ALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, Kuwait -- The Marauders will have a new fitness facility starting August 1, 2019, according to the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.
The move from the original fitness tent to the new, smaller tent is temporary and part of an overall installation improvement plan, said U.S. Air Force Maj. Kathryn Maitrejean, 386th EFSS commander.
“The current site of the fit tent is part of the next phase of lodging construction,” Maitrejean said. “This has been part of a long-term plan to upgrade lodging facilities and improve quality of life for those who are deployed to Ali Al Salem.”
The new facility, located across from the entrance of the Flex Fitness Center, is expected to stay open until the middle of November when a permanent structure is scheduled to be built. While the size is around 3,000 square feet less, it still has much of the equipment from the original location.
“The men and women of the 386th EFSS are passionate about fitness and know how important it is to our patrons,” Maitrejean said. “Many deployers use this time away from their normal routines to take their fitness to the next level, and we are committed to helping them to do exactly that. Over the coming months, we are looking forward to re-opening the fitness tent and continuing to improve the fitness facilities and equipment for all of our patrons.”
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alonza Loury, 386th EFSS fitness and sports section chief, oversaw the two-day move. Loury said it was a base-wide team effort between the 386th EFSS and 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron that prepped the ground, set the tent up and installed heating and air conditioning units. Volunteers from across the base assisted the fitness center staff to move 800 pieces of equipment.
“Thanks to the volunteers and fitness center staff who made the move a success,” Loury said. “We could not do it without them.”