740th MS community service event

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Aaron Glass
  • 740th Missile Squadron
MINOT, N.D. --  It was a brisk, spring morning on the North Dakota prairie, May 8th. An assortment of private vehicles began to line the access road to B01 Missile Alert Facility. Members of the 740th Missile Squadron and their family members clambered out of their vehicles and onto the MAF for a unique, quite possibly unprecedented, two-part commander's call. The first half was a road clean-up along a three mile stretch of intersection ND 41 as a means to enhance the area surrounding B01 for both the nearby community of Velva, N.D., as well as those who pull alert duty on the MAF. The second half of the event offered the opportunity for squadron members to unwind with a cookout while offering family members a chance to tour the whole MAF. The event was organized and led by 2d Lt Daniel Adams and 2d Lt Christopher Collins, both members of the 740th MS.

It began with a quick safety brief and run-down of how the clean-up was going to be accomplished. The 24 volunteers then split off into four groups equipped with trash-bags, gloves and safety vests. In addition to the personal protective equipment, each group had a chalk leader responsible for the overall safety of each member, the pace, and cleanliness of the quadrant they were assigned. Each group took one 1.5 mile stretch along the grassy roadside extending from the MAF. It took a little over an hour to clean the three mile stretch of ND 41, but during that time 20 bags of trash were filled and later collected by the county.

Overall, the event was a success and gave an opportunity for people to put in volunteer hours, make the area around B01 better, and give a chance for members to showcase where they work.