FEATURES

Pride Patrol keeps Nellis trash-free

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brett Clashman
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEV. --  Some people don't think twice before throwing their trash on the ground. To keep the installation clean, the pride patrol, operated by the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy equipment shop, spends the better part of their day picking up what others throw on the ground.

The pride patrol's purpose is to keep the installation clean and neat in appearance and to present an outstanding image of Nellis AFB to all distinguished visitors, military and Department of Defense members and all guests that come on base, said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lawson, 99th CES pavement and concrete NCO in charge, and pride patrol assistant program manager.

"Airmen are selected by respective unit's first Sergeants and superintendents for weekly rotations," Lawson said. "We don't want to portray it as an additional duty or a punishment, we want to emphasize that it's the responsibility of everyone on base for cleaning up and ensuring it stays beautiful and presentable."

The pride patrol's area of responsibility encompasses almost the entire installation with the exception of the airfield and base housing.

"They pick a different variety of volunteers. It's nice to see Airmen from different organizations come together as one; it builds morale," said Senior Airman Maxamiliano Rodriguez, 99th CES operations manager. "Finding trash helps with the FOD [Foreign Object Debris] on the flightline and prevents potential damage to aircraft."

Rodriguez emphasizes that the task of keeping the installation neat and orderly is the overall responsibility of everyone who resides on the base.

"Don't litter and do your part to help keep the base clean, it shows the pride we have in taking care of our workplace," Rodriguez said.