TUCSON, Ariz. -- Throughout the year, the Loft Airman Ministry Center plans and coordinates trips and events to build morale for the D-M dormitory Airmen. This year included a trip to the Biosphere 2 facility on Feb. 9.

The Loft is an area located within the dorms where Airmen can come to watch television, use free Wi-Fi, play games or just relax. It holds leadership positions for a dorm Chaplain and non-commissioned officer in charge, but it is primarily staffed by volunteers, many of whom are Airmen in the dorms.

The Loft used funds provided by the Base Chapel to offer Airmen a chance to tour Biosphere 2 at a reduced cost. Twenty-one Airmen, including dorm residents and several of the Loft volunteers, went on the trip to the facility, which is approximately an hour away from D-M.

"The Loft is always looking for places in close proximity that would provide great morale building experiences for the dormitory Airman," said Airman 1st Class Steven Fisher, the Loft council vice president. "Biosphere 2 was perfect."

The initial planning of the trip was conducted by Doug Breen, a volunteer with the Loft. Fisher then disseminated the information and coordinated the trip. Airmen met at the Loft where some had volunteered to drive carpool to the Biosphere 2.

Accompanied by a guide, Airmen got to tour the facility. Biosphere 2 is an enclosed facility designed to mimic the original biosphere, Earth. It was used as the location of an experiment that was supposed to test whether or not human beings could sustain life in an enclosed environment, should human beings need to migrate to another planet.

The tour provided the Airmen a chance to learn about the famous facility as well as get to know each other. After the tour, some Airmen even went out to have a meal together.

The Loft plans larger trips and events, such as the Biosphere 2 tour, at least once a month depending on holiday schedules. Smaller events, such as the Sunday meal and Friday night movie, are run weekly. The events are open to any Airman who lives in the dorms as well as the Loft supporters and volunteers.