RAF Mildenhall quality of life improvements top $500,000

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall will complete nine 100th Civil Engineer Squadron quality of life initiatives this fiscal year after receiving $500,000 from United States Air Forces in Europe. 

Each quarter, organizations submit a "wish list" of projects to USAFE for funding, but to have so many funded was a surprise, according to Master Sgt. John Arquette, 100th CES Defence Estates liaison. 

"Quality of life initiatives directly affect the morale of the base," he said. A list of about 30 items is prioritized by base leadership and submitted for funding. Once funded, Defence Estates assigns a project manager who translates the request into technical requirements and liaises with contractors hired to do the work. 

The 100th CES quality of life initiatives for RAF Mildenhall include: 

-- Extending the perimeter running track to cover the north side of the airfield.
-- Installing a half-mile running track near the Hardstand Gym and linking it with the perimeter track.
-- Laying new turf on the softball fields on the south side, as well as installing professional-grade dugouts.
-- Providing screens for hundreds of windows in five dormitories, so they could be opened without letting bugs inside.
-- Replacing the Plexiglas walls and benches at four bus stops.
-- Remodeling the Bob Hope Community Center ball room with a new stage, lighting, paint, carpet and woodwork.
-- Removing the skateboard park behind the Galaxy Club to make way for an outdoor basketball court and multi-use area.
-- Replacing concrete slab sidewalks with the standard red-brick block paving. 

Some projects are already done, and the rest are scheduled to be finished before the end of Fiscal 2008. Anyone wishing to make a quality of life suggestion can channel their idea through their chain of command.