Airmen cut ribbon at Detour re-opening

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont., --  More than 50 Airmen from all ranks attended the re-opening ceremony of the Detour April 2, following interior renovations, estimated at about $15,000 and 240 hours of volunteer efforts. 

Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate, Air Force Space Command chaplain, and Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Rutledge, AFSPC command chaplain assistant and functional manager, were also in attendance. The two were at Malmstrom on a site visit to meet with Airmen. 

The Detour first opened Sept. 20, 2006, after Airmen pitched the idea for a coffee bar and entertainment center to base leadership. 

The makeover was sponsored by a $2,400 grant from the DUI Task Force, more than $10,000 from the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws committee and additional donations from base organizations including the base chapel, the Top Three, the First 
Sergeant's Council and the Malmstrom Spouse's Club. 

Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander, and Airman 1st Class Anthony Melendez, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical team member, joined forces and cut the ribbon with an over-sized pair of scissors, measuring about two feet long. 

"Our flight line is 23,000 square miles, and we have billions of dollars worth of equipment, but our most important resource is our Airmen," Colonel Fortney said. "Without them, none of the other stuff matters." 

Airmen volunteers provided the muscle to bring in the three new couches, six chairs with ottomans, seven new flat-screen TVs and several video players. They also mounted TV brackets and helped lay a new coat of dark-red paint from March 30 to April 1 that complimented the new furnishings. 

The Malmstrom First Sergeant's Council grilled more than 200 hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken breasts, provided by EUDL funds, and brought on base by Steve Pre'tat, Great Falls Master Patrolman and EUDL project coordinator. 

"The whole premise behind this project and program is to enlighten the Airmen [and let them know] there are more constructive things to do than drink," Officer Pre'tat said. 

"Airmen have so much to lose if they get a DUI or minor in possession of alcohol [charge.] We wanted to provide them a comfortable place where they can socialize and enjoy their time in an environment that does not sell alcohol." 

The officer's involvement with EUDL has given him a chance to provide Airmen an alternative to drinking, instead of just briefing people on the impact poor decision making has on a career, he said. 

A photography competition held in conjunction with the re-opening provided Airmen another avenue to make the Detour their own. The Detour staff will enlarge and frame the winning photographs to display at the Detour. 

"The Detour is for Airmen and by Airmen," said Julie Wiseman, Detour coordinator. "The photography contest allows the Airmen to decorate the Detour themselves, which gives them more sense of ownership. Their mission is stressful and they need a break when they are off-duty." 

The Detour's renovations help achieve the goal of helping Airmen relax by not looking like the other buildings on base -- not having a military look, she said. 

"I like it," said Airman 1st Class David Gaines, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron heating ventilation and air conditioning technician. "I come here a lot and the new atmosphere is really nice. I like the new TVs too. The old ones were starting to fade a little. I wish I could come here more often." 

Future plans include making the band room, where Airmen can play drums, guitars and other instruments, sound proof. A $3,000 grant provided by Air Staff and approved by Chaplain (Col.) Gregory Tate, Air Force Space Command chaplain, and Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson, Air Force chief of chaplains, will provide funding for this project. 

Winners of the photo contest are: first place, Airman 1st Class Sonya Young; second place Airman Eric Chapin; third place Airman 1st Class Anthony Melendez. There photos will be enlarged to 8 inches by 10 inches or larger, depending on photo resolution, and displayed at the Detour. 

To see the photos, get a free coffee, play video games, watch a movie, play an instrument in a sound-proof room, go online to play a game and check e-mail, or volunteer to help out, just drop in from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 3 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. 

The Detour is available for enlisted Airmen from the rank of E-1 to E-4. For more information on the Detour, or to volunteer, call Julie Wiseman at 952-1529.