Base’s first online town hall meeting proves successful

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Straight forward answers to in-person and online questions were on the agenda at the first-ever town hall meeting broadcast over the internet here May 31.

Col. Christopher Kulas, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, hosted the meeting and provided subject matter experts from a wide array of base services to answer questions for Team Mildenhall members.

Commanders and civilian managers from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath were present at the base theater and responded to a recent quality-of-life survey in an attempt to bring concerns to light and demonstrate leadership's intent to take a second look at those issues.

As a result of the 2011 QoL survey, dormitory residents now have WiFi internet in their dorms, a rubberized running track is under construction around the base perimeter and healthier food options have been initiated by the 100th Force Support Squadron and Army Air Force Exchange Service.

Lt. Col. Adrian Hageman, 100th FSS commander, showed a slide illustrating a vast improvement to FSS customer service as a direct result to last year's survey.

From July 2010 through June 2011, customer satisfaction at the 100th FSS Military Personnel Section was at 47 percent. Now, a year later, satisfaction has risen to 92 percent - a nearly 100 percent increase in positive feedback.

"Superior service for our customers is one of my main goals," said Hageman. "We've taken your feedback and improved customer service."

After a panel discussion including experts from the 100th ARW, 100th Mission Support Group, 48th Medical Group, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron, 100th FSS, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Office and AAFES, the floor opened to questions from the more than 100 attendees in the audience and internet viewers.

Dozens of questions from the internet audience were answered on the spot. In the few instances where more research was needed, the audience member's contact details were acquired for follow-up responses.

Despite hurdles, base leadership remains committed to improving QoL for Team Mildenhall.

"We're serving in a time of fiscal constraints and do our best to operate within those constraints, while balancing quality of life with mission requirements," said Kulas. "Quality of life is very important to Team Mildenhall and we will continue to look for ways to improve upon it."