JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
More than 50 Airmen and civilians took part in Operation Clean Sweep Dec. 18 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
Operation Clean Sweep, sponsored by the 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group, was conducted in addition to the location's semiannual Proud Week.
In the wake of several recent rainstorms, volunteers donned orange safety vests and rubber gloves and cleaned up the most visible areas along the perimeter, outside the location's gates.
"Recent storms and heavy winds have deposited trash and other debris outside the perimeter," Col. Michael Gimbrone, 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group commander, said. "Coupled with general roadside litter, this has not only created an eyesore, but it can also have an impact on security when it gets blown against perimeter fence lines and on safety when it gets blown into traffic lanes."
"We want to make sure that we take care of our areas of responsibility," Capt. Patricia Adams, 502nd Security Forces and Logistics Support Group coordinator, said. "We always want to make sure we are good stewards of our installation and the community. Because we are from different organizations across JBSA-Randolph, we don't have opportunities to work together like this often."
After being divided into teams, the volunteers were assigned an area around the perimeter of the base to clean. They then spent four hours canvassing a 4-mile stretch of highway to collect trash and debris, filling more than 60 large trash bags, including a number of tires and other large pieces of debris.
Advanced coordination was conducted with the surrounding communities and the Texas Department of Transportation provided support by picking up and disposing of the collected trash and debris.
"We appreciate everyone who came out and volunteered," Adams said. "We had members from the 12th Flying Training Wing, the Exchange, the Company Grade Officers Council, military members, civilians and Reservists. It was a total force effort that involved many units working together."
The next cleanup effort for JBSA-Randolph is planned for early 2015.