Balad chapel staff opens center in fallen pilot's honor

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bryan Ripple
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  Airmen seeking a quiet place to relax in a space away from a crowded dorm room now have another place to spend off-duty time within the H-6 housing area at Balad AB.

Troy's Place, an Airmen Ministry Center sponsored by the Balad AB Chapel, opened May 4 and is in honor of a pilot who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, cut the ceremonial ribbon, after a prayer from Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Harry Mathis, the 332nd AEW chaplain.

"I know Troy would have been honored to help with a project like this," General Rand said. "A lot of effort went into this, and people should be proud."

Troy's Place is named for Maj. Troy Gilbert, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., who was deployed to this base and died while supporting coalition forces pinned down by anti-Iraqi forces Nov. 27, 2006.

"Major Gilbert was known by many for his kind, generous spirit, his love of the F-16, and for his vibrant personal faith," Chaplain Mathis said.

"A highly skilled pilot, he was also very active in base chapel programs at Balad, and volunteered significant amounts of time helping patients at the Air Force Theater Hospital," the chaplain said. "I'm told Troy would have been one of the first ones to help build and support the Airmen Ministry Center, and in honor of his life of service, this center is named for him."

Troy's Place was a project taken on by the Company Grade Officers Council with Capt. Robert Vidoloff of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron leading the way. 

Staff Sgt. Brian Marts, a chaplain assistant, developed the concept, and it was built almost entirely by volunteer labor in an empty tent space adjacent to the base chapel.

"The effort people put into this was phenomenal, combining many different talents and abilities," Sergeant Marts said.

The center came together with the help of numerous people who donated off-duty time to make the center a reality. 

"I like working with my hands, and making a place for people to hang out during free time is an awesome opportunity," said Senior Airman Corey Chism of the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. The Airman helped out by installing the flooring, cleaning the tables, and building bookshelves.

"It's another thing Balad is doing to make living conditions better for Airmen," said Tech. Sgt. Troy Kiick, assigned to the 727th EACS and who worked on the flooring portion of the project.

Master Sgt. James Murphy of the 727th EACS contributed his carpentry skills by building cabinets and a coffee bar.

"It was a rewarding way for me to spend my time off and contribute to a quiet place for people to hang out, which is something I enjoy," Sergeant Murphy said.

Several other individuals, wing units and professional development organizations contributed to the creation of Troy's Place. With the center now open, Airmen will be able to honor one of their own as they find a place to rest from supporting the war on terrorism. 

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