605th TES helps community with projects

  • Published
  • By Jamie Haig
  • 16 SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla --  The 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron has less than 80 members, but those members are volunteers in more than 30 community projects on their own time and at their own expense.

"We're a mature squadron with older members that understand the importance of giving back to the community," said Lt. Col. Michael Kometer, 605th TES commander. "It's important to them to give something outside of themselves."

One project they're particularly proud of is one they did after Hurricane Ivan at Mary Esther Elementary School.

The volunteers originally signed up to help move furniture back into classrooms. But they ended up doing that and helped build a nature walkway in the woods located behind the school.

"The walkway we built is more than a 100 yards long with a platform and benches," said Master Sgt. Mark Georgulis, 605th TES theater air control systems flight superintendent. "The platform and benches are built over water."

The squadron used debris from Hurricane Ivan from docks and houses left roadside to build the project. The project was completed in eight days.

"The school was thrilled because they now had somewhere to take their science classes," said Master Sgt. Darel White, 605th TES superintendent.

The 605th TES has been delivering Meals on Wheels weekly for the past six years for up to 12 elderly people throughout the county.

It also spent time at the Gulf Breeze Zoo after Hurricane Ivan doing clean-up and building bat and fox exhibit cages. When the state inspector said the cages weren't large enough, the 605th went back in and expanded them.

The squadron decides which projects it will work on during weekly staff meetings. Some project ideas come from deployed Airmen in the squadron.
While deployed, 605th Airmen will write back and advise of projects they'd like to work in that part of the world.

A 605th TES captain deployed to Bosnia asked for help providing toys and clothing for the needy children. While in Qatar, Sergeant Georgulis asked the squadron to send clothing for the wounded troops to wear, since most of their clothing would be cut or torn before or after they arrived at the hospital.

"It was incredible to see what our squadron sent these folks," Sergeant Georgulis. "I was so proud of everyone here."

"It's just the environment here," said Colonel Kometer. "the former commander, Lt Col Jason Ulm, played a big part as he usually led the expeditions. We ask organizations what they need help with and respond accordingly," he said. "It's amazing what extra people can do to help."