Innovative Environmental Coin Challenges Altus AFB

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl and SrA Leandra Hernandez
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron wants to recognize outstanding achievers in environmental stewardship and conservation with the award of a numbered challenge coin.

The coin is the first of its kind on Altus Air Force Base.

"We do have specific criteria on how the coin is to be awarded. We don't just give it out," said Michael Reyes, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental program manager.

Anyone on base can earn this honor; the key is environmental excellence. Nominations can come from any source, and should be directed to Mr. David Wallace in the environmental flight of 97th Civil Engineering.

"There's a whole bunch of different ways you can do something excellent for your environment and that's captured by the nominee. I'll take that into our voting group which is basically the environmental branch and we will vote and it's just a simple majority," said Wallace.

"The coin was designed to recognize someone who goes above and beyond their daily performance and job. Just doing something is the right thing to do but if someone takes the added step to do more things to protect the environment to reduce the amount of waste that they generate in their section by changing out chemicals or something like that then that is what the coin is designed to do," said Reyes.

The coin was designed by members of the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron, and is meant to represent the elements of environmental conservation here at Altus AFB and in Oklahoma.

"The design of the coin is such that it encompasses the four elements of environmental. Each one of these is a different environmental element. The trees designate the natural cultural resource element. The smoke stacks with the circle with a line through it, is the prevention of pollution. The one with the aircraft flying and you see the backhoe digging up, that's under the installation restoration because we have to clean up as problems have been created. And the three squares with the checks are a compliance element of environmental. So you take all four of those pillars and it creates the environmental program on the installation. The backside is basically recognition of CE, not only the base but Oklahoma and of course the Air Force symbol and they are numbered so we track them in that fashion," said Reyes.

Recently, six members of the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron received coins during a commander's call to recognize the work they did on the dam and weir system on the flight line side of the base.

"I just think we were doing our job; they asked us to stay late and we did. I appreciate we got recognized for it but we were just doing our job," said Airman 1st Class Corey Barr, water/fuel systems journeyman.

"It's nice to be recognized! I mean, we do a lot of work around here and it's good to be recognized like this," said Staff Sgt. Pedro Magallanes, water/fuel systems craftsman.

"It's a very good award, for the effort... trying to keep costs down and take care of the base," said Airman 1st Class Andre Hulse, water/fuel systems journeyman.

"From the airfield to our private homes, the environment touches every facet of our lives. This environmental recognition program is vital to cultivating a mindset of environmental stewardship within our community. By considering the environmental impacts of our day-to-day activities and operational planning, we all take part in enhancing our readiness to 'fly, fight and win' and ensuring Altus AFB is the best place to work, train, live and play," said Lt. Col. Yvonne Spencer, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron commander.