Freedom Conference Center NCOs boost morale

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Air Force supervisors make it their mission to provide leadership to their subordinate Airmen as well as boost unit morale whenever possible. One pair of NCOs here takes boosting morale one step further serving as the focal point for the entire base. 

379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Tech. Sgt. John Cooper and Staff Sgt. Michael Smith coordinate unit morale events whether small or base-wide as Freedom Conference Center facility managers. 

"The big thing we are known for is taking care of all morale events on base such as the unit barbecues and the permanent party hails and farewells," said Sergeant Cooper, who is deployed from 7th Force Support Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas. "There isn't a day that goes by each month that we don't have something going on." 

Since February, the Freedom Conference Center staff has supported more than 8,000 personnel through more than 300 morale events. Any conference, special or morale event that requires food or force support is coordinated through the center. This includes support for joint, tenant and coalition partner units. 

"I don't know who came up with the idea but it is unique and has worked out great," said Sergeant Smith, who deployed from the 189th Force Support Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. "It really serves a need of support to the different squadrons and other services here." 

Without the center, base units could still request morale events at a dining facility, but the unit would need to coordinate approval as well as all the other details. 

"The DFACs have their daily mission. Instead, we coordinate and act as the middleman. It does take a lot of effort to put these events together, but it saves time and effort for the customer. It makes it easier for them, which is always a great thing," said Sergeant Smith. 

Units with 250 personnel or less are authorized one barbecue a month, larger units are authorized two per month. This doesn't stop the pair from working closely with units to ensure 100 percent participation where everybody can take full advantage of this program. 

"I try to work with first sergeants, because I know everyone in a unit cannot make it to one unit barbecue. I try to divvy it up and break them down into smaller events on different dates. The amount of food is proportional so there is no abuse of the program," said Sergeant Cooper. "It just taxes us more in manning hours and workload. It is extra work, but that is fine. That is our job here. If we need to stay late, that is why we are here. 

"We try to make it better, which is something I have always been taught throughout my whole career - when you come into a job, you make it better by the time you leave," said Sergeant Cooper. 

The active duty, guard and Reserve Airmen in our squadron come together well to support all these events, said Sergeant Smith who feels that Sergeant Cooper and himself may be event ring leaders but it takes the whole squadron to make the morale events happen. 

"I receive praise and customer appreciation but I am not here for the glory. To me, it is all about our Airmen and getting them recognized. They are out there busting their butts in the hot sun in the 100-degree heat. Anytime I can give back, I am going to," said Sergeant Cooper. 

"Every time we call on them, I can't say enough positive things about them. They are nothing short of phenomenal at making sure the customer is satisfied. Their organization of active duty, guard and Reserve contributes to the total Air Force," said Maj. Robert Wolfe, chief of future operations for the director of mobility forces at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center. 

The center also supports any conference hosted on base working in constant coordination with protocol. The facility, which was the original Independence dining facility before the second facility was built, is well suited to support conferences with two large rooms. 

There is one final area where they are a focal point for event support -- social events for any base distinguished visitors. 

"They are fantastic and always on-point, showcasing not only the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron but also the Wing to our distinguished visitors during their stay here. When we give them a request, we can count on them 100 percent to set it up and exceed the commander's expectations," said Tech. Sgt. Elroy Williams, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing protocol superintendant.