Dover AFB sends NASCAR volunteer Airmen

by Airman 1st Class William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2014 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- While fans filled the seats at Dover International Speedway, Airmen from Dover Air Force Base filled the concessions stands and parking lots with volunteers for race weekend.

NASCAR fans made their way back to Dover during race weekend, May 30-June 1, providing many Airmen with volunteer opportunities to raise money for squadron booster clubs and to interact with people from around the nation.

Staff Sgt. Joyce Bray, 436th Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis, and Staff Sgt. Sean Batson, 436th SFS police services, were out at race weekend with McGruff the Crime Dog inside the FanZone to interact with NASCAR fans.

"This is my first time volunteering for NASCAR and it's been absolutely amazing," said Bray. "The kids are responding great to McGruff and everyone is having fun. Coming out to events like this shows, how Dover AFB is here for everybody and not just our base."

Volunteers from the 436th Civil Engineering Squadron explosive ordinance disposal flight and 436th CES fire department accompanied the 436th SFS with demonstrations of their own. The EOD team brought out a Humvee, F6A robot and their bomb suit that fans could put on.

Squadron booster clubs also took part in race weekend. Members of the 9th Airlift Squadron volunteered to cook and work concession stands to raise money for the squadron booster club.

Senior Airman Kayla Russell, 9th AS loadmaster, worked the concession stand during the Nationwide Buckle Up 200 race and said the NASCAR race weekend is one of the biggest booster events for the squadron and brings in the most money.

"Volunteering out here is a great way to show our pelican pride and represent the squadron to the community," said Russell. "The race supports our booster club and gives us money for our tail flashes for when people depart Dover and funds our squadron Christmas party."

The 436th SFS provided security for race weekend and had airmen patrolling the camp grounds and working security in vendor lots.

Airman 1st Class Brandon Trapp, 436th SFS response force member, provided security for one of the vendors in the FanZone and he said it's nice to see the community and members of Dover AFB working closely together.

"There's a tremendous amount of work that goes into these events and it's nice to be part of it," said Trapp. "I like to help out my community whenever I can. I've seen and talked with a lot of people from around the country and got a taste of many different cultures."