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Leading by example

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Hannah Landeros
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar --  Guiding and mentoring junior Airmen and NCOs is the primary goal of the Top Three at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. As a part of this process, the Top Three took the initiative to refurbish a grill at Memorial Plaza, to remind Airmen to leave this base better than they found it.

The Top Three is a professional organization that fosters the AUAB community through the interaction and camaraderie of its members. The group promotes morale, esprit de corps and professional development, through volunteer opportunities, award programs and professional development seminars.

Tech. Sgt. Damian Davies assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and lead of the 2013 Legacy Project (the name of the renovation project) presented his idea to renovate the grill to the Top Three council.

The 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron uses the grill for a dinner and a movie night once a month providing nearly 300 meals. All branches of service, professional organizations and coalition forces utilize the grill for BBQs regularly as well.

"Giving everyone a different option for dinner once a month helps boost morale and we are able to have a cookout and enjoy a change of scenery," said Gagnon.

"Most of the materials we acquired were material left over from previous jobs throughout the installation," said Davies a Sacramento, Calif., native deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy. "I always tell my Airmen to pick one thing you can improve on your deployment small or large and follow it through from start to finish."

The Top Three and 16 volunteer Airmen of various organizations throughout the base completed this task in five days total time.

"The paint was peeling, tiles were broken and the grill was in bad condition, something needed to be done," said Master Sgt. Jason Gagnon project co-lead assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. "Making this place better than when we found it; that's what we are doing here. This is the attitude we want all Airmen to have, from the First Four to the Top Three," explained Gagnon a Medway, Maine native deployed from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

The 2013 Legacy Project was the project this rotation of Top Three members took on while deployed and challenge other service members to leave AUAB better than when they arrived.

"Others can become involved by two simple words, 'take ownership,'" said Gagnon. "If you want to make something better let your professional organization know."

The renovation was approved with a budget of $150.00. The team kept the cost of the 2013 Legacy Project to a total of $21.24.

When people have nice things, those items are usually appreciated and taken care of so others may enjoy them as well, explained Davies.

"It was a larger project than I thought it was going to be and it turned out better than anticipated," said Davies. "It was a rewarding experience."

Legacy Projects will continue as each rotation arrives in theater and selects a project to leave AUAB better than they found it.