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Rock opens MWR tents for OND Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrated the grand opening of two new Morale, Welfare and Recreation Tents Nov. 5 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

"The tents were built for the permanent party personnel staying out in Commando Village who are part of Operation New Dawn transition," said Airman 1st Class Dustin Turner, 386thExpeditionary Force Support Squadron lodging journeyman. "They do not have the luxury that we do, of having wifi in our dorm rooms, so we did this for them since we have the resources and the manpower to do it. It's just a place to watch TV, call loved ones on the morale phones or skype them with the wifi, or to just hangout and relax with your friends."

From start to finish the tents took two days to set up.

"We unloaded furniture into both tents, set up the furniture and placed it accordingly," said Airmen Turner, deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "We also cleaned the floors. There were approximately 12 personnel that helped set up the tents to include Commando Village Staff, Bedrock Lodging Staff, Linen Exchange, Food Service and Fitness personnel."

Both tents are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"Anybody and everybody staying in Commando Village has access to them," said Airmen Turner, native of Phoenix, Ariz.

The tents are a way to give back.

"Our main mission at the Rock is to support the boots on the ground in Iraq," said Airmen Turner. "With all the troops pulling out of Iraq and transitioning here to Tent City, we wanted to make certain that they felt welcomed and supported. With the opening of these morale tents, they do not have to walk over to main base to enjoy the same things we have."

It's tough being overseas and away from your families, he added. So it's our job to boost up their morale the best we can.