Troop 280 renovates for runners

Published May 27, 2015
By Airman Brandon May
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Editor's note: Courtesy titles are used due to the mention of three members of the Lundy family.

Austin Lundy and Boy Scout troop 280 completed a 107-hour, 28-person Eagle Scout project of improving the running trails of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

The project began Nov. 19, 2014 and was finished April 30, 2015.

The idea to renovate the trails came about when Troop 280 was hiking on the trails and noticed there were no markings or signs left to guide them. This was when the troop realized they could do something to improve the quality of the trails for hikers and runners.

Austin, son of Lt. Col. Chris Lundy, 47th Mission Support Group deputy commander, and Becki Lundy, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron unit program coordinator, along with his troop, improved 6.33 miles of running trails.

"The most challenging part of the project for Austin was working through the base processes," said Lt. Col. Lundy.

Before ground could be broken, electric companies needed to be notified, the total distance of the trail had to be mapped out and put on a GPS using geographic information system software, then they could apply for digging permits.

Renovating the trails had more challenges than just base processes. From start to finish, everyone involved had to make sure they were following military standards, the new signs had to be sanded and painted, holes had to be dug, and drilled in some cases because of the thick rock, and they had to pour concrete to stabilize the new posts, said to Kat Nielander, Troop 280 Scout Master.

Austin, who initially had to be "pushed" to join the Scouts is now on his way to becoming the highest rank a Boy Scout can reach.

With the help of Troop 280, its volunteers, and this project, Austin will now go through a board of review to determine if he is eligible to become an Eagle Scout. If they decide that he is, Austin will be officially awarded Eagle Scout.

To get to where he is now, Austin has been to three summer camps, earned 27 merit badges, and camped 33 nights, said Nielander.

Troop 280 is made up of 33 registered Boy Scouts. The majority of the troop leaders and committee are active duty, reserve military members and military spouses.

Other than this most recent project, Troop 280 has also delivered monthly Force Support Squadron flyers to houses on base, helped with the 2015 Devil Dash race and helped with the set-up and tear-down of this year's Spring Family Day.

Lt. Col. Lundy said it's incredible how many kids Nielander has in the program and the big things they are doing for the community.