Airmen ensure none left behind during final transition

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Justin McGhee, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron member, throws pieces of scrap metal into a temporary dump site March 19. The collection point was set up in conjunction with "Operation Clean Sweep," which was an effort to reduce bulk trash on base in anticipation of relocating forces at the end of the year. Airman McGhee is deployed from the178th Security Forces Squadron, Springfield, Ohio, and is a native of Greenville, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Airmen ensure none left behind during final transition

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Tech. Sgt. Eric Cicogna, 447th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, unloads bulk garbage items to throw into a dump site March 19. The collection point was set up in conjunction with "Operation Clean Sweep," which was an effort to reduce bulk trash on base in anticipation of relocating forces at the end of the year. Sergeant Cicogna is deployed from the 628th Communications Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and is a native of Lawrenceville, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Airmen ensure none left behind during final transition

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Justin McGhee, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron member, places unserviceable office furniture into a temporary dump site March 19. The collection point was set up in conjunction with "Operation Clean Sweep," which was an effort to reduce bulk trash on base in anticipation of relocating forces at the end of the year. Airman McGhee is deployed from the178th Security Forces Squadron, Springfield, Ohio, and is a native of Greenville, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau)

Airmen ensure none left behind during final transition

Published March 28, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Levi Riendeau
321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Eighteen units from Sather Air Base collected more than 19 tons of relics, debris and trash as base personnel prepare for transition later this year.

Operation Clean Sweep, led by 1st Lt. Marcus Hunt, 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, enlisted the help of base facility managers and hundreds of unit volunteers to help round up and dispose of everything from cigarette butts to heavy equipment that had accumulated around the base over the last seven years.

"Right now we're trying to draw down and consolidate for the state department," explained Lieutenant Hunt, who is deployed from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. "We decided to be proactive and start now."

Staff Sgt. Tyler Ogden, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron vehicle control officer, volunteered to 'police up' around his squadron using the resources he had at his disposal.

"We [used] dump trucks and heavy equipment [for the] constant heavy runs to the trash cans," said Sergeant Ogden.

The Air National Guardsman deployed from the 178th SFS in Springfield, Ohio, said he wanted to clean up around his squadron so the next, and quite possibly the last, rotation of Airmen wouldn't have to worry about garbage while closing up shop before the state department transition.

"We want them to have an easy, smooth transition out of here and not have to work overtime, adding stress to their lives," said Sergeant Ogden, a native of Springfield, Ohio.

Lieutenant Hunt, who hails from Washington, D.C., said Operation Clean Sweep will continue until the last servicemember leaves Sather Air Base. Sergeant Ogden hopes the operation will leave a lasting impression with his host nation partners.

"If they see us as professionals - cleaning our area, maybe they will pick up on that and have respect for their areas too," Sergeant Ogden said.