Detour Airmen's Center turns 1 year old

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Detour turned one year old Sept. 20, and as it has matured, so have the Airmen who volunteer and relax there. 

The Detour includes a coffee bar, free internet access and video games, a sound-proof room for musical instruments as well as turn tables, air hockey and a new barbeque grill for special events. 

The Detour is staffed by Airmen volunteers who notify chaplain assistants when they open and close. 

The Airmen who volunteer get a chance to solve problems and practice skills that will be helpful throughout their Air Force careers, said Chaplain (Capt.) Jeromy Wells, 341st Space Wing chaplain. 

"It's a high visibility volunteer position and it offers challenges that Airmen learn from," Chaplain Wells said. 

The Airmen who volunteer at the Detour are tasked with maintaining an inventory of free coffee, soda and snacks as well as accounting for the inventory of video games and scheduling events like toga parties and live bands. 

"We've had bands like 'Young Izaak' and 'Social Habit' play here as well as 'Marshall Mclean,' a Christian band from Spokane, Wash.," said Senior Airman Jacob See, 341st Security Forces Group tactical response force member. "The Detour gets a lot of support and funding from the base chapel and the people who use this facility really appreciate it." 

"The Airmen respect the Detour and maintain its cleanliness," Chaplain Wells said, "The chaplains, shirts and members of the Top 3 stop by for safety and security, but not to act as enforcers of any kind." 

The Detour's changes and growth continue. Volunteers are planning to host a poetry event Nov. 8 and they need more help, said Airman 1st Class Audrey Hopgood, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron visual imagery intrusion detection systems technician. 

Other plans include a contemporary Christian service at the Detour on Sundays at 10 a.m.