JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Personnel from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson participated in "Operation Clean Sweep," an installation-wide event in support of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's 50th Annual Citywide Cleanup April 30 to May 6.
Base regulations state that after each winter, JBER personnel will make an organized effort to improve the installation’s cleanliness and appearance.
“Our goal is to have all units on JBER working together – including our tenant units and mission partners – cleaning up all the trash and discarded items that have accumulated over the winter,” said Senior Master Sgt. Keith Taylor, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron heavy repair superintendent. “In addition to this giant sweep, we also use this week as a kick-off for the JBER units who participate in the Alaska Department of Transportation’s Adopt-a-Highway and the ‘Neat Team’ programs, which continue weekly through September to keep things looking good.”
Throughout the week, base members were responsible for edging and sweeping sidewalks, removing dead plants, mowing and raking, cleaning and weeding flowerbeds, cleaning parking lots, fence lines and ditches, and identifying and submitting work orders for items that need repair or may pose hazards.
Aurora Military Housing employees also did their part by cleaning residential communities and common areas.
“This year we teamed up with the Armed Services of Alaska YMCA in making JBER beautiful,” said Daniel Gregoire, AMH logistics manager. “Residents joined us in our efforts to remove unsightly waste as we worked to promote environmental conservation and offer extra resources to JBER residents and employees.”
Service members living outside the municipality of Anchorage also had their own resources to dispose of waste items.
According to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Solid Waste Services offers free disposal of residential waste during the annual cleanup for two days at the Anchorage Regional Landfill every year.
“We are known for doing great things at JBER and we wanted people to get involved to show their pride in the installation,” Taylor said. “We want those visiting to see our dedication to the cleanliness of it. Absolutely everyone is a part of this and everyone worked together to make this happen.”