308th signs on to clean up

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Glendale mayor, Glendale representatives and Luke Thunderbolts attended an Adopt-A-Street ceremony June 7 marking the 308th Fighter Squadron's commitment to keep areas clean around Luke Air Force Base.

During the ceremony, 308th FS Airmen posted Adopt- A-Street signs along the roads indicating the squadron's pledge to improve the area.

"The Adopt-A-Street program enables the community, civic organizations, private businesses and individuals to actively participate in enhancing the overall appearance of the streets in the Phoenix area," said Maj. Aaron Saul, 308th FS assistant director of operations.

The two-year commitment requires volunteers to remove trash and debris at least four times a year from the adopted one-mile segments of road, Saul said. Though the squadron is only obligated to remove trash quarterly, the 308th FS's goal is to go above and beyond.

"Our goal is to remove trash from our adopted segments, Glendale Avenue (from Litchfield Road to Dysart Road) and Litchfield Road (from Glendale Avenue to Northern Avenue) on a monthly basis," Saul said.

The 308th FS has been providing teams of six to eight pilots since the adoption to pick up trash along the roadways and sidewalks.

"We've been picking up anything from cups, bottles, papers and more," said Capt. Eric Gorney, 308th FS standardization and evaluation chief. "We also coordinate with the city of Glendale for pickup of larger items that are discarded."

Mayor Jerry Weiers closed the ceremony by thanking the Airmen after the signs were posted.

"I think it's marvelous that the 308th FS adopted these streets," Weiers said. "It's great that Luke is giving back to the community. We are very, very appreciative of what they are doing."