agencies working together to make all of our different natural resources programs work,” said James Popham, 19th CES natural resources manager.
The base has a very active natural resources program overseeing 6,100-plus acres of diverse habitat, terrain, flora and fauna -- of which about 3,000 acres are wooded. The program manages all aspects of natural resources including urban and commercial forests; fish and wildlife; streams, lakes, wetlands, and floodplains; endangered species; hunting and fishing, and even geological resources.
“All this diversity adds to the health of the base’s ecosystems and provides base personnel with a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors right in their backyards,” Mr. Popham said.
The base’s hunting program is used to control the 400-plus deer herd while providing recreation for hunters with little cost to the Air Force. Keeping the deer population under control helps reduce the tick infestation, maintain a healthy deer herd, and reduce the chance a deer will get hit by an airplane on the runway or by a car on the main base, Mr. Popham said. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gave the base 250 “Unrestricted Weapons” doe tags to support this population control.
The two base lakes are managed for recreational fishing as well as the endangered species of bird, the Interior Least Tern. The AGFC routinely stocks the base lakes with catfish and rainbow trout in support of recreational fishing and helps us deliver minnows we buy to stock for the Interior Least Terns.
The Interior Least Terns were discovered in 2006 feeding at the base lakes and ponds and in 2007, the birds were discovered using the top of Building 450 as a safe haven when the Arkansas River was too flooded for them to nest on the sand bars.
Little Rock AFB now works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and AGFC to protect and support the largest Interior Least Tern nesting colony in the state.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said the bases’ discovery and efforts to protect the Least Terns nests are very significant for the Arkansas River population.
“The base was the first to report and identify rooftop nesting of Interior Least Tern in Arkansas. Our knowledge of the species, its behavior, and requirements for recovery has increased substantially due to the bases discovery and assistance,” said Lindsey Lewis, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Without the base’s findings and efforts, we would have no knowledge of rooftop nesting, the actual annual population numbers or actual recruitment success that is occurring.”
This year also marks the base’s 16th Year as a Tree City USA. The base has also been recognized by the Arkansas Forestry Commission for its active urban forestry program. The urban forest on base is worth over a million dollars for storm water runoff control and the removal of air pollutants, Mr. Popham said.
“Our Tree City USA recognition shows we have an ongoing plan to care for our urban trees. We try to protect our trees during construction projects starting with the design process. We saved many big trees from construction including the 6th largest Post Oak in the state located next to the base housing Welcome Center,” Mr. Popham said.
The base has an active commercial forest program and the timber is sold and that money is used to make improvements to other base forest areas. The base recently teamed with the Army Corps of Engineers to harvest more than 50 acres of commercial timber of which about 10 acres were where the new education center is being built at the corner of Vandenberg Blvd and Hwy 67/167. This project saved the base at least $50 thousand in land clearing costs.
The base will now compete for an Air Force level award. The award honors General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff from 1957 to 1961, who charted the course for Air Force environmental programs. The purpose of the award is to promote excellence in every aspect of Air Force natural resources conservation programs, and is designed to recognize the efforts of installations for conservation of natural resources.
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