The White Falcon - 18.08.2005, Qupperneq 1

Vol. 65 No. 33
online at www.nctskef.navy.mil
Aug. 18, 2005
Volunteers spruce up school
house for scholastic studies
Story and photos by
Journalist 2nd Class Matthew Bradley
Students at A.T. Mahan High Schools will return to
a spruced up facility thanks to the help of local vol-
unteers that worked hard through the schools summer
vacation.
Volunteers gave the school a fresh coat of paint and
performed numerous other repairs to the school.
Deborah Pedescleaux, A.T. Mahan High School sup-
ply technician, said the volunteers’ help was invaluable
in getting the facility ready for the new school year.
“Because of budget cuts, and the fact that we don’t
have a janitor, we have to rely a lot on volunteers,”
said Pedescleaux
Volunteers fromNASKEF’s Public Works Department
and the 85th Group worked during their off duty hours
throughout the summer painting, replacing ceiling
tiles, and making minor repairs to help provide a safer
and better learning environment for the students.
“When we walked through the school, we noticed a
lot of little things that needed to be done,” said Builder
1st Class Jonathon Garigal. “Little distractions like
that in a learning environment can distract the students
from the task of learning.”
In addition to helping the school’s environment, the
volunteers were also able to save the school money.
“Most of the jobs we did, we were able to use scrap
materials, so it didn’t really cost anybody any money
for the repairs because we utilized whatever we could
find,” said Steelworker 2nd Class Jayson Fontaine.
(Above, below and left) Volunteers from
Keflavlk’s Air Force 85th Group Security
Forces Squadron (SFS) voluntarily paint a
hallway at the base’s A.T. Mahan High School.
The SFS are one of several community groups
who have volunteered to help repair and
refurbish the school during the summer.
“The volunteers took a lot of pride in the work they
did and it shows in the way the school looks,” said
Pedescleaux. “These guys were coming on their off-
duty time and weekends to give us a helping hand.”
Volunteers from the 85th Group Security Forces
painted a hallway just last week after finishing their
night shift.
“We work shift work and we usually spend the first
day of our break volunteering,” said Senior Airman
David Simpson. “I’ve noticed a huge improvement in
the school. Before the walls were scuffed and dirty,
and after we’ve touched them up they are a lot cleaner
and brighter.”
It makes him feel better knowing the students will
have a better place to pursue their education, Simpson
added.
The volunteers themselves also walked away from
the experience with a sense of accomplishment and
community pride.
“It feels good to be able to give back to the commu-
nity,” said Senior Airman Michelle Sandberg. “I used
to volunteer at my last command and I guess you just
get used to it and it becomes a habit.”
...
Airman 1st Class Ashley Turner
Airman 1st Class
Ashley Turner, 20, died
onboard NAS Keflavik
Sunday evening.
Turner was bom in
Frederick, Md. March
20, 1985 and enlisted in
the U.S. Air Force
after graduating from
high school.
After completing
Basic Military Training,
Turner proceeded to
Technical School at
Keesler AFB, Miss.
Upon graduation
from Technical train-
ing Turner received her
assignment to Naval
Air Station Keflavik,
Iceland where she served
in Aviation Resource
Management.
Turner is survived by
her father, Lawrence
Turner; mother, Lisa
Turner and brother,
Jason Turner. Both of
her parents are retired
U.S. Navy Sailors.
Turner had a love
for animals and was
focused on pursuing a
career as a veterinarian
and wanted to receive
her commission in the
U.S. Air Force.
A memorial service
honoring Airman 1st
Class Turner’s life and
distinguished U.S. Air
Force career is sched-
uled for Aug. 24.
The time and location
of the service are cur-
rently undetermined.
For more information
about the event, contact
Air Force Capt. Ben
Conde at 7805.
Her death is currently
under investigation.
Master Sgt. Rod E. Mason
Master Sgt. Rod E.
Mason died from termi-
nal cancer Saturday Aug.
13.
At the time of his death,
Mason was serving as
First Sergeant for the
Air Force 85th Group's
56th Rescue Squadron
at Naval Air Station
Keflavik.
Mason is survived
by his wife, Tech Sgt.
Jennifer Mason, and
their children, Audrey,
Danielle, Ashley, Eric
and Marion.
A memorial service
honoring Master Sgt.
Mason's life and distin-
guished U.S. Air Force
career is scheduled for
Aug. 25 at 1 p.m.
The location of the ser-
vice is currently undeter-
mined.
For more informa-
tion about the event,
contact Master Sgt.
Michael Hatcher by
email at Michael.
Hatcher@keflavik.af.mil.
85“ Group
Health of the Fleet <m*m*mm*i** <w
Ryvig Hours (Gaol/Rown) Data (*f- tram Goal) Mtssion Capable R
HH-60G 11244/1146.8
F-15
KC-135
Sorties Roam (year)
849
195
♦224 77.7
Hours Roam (year)
1497.8
552.5