Jump through water

Chief Master Sgt. Larry Malcom, 2nd Bomb Wing command chief, jumps over water in a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. Malcom was one of 138 volunteers to clean up trash along the two-mile levee. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Walk across the bridge

A member of Team Barksdale uses a small bridge to carry trash over water in a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. The bridge was built to give the volunteers easy access to both sides of the levee as they picked up trash in preparation for the Installation Excellence Award Team's arrival Jan. 9. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Volunteer pulls debris out of water with broom stick

A member of Team Barksdale uses a broom handle to pull trash out of a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. Several squadrons came together to make sure Barksdale looks its finest for the Installation Excellence Award Team's arrival Jan. 9. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Airmen pull out shopping cart

Members of Team Barksdale pull a shopping cart out of a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. The Airmen tied up the cart and attached it to a bulldozer in order to pull it out of the muck. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Throwing trash in the dumpster

Members of Team Barksdale throw trash into a bulldozer after cleaning a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. The trash was picked up by 138 volunteers and filled the back of a dump truck. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Levee clean-up

Master Sgt. Emmit Bartee, 2nd Communications Squadron first sergeant, picks up trash along a levee which runs along the north perimeter of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 3. Several squadrons teamed up to ensure Barksdale looks its finest for the Installation Excellence Award Team scheduled to arrive on base Jan. 9. Debris gets occasionally washed into the levee due to heavy rains and flooding. The levees are cleaned annually when water levels are low and the debris is visible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti)(RELEASED)

Airmen take pride in their environment

Published Jan. 6, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- More than 130 Barksdale Airmen took pride in the base by volunteering to clean up trash around a levee which borders the northern perimeter of the base Jan. 3.

The clean up started at the Security Forces Complex where volunteers were divided into four groups and sent to different sections of the levee. The groups spent three hours ensuring all garbage along the two-mile stretch of water was picked up.

Items Airmen found included cement blocks, tires and an old shopping cart. The Airmen who pulled the cart out of the water joked about their find.

"We're going to make the headlines giving AAFES their cart back," said Tech. Sgt. Floyd Butkiewicz, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron.

In addition to their unique finds, Airmen also picked up old soda cans, plastic bags and other random garbage. By the end of the day, volunteers cleaned up enough trash to fill the back of a dump truck.

Trudging through the water in knee-high waders is worth it, according to Chief Master Sgt. Rita Bogart, 2nd Communications Squadron. Senior leadership was impressed by volunteer efforts.

"I'm proud to see all of these young Airmen come together to clean up the area," she said. "It sure will look nice when we are all done."

Helping Barksdale look its best for the Installation Excellence Award Team was the goal of the clean-up effort. The numerous volunteers were happy to help out.

Regular clean-ups also help keep water flowing through the levees and reduce the risk of on-base flooding. Removing trash also keeps wildlife safe and protects the natural environment.

"We had fun helping to support the mission," said Airman 1st Class Jamaal Pierce, 2nd Force Support Squadron. "It allowed us to work and play at the same time, and it gave us a chance to meet Airmen we wouldn't otherwise work with."

The organizer of the event, Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Carter, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, feels the clean-up was fast and efficient. He looks forward to holding similar volunteer events, keeping the Barksdale environment looking its best.