Commander sets goals for Osan Air Base

by Senior Airman David Owsianka
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/11/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- To help build momentum toward Team Osan-wide integration, Osan Air Base is standing up task forces around three goals to improve mission efficiency.

The three goals are to reduce alcohol abuse, achieve 80 percent of Airmen reaching excellent on the fitness test, and enable and inspire the members of Team Osan to complete 10,000 "service before self" volunteer hours per month.

"These goals are vital to mission effectiveness and the health, safety, resilience and morale of our Airmen and their families," said Lt. Col. Trent Davis, 51st Fighter Wing chaplain and task force organizer. "The commander's goals emphasize the unique needs of the base. Ensuring a healthier base populace is important to supporting mission accomplishment."

Alcohol abuse and alcohol related incidents can negatively impact careers, families and are a factor in far too many assaults, sexual assaults and suicides.

"A reduction in alcohol abuse ensures that Airmen are emotionally and physically fit for duty and able to meet their mission responsibilities so that our Wing is 'ready to fight tonight,'" Davis said. "It's vital to mission effectiveness and the health of our community that we seek to lower the abuse of alcohol."

Fitness helps Airmen stay healthy and keep up with the operations tempo at Osan.
The fitness center offers a multitude of different programs. There are programs such as intramural and varsity sports, yoga, Zumba and cross fit.

There are other avenues on Osan Airmen can receive help with fitness too, such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, which provides ways to eat healthier and the base Medical Group, which teaches nutrition classes.

"Airmen at Osan must have the physical and emotional resilience to sustain them through frequent exercises and busy work loads," Davis said. "Each Airman is too important to our mission not to promote long term fitness and health."

Lastly, volunteering is an avenue Airmen can use to give back to the communities on and off base.

There are numerous organizations that provide volunteer opportunities for Airmen to become involved in throughout the base.

One organization Airmen can volunteer for is the Homeward Bound Osan Animal Shelter.
Volunteers will help care for animals that are abandoned, relinquished or stray. The volunteers help by walking and playing with the pets.

"I'm convinced that the overall goal is being healthier, whether it's a physically, spiritually, emotionally, ethically or morally healthier community, we are stronger when we are healthier," Davis said. "When we work towards that goal together, I believe that we are going to see improvement, and healthier and happier Airmen."