OSS volunteers 1,000 hours of service

  • Published
  • By Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Not only is service important in uniform, but also outside of uniform. For members of the 14th Operations Support Squadron, time spent volunteering is just as important as time spent at work.

The 14 OSS reached its 1,000th hour of volunteer service during their Habitat for Humanity volunteer event July 26 in East Columbus.

As part of a program known as Eco Days, members of the 14 OSS volunteer in the local area for different organizations. Every flight in the 14 OSS takes a turn volunteering their Saturdays each month.

"I charged the squadron to go out at least once a month to interact in the local community with a volunteer project," said Lt. Col. Brian Murphy, Commander, 14 OSS. "I want all of our Airmen to get involved with something bigger and better than themselves. It's a great way to give some payback to the community that gives so much to us."

It even gives younger Airmen an opportunity to lead. Junior Airmen can be put in charge of not only planning the volunteer events, but also in finding where volunteers are needed.

"It (Eco Days) builds good base relations with the local community outside the walls," said Airman 1st Class Nathan Fancher, Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, 14 OSS. "It gets us recognized not just on base, but outside as well. People recognize us and say 'Hey, they're from the Air Force base; they're awesome and they never ask for anything in return, they just want to help.'"

Not only do volunteers work off base, but they also help with on-base projects. Some of these include a remodeling of the Base Ops building, preparations and manning of a booth for the Wings Over Columbus Open House and Air Show and a Happy Irby Highway cleanup.

"Its (volunteer projects) a good way to get out there and get in touch with the community," said Senior Airman James Beadling, Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman, 14 OSS. "We get out there not only for us but to actually help people in need. Just showing that care, that drive to give to others is great. Just hearing one 'Thank you' at the end of the day makes it the reason we do what we do."

Some of the squadron's volunteer service projects include work for the Humane Society, a storm cleanup and work for Habitat for Humanity. During the Habitat for Humanity project, 21 14 OSS volunteers completed more than 20 percent of the work on a new house in just four hours.

"I am extremely proud of the men and women of the 14 OSS," said Lt. Col. Marc Deshaies, Director of Operations, 14 OSS. "Time after time, they dedicate their days off to help those less fortunate. They epitomize Service Before Self inside Columbus Air Force Base and outside its gates. Doing such things advances them as Airmen, providing them an opportunity to serve, lead and work together."