MAC helps flight-line Airmen cool off with ice-pop delivery

  • Published
  • By Airman Saphfire D. Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Military Affairs Committee recently launched an initiative to purchase and provide ice pops to D-M Airmen working in the heat on the flight line.

When MAC representatives distributed ice pops here July 28, 2010, it was the third time this summer that Airmen found themselves on the receiving end of the sweet, frozen treats, but it was the first that the MAC had officially sponsored the event.

"We want them to know how much the community appreciates them and how proud we are to be here in Tucson with all of them," said Ellen Jimenez, committee chairperson.

The idea for an ice-pop giveaway originated at a recent social function on base, Ms. Jimenez said. She was conversing casually with 355th Maintenance Group Commander Col. Pete Hofelich about the ever-increasing summer temperatures, and Colonel Hofelich mentioned that the Airmen who continually work outdoors had it particularly tough in the summer months. Ms. Jimenez asked if there was anything she could do, and the colonel told her of an initiative to pass out ice pops that he had seen work well in previous assignments. Ms. Jimenez asked how many ice pops would be needed to cover all the folks on the flight line, and Colonel Hofelich half-jokingly mused "about a thousand." Ms. Jimenez thought it was an incredible idea and immediately started making arrangements to turn it into a reality.

In June, not long after that discussion with Colonel Hofelich, Ms. Jimenez found herself being escorted by Chief Master Sgt. Ezell Buxton, 355 CMS Superintendent, onto the flight line with a cooler full of ice pops in tow. The reception she received was amazing, she said.

"It exceeded my expectations," said Jimenez. "I didn't expect the level of appreciation that we received. Just the look on everybody's faces - the big eyes, and the big smiles, even a little bit of surprise. It was pretty neat. It's touching."

The event received such positive feedback from the recipients that Jimenez decided to make it a habit. And, having been a three-year member of the MAC - and newly elected chairperson -- she figured she'd ask her committee at the next meeting whether they wanted to make it an officially sponsored program. Overwhelmingly, their answer was "yes," and the volunteer interest was immediate.

So there she was again, on a hot, humid, monsoon afternoon in late July, walking up and down the flight line and inside hangars with her senior NCO escort, Senior Master Sgt. Magnus Magnusson of the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron.

"It's hot out, fellas!" Sergeant Magnusson yelled down the hallways of hangar offices. "Come get some ice pops from the MAC!"

And once again, the Airmen were pleasantly surprised and grateful.

"I really appreciate it," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Scobey, a 355th EMS crew chief. "It's really nice to know that someone has us in mind while we're out here working in the heat."

Ms. Jimenez and the committee plan to schedule monthly visits to flight-line Airmen.

"Even in the wintertime, we'll be listening for ideas," she said. "Hot chocolate or coffee or whatever the Airmen want- we'll make it happen."

The MAC is sponsored and run by the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and, according to its website, aims to foster and maintain favorable relations between the military and civilian communities of Tucson.