Operation Clean Sweep to begin on JBER

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is scheduled to host "Operation Clean Sweep," an installation-wide cleanup event - set in coordination with the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's 48th annual Citywide Cleanup May 2 to 6.

Throughout Operation Clean Sweep, JBER service members and residents will participate in cleaning the entire installation of trash and scattered waste items that have collected over the winter, said Senior Master Sgt. Tracy Johnston, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent of heavy repair. Army personnel will conduct their cleaning May 23 to 27 due to a scheduling overlap with training.

Orange trash bags will be handed out prior to the cleaning event to a unit point of contact. The orange trash bags allow for free waste disposal when properly discarded.

Large dumpsters and dump trucks will be located on JBER-E behind Hangar 5, and on JBER-R at 6th and Dyea Avenue, and Quartermaster Road and Richardson Drive.

People can contact their unit POC for updates and a full list of dump locations.

"The biggest difficulty during this time is people not taking the orange trash bags to the proper location," Johnston said. "We fill the dumpsters we normally use and we end up having to pay to dispose of it - [but it should be free.]"

During Operation Clean Sweep, units are responsible for cleaning at least 50 feet from the exterior of their assigned building, Johnston said. Units will also need to perform necessary landscaping duties to maintain a neat outward appearance.


All units and staff will:
-Remove all visible trash.
-Edge and sweep sidewalks.
-Remove dead plants.
-Mow and rake.
-Clean and weed flowerbeds.
-Clean parking lots, fence lines and ditches.
-Identify and submit work orders for items that need repair or pose a hazard.

Lawnmowers, weed eaters and other summer items can be signed for at Troop Issue, however, winter items must be returned prior to checkout, Johnston said.

To dispose of hazardous material, units can visit the hazardous waste disposal site at Building 4314, he said.

Units involved with the Alaska Department of Transportation's Adopt-a-Highway will be cleaning their designated sections throughout the week.

Employees of Aurora Military Housing will be doing their part by cleaning residential communities and common areas, said Cindy McElroy, deputy general manager with Aurora Military Housing.

"Aurora Housing would like to encourage all residents to get cleaned up and ready for spring," McElroy said.

Aurora will be placing large dumpsters at different locations throughout the installation to help residents dispose of large items.

Aurora Housing JBER-E dumpster locations:
Cherry Hill - near Building 7052.
Sunflower - near Building 4079.
Dallas - community center parking lot.
Silver run - Aurora Warehouse parking lot.
Chugach - at the end of Wilkins near the basketball court.
Moose Crossing - on Bengal Way near the pump house.

Aurora Housing JBER-R dumpster locations:
Cottonwood - near Building 1368.
Kodiak - parking area near the picnic pavilion.
Moose Haven - between Building 147 and Building 149.
Raven Ridge - on Beluga Ave. and 7th St.
Puffin Park - near Building 511.

Service members living outside in the Municipality of Anchorage have their own resources to dispose of waste items.

According to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Solid Waste Services will accept free disposal of residential waste from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 30, and May 7 at the Anchorage Regional Landfill. Loads must not exceed 1,000 pounds and must be properly covered to prevent littering. People with uncovered loads will be subject to fines.

Collaborative efforts between JBER and Anchorage during the spring cleaning campaign allows residents the opportunity to appropriately dispose of unnecessary clutter.

"This is the time of year to take pride in our base," Johnston said.

A lot of people visit JBER, he said. It's important to clean up, and be good representatives of the military.