Operation Cleanup

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan L. Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin and its Del Rio neighbors joined forces in taking out the garbage during Operation Cleanup along U.S. 90 from Laughlin's main gate to Bedell Avenue Jan. 27.

"We feel that the areas along U.S. 90 and Bedell Avenue are some of the first that people see when they come into Del Rio, it is our city's welcome mat," said Col. Tom Murphy, 47th Flying Training Wing commander. "We want to ensure that people get a great first impression of Del Rio, a city that does so much for us."

The joint project had many volunteers offering their time and energy to help pick up trash. Fifty one of Laughlin's own joined with city employees, the Val Verde Sheriff's Office and the Val Verde Regional Medical Center to get the job done.

"This is not a Laughlin project. This is a City of Del Rio, Val Verde Regional Medical Center, Military Affairs Association and Laughlin project," said Murphy. "This would not be done as well as it is without everyone working together."

Working from 8 a.m. till noon, volunteers collected 312 bags of trash from alongside the highway and then enjoyed a lunch provided by the Val Verde Regional Medical Center on their campus.

"I came out to support my squadron and do something good for the community," said Airman 1st Class James Harris, 47th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller apprentice. "I wanted to help promote a good public image of the Air Force to the local community."

Collecting everything from beer bottles to bicycles, volunteers made a difference and showed once again the team work routinely displayed between Laughlin and the City of Del Rio.