Misawa cleans up by springing into spring

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  With the weather slowly warming up, it can only mean one thing...spring is upon us.
 
Spring brings great responsibility; cleaning responsibility that is. Winter has come and gone, and the layers of snow, that once concealed many things, are slowly clearing away. After long winters, the base accomplishes annual "Spring into Spring" events to break out of winter and clear out the area of debris.

Misawa spring clean-up week will be April 16 to April 20. The purpose of this week is to emphasize the pride of Misawa and provide a week for facility managers, occupants and housing residents to focus on base appearance.

"I think it is important for us as a base to come together and help clean-up," said Airman 1st Class Meriam Rokki, 35th Medical Support Squadron outpatient records technician. "Because no matter where we work or what career field we are in, we all have one thing in common that we can take pride in...and that is the base we are stationed at."

According to 35th Fighter Wing Instruction 32-6003 Grounds Maintenance, facility managers are responsible for the maintenance and appearance of all areas up to 150 feet on all sides of their facilities or halfway to an adjacent facility. During base clean-up week, facility occupants can help facility managers clean-up in the following ways:
· Collect trash and debris within 150 feet of facilities.
· Mow and edge grass along walkways.
· Rake leaves, grass clippings, twigs, pine cones and other "green waste".
· Weed flower gardens, sidewalks and parking lots.
· Trim hedges.
· Identify cracked curb and gutter sections and report them to the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron so they can be repaired.
· Sweep and clear parking lots, curbs and gutters.
· Wash door and window glass and clear them of any tape residue.
· Dust blinds and curtains.
· Vacuum carpets.
· Function check all interior lighting to include emergency exit signs.
· Clear walls of unused nails and screws.
· Identify damaged carpeting and flooring tiles.
· Function check all fire extinguishers and door locks.
· Clean out all storage buildings and rooms.

In accordance with the 35 FW Instruction 32-2901, Community Standards, the appearance of base housing directly reflects our pride in the installation and more importantly, our commitment to a safe, well-kept community. Housing residents can help with base clean-up by doing the following:
· Collect trash and debris in occupant areas of responsibility.
· Mow and edge grass along walkways.
· Rake leaves, grass clippings, twigs, pine cones and other "green waste".
· Weed flower gardens, sidewalks and parking lots.
· Trim hedges and grass around foundations.
· Identify cracked curb and gutter sections and report to housing.
· Sweep and clear parking lots, curbs and gutters.
· Porches and patios should be swept and items must be neatly maintained.
· Ensure exterior hoses are neatly wrapped.
· Touch up exterior paint (items available at Self Help).
· Check conditions of fencing, awnings and sheds.
· Check serviceability and safety of exterior toys (i.e. trampolines and swing sets).
· Clean exterior walls and windows (first floor only).

"I think that the base clean-up should not be viewed as a laborious task, but instead as an opportunity to get out and be part of the community," said Master Sgt. Chad Wagner, 35 CES heavy repairs superintendent.

Each group at Misawa Air Base will have certain sections of responsibility during the week of base clean-up. Groups and Units will walk their sectors on a day of their choosing, coordinated by group point of contacts. It will be a bring your own bag event. Facility managers will be responsible for clean-up within 150 feet of their facility, including parking areas. Clean-up crews are responsible for streets, sidewalks and common areas.

For questions or concerns, contact the 35 CES Customer Service desk at 226-9350 or Wagner at 226-3906. For fallen tree limbs, contact 35 CES Customer Service desk.