The Detour: For Airmen, By Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Months of hard work by dedicated Airmen who suffered only minor setbacks finally culminated in the grand opening of the new Airmen's center, The Detour, with a ribbon cutting Sept. 20. 

Air Force Space Command Chaplain (Col.) Brian Hunter attended, as well as many leaders on base, but, in keeping with The Detour's motto - for Airmen, by Airmen -the ceremony focused primarily on the Airmen. 

Several key workers involved with The Detour, along with Chaplain Hunter and Col. Sandy Finan, 341st Space Wing Commander, spoke briefly before the ribbon cutting. Following the ceremony, there were hot dogs, hamburgers, cake and other refreshments to be had, and The Detour soon filled up with people eating, chatting and having a good time. 

"It was so crowded at the grand opening that it was difficult to make it from one end of the building to another," said Airman Nicholas Hunt, 341st Security Support Squadron. 

Inside, Airmen moved in on the computer room to take advantage of the free internet and gaming systems. Airmen also lingered around the coffee bar, sampling drinks and enjoying the music playing in the atrium of The Detour. Outside, braving the cool temperatures, Airmen ate and socialized while some were still manning the grill. 

"The Detour is currently set up as a hangout," said Airman Hunt. "Now we want to do Airmen-led programs and activities. We want Airmen to come up with things based on their passions, take charge of activities and make it so it's not just a place to hang out, we always need to be moving forward." 

A total of $100,000 has been donated for the development of the Airmen's Center, said Airman 1st Class Greg King, a lodging specialist with the 341st Services Squadron. Half of the funding came from General Lance Lord, former commander of Air Force Space Command, and the other half came from former 341st Space Wing Commander Col. Everett Thomas. Other funds have been contributed by the chapel. 

"I feel the Detour has made a vast improvement on base," said Airman 1st Class Nate Patterson, a mobile fire team member with the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron. "The funding and support from our leadership on base shows that they care about us not only as Airmen, but as people." 

Open from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, The Detour offers Airmen not only food, fun and games, but also a safe, comfortable environment to make friends, hang out and bond with fellow Airmen. 

"The planning of the new Airman center started early last year when a group of Airmen went before Colonel Thomas, Chief Master Sgt. Robert Moore and other members of Wing leadership to plant the seed of a new Airman's center to replace the slowly dying Minuteman Cafe in bldg. 640," said Airman King. "The Airmen's Center was, and still is, targeting the reduction of DUI's, MIP's and just giving the Airmen something to do." 

"On any given night, we have had as many as 75 Airmen using The Detour whether they're watching a movie in the movie room, checking e-mails and playing games in the game room, playing air hockey, getting their favorite coffee or Italian soda, or jammin' out in the music room," said Airman King. 

"Our very best deserve the very best," said Chaplain (Lt. Col) Pat McCain. "This is a tangible way we can take care of our most precious resource - our people."