ACE, joint force tackles Gate 2 clean-up

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  More than 145 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and family members showed up at the Kadena USO Sunday to help clean up the area commonly known as "Gate 2 Street." 

The monthly clean-up effort was sponsored by Airmen Committed to Excellence to improve community relations. 

"It was amazing to see how many people were willing to take time out of their busy schedule to help strengthen our relationship with our host nation," said Airman 1st Class Katie Todd, an ACE member from the 18th Security Forces Squadron who helped organize the activity. "Without the community support we received, this event would not have been possible." 

Volunteers picked up trash from Gate 2 down to the intersection with highway 330 known as "Four Corners." 

"We normally take care of Gate 2 Street up to 'Four Corners," said Senior Airman Terry Owens, 18th Communications Squadron radar maintenance technician. "But because of the huge turn-out, we also cleaned up BC Street and down B.C. Motor's street right outside of the gate." 

Also out donating time alongside fellow Airmen to help beautify Gate 2 Street was Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson, 18th Wing command chief. He thanked the volunteers for their participation and praised ACE for hosting events which benefit the local community. 

"The Gate 2 and B.C. Street clean-up initiative only skims the surface of the great involvement our ACE organization has on Kadena Air Base and within our local communities off base," Chief Johnson said. "In addition, it was great to also see senior NCOs, NCOs, petty officers and first sergeants from the Army, Navy and Air Force showing their support by participating with our young Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, cadets and family members."