Lions, tigers and AFSOC, oh my!

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  There was an unusual sound at the Gulf Breeze Zoo Nov. 20.

Amidst the roars of the lions and calls of the siamong monkeys, a chainsaw wailed as members of the Air Force Special Operations Forces Air Operations Center from Hurlburt Field sliced through logs as part of a unit volunteer project.

"It's about helping out people when they need it," said Tech Sgt. Andrew Lucas, combat airspace manager, who organized the zoo volunteer project. "We called up the zoo, and we're ready for whatever work they give us."

The work involved transporting logs, branches and debris, which were strewn across the zoo by Hurricane Ivan. Volunteers piled load after load into a pick-up truck and moved it to the zoo's preserve, where it will later be turned into mulch for use in exhibits.

Larry Gibson, Gulf Breeze Zoo maintenance crew member, said the park often gets military volunteers and appreciates the consistent support.

The 10 volunteers got the opportunity to walk around the zoo between loads.

Dinean Drewitt, secretary to the AFSOF AOC commander, brought her daughters, Amber and Arianne, who in addition to volunteering were excited to see the zoo animals.

"I'm hoping to touch the giraffe!" Amber said.

Mrs. Drewitt said the unit tries to organize a volunteer opportunity at least once every quarter.

The next big project the AFSOF AOC has lined up is collecting donations for the Children in Crisis temporary foster facility in Fort Walton Beach.