Incirlik volunteers strengthen community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) --  Incirlik Air Base members reached out to help citizens of Incirlik by renovating a village park with fresh paint, landscaping and equipment Nov. 15 in the village just outside the base. 

About 75 base volunteers ventured out to the nearby Incirlik Village park to give Turkish children a nicer place to play and a renovated area for the community to gather.

Master Sgt. Edward Gunter of the 39th Operations Squadron and his wife, Darcy, worked with Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Tims, the 39th Air Base Wing chapel, to get this project underway. They researched the different aspects of the project and then compiled a team to take on the project.

Master Sgts. Kevin Barstow and David Gurley, both of the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron, gathered the proper tools, equipment and personnel needed for each step of the process.

"I also reached out to Lt. Col. Michelle Raven (the 39th Air Base Wing staff judge advocate and project volunteer) because I wanted legal counsel and oversight," Chaplain Tims said.

Not everything in need of repair is handled by the base community.

"The mayor has called the city civil engineer department to test the electrical capability," Chaplain Tims said. "We (volunteers) are buying new fixtures to go over the lights because all the lights are broken. The electrical work will be done by the mayor's office."

Due to its popularity, this park is at the top of the local renovation list.

"This park is without a doubt the biggest need," Chaplain Tims said. "More kids use it than any other local park."

Funding for the project comes completely from donated chapel general funds specifically given for this project, Chaplain Tims said.

"This project will be a success if we visit in January and see children playing in a clean, safe area," Colonel Raven said.

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